Improvement of flexural strengths of poly(L-lactic acid) by solid-state extrusion

Jung Yul Lim, Soo Hyun Kim, Soonho Lim, Young Ha Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Solid-state extrusion technique was employed for the improvement of flexural strengths of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) that is currently used as materials for various internal fixation devices. PLLA was vacuum compression molded to have two different crystallinities, from which cylindrical billets of various diameters were machined. Solid-state extrusion of billets was performed at 130°C with various drawing rates. Throughout the whole processes the decrease in molecular weight was significantly suppressed to be about 10%. Both flexural strength and flexural modulus increased with increasing crystallinity of the billet, draw ratio, and drawing rate up to the maximum values of 221 MPa and 8.4 GPa, respectively. Structural investigations showed that the increase in flexural strength and modulus was due to the developments in orientation and crystallinity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2447-2453
Number of pages7
JournalMacromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Volume202
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001 Aug 4
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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