Degradable Polymers. II. Synthesis, Characterization, and Degradation of an Aliphatic Thermoplastic Block Copolyester

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Abstract
A degradable aliphatic thermoplastic elastic block copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(ethylene succinate), was synthesized by a two-step process with polycondensation and chain extension. Fibers of the block copolymer were extruded at 95°C and cold drawn to yield an oriented product. These fibers degraded in vitro at 37°C. The degradation process was hydrolysis of the amorphous parts which induced a rapid loss of tensile strength (to 7% of the original value in 10 days) but no significant weight loss. The hydrolysis involved chain scission, as shown by GPC, and “selective” degradation, as shown by DSC and 1H-NMR.