Bimodal molecular weight polyesters

PMSE 455

Sasa Andjelic, sandjeli@ethus.jnj.com and Benjamin D. Fitz. Procedural Implants, Worldwide R&D, Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson Company, Route 22 West, Somerville, NJ 08876
The absorbable polymer compositions presented in this study are physical blends of regular-to-high molecular weight polymer with a lower-to-medium molecular weight counterpart of the same material as a minor component. In the case of semi-crystalline polymers, enhanced processability during extrusion and/or injection molding operations, due to synergistically faster crystallization kinetics of the blends was found. The presence of lower molecular weight polymer does not affect the nucleation density of the original material, but greatly increases the growth rate of polymer spherulites. Binary blends of semi-crystalline and amorphous polymers described herein have also synergistically higher hydrolysis rates compared to individual components.