Alexei Volkov
Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic, semi-crystalline, biodegradable polyester with a melting point of about 60 °C. PCL is known for its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical strength. It is widely used in long-term implants, controlled drug release applications, and bone tissue engineering. PCL is also used in 3D printing, dental applications, and wound healing. PCL is an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel-based plastics, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. It is highly biodegradable and compostable, breaking down into harmless substances. While PCL is not made from renewable resources, it is a promising innovation in sustainable packaging, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and practical packaging solutions can coexist.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Plastic | Eco-friendly, biodegradable |
| Other Names | Polycaprolactone, Re-Form, Polydoh, Plastimake, NiftyFix, Protoplastic, InstaMorph, Polymorph, Shapelock, ReMoldables, Plastdude, TechTack, Friendly Plastic |
| Melting Point | 55-64 °C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | −60 to −62 °C |
| Composition | Synthetic polymer composed of repeating units of hexanoate |
| Additives | Can be mixed with starch to lower cost and increase biodegradability, or added as a plasticizer to PVC |
| Uses | 3D printing, packaging, sutures, implants, drug delivery, tissue engineering, dental splints, root canal filling, gene delivery, hobbyist modelling and fabrication |
| Benefits | Recyclable, non-toxic, highly biodegradable and compostable, minimal environmental impact, adaptable, biocompatible, higher toughness, good inflammatory reaction, slow resorption rate |
| Limitations | Slow degradation rate, poor mechanical properties, low cell adhesion, low WVP and oxygen permeability limiting use as coating material |
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What You'll Learn
PCL is a synthetic, semi-crystalline, biodegradable polyester
Polycaprolactone, more commonly known as PCL, is a synthetic, semi-crystalline, biodegradable polyester. It is composed of repeating units of hexanoate and has a low glass transition temperature of about −60 °C and a melting point of about 60 °C. PCL is not made from renewable resources, but it does have the capacity to completely degrade after six weeks of composting, breaking down into harmless substances such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. This makes it a promising alternative to traditional plastics, which can persist in the environment for centuries and contribute significantly to waste pollution.
PCL has a range of applications, including in the hobbyist market, where it is known by various brand names such as Re-Form, Plastimake, and Friendly Plastic. It is ideal for small-scale modelling and prototyping due to its physical properties, which include a nylon-like toughness when cool and a putty-like consistency when heated to 60 °C. PCL is also used in biomedical devices and sutures, as well as in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.
In the field of tissue engineering, PCL is combined with calcium phosphate-based ceramics and bioactive glasses to create hybrid biomaterials with improved mechanical properties, controllable degradation rates, and enhanced bioactivity. These composite scaffolds can be 3D printed into intricate designs, making them suitable for bone tissue engineering. PCL has also been investigated for its potential in facial anti-ageing treatments, as it can stimulate collagen production to reduce signs of volume loss and contour laxity.
Additionally, PCL is used in packaging materials, particularly in sustainable and food packaging solutions. Its pliability and compatibility with other biodegradable polymers make it a versatile option without compromising functionality. PCL can be mixed with starch to lower costs and further enhance biodegradability. Furthermore, PCL is recyclable and non-toxic, making it an environmentally friendly choice for packaging.
Overall, PCL is a versatile and biodegradable polyester with a wide range of applications, from modelling and prototyping to biomedical devices and sustainable packaging. Its unique properties, including its semi-crystalline structure, make it a valuable material in various industries, contributing to environmental sustainability and innovative solutions.
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PCL is used in eco-friendly, sustainable packaging
As the world becomes increasingly aware of the negative impact of plastics on the environment, companies are turning to biodegradable plastics as a more sustainable alternative. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic, semi-crystalline, biodegradable polyester with a low melting point of about 60 °C. It is not made from renewable resources but does completely degrade after six weeks of composting, breaking down into harmless substances like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass.
PCL has been widely used in long-term implants, controlled drug release applications, and tissue engineering. However, it also has many applications in the packaging industry, where it is an excellent material for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions. PCL's pliability and compatibility with other biodegradable polymers make it suitable for various packaging needs without compromising functionality.
One of the benefits of using PCL in packaging is its biodegradability, which helps reduce waste pollution. PCL is also recyclable and non-toxic, making it ideal for food packaging. Its low water vapour permeability (WVP) and oxygen permeability limit its use as a coating material, but it can be modified with inorganic nanofillers to improve its barrier characteristics. PCL is also compatible with a range of other materials, such as starch, which can lower its cost and increase biodegradability.
PCL is a versatile material that can be processed into various forms, such as films, coatings, and 3D-printed objects. Its unique properties, such as its hydrophobicity and slow degradation rate, make it suitable for specific applications, such as in the production of speciality polyurethanes, where it imparts good resistance to water, oil, solvents, and chlorine.
Overall, PCL is a promising alternative to traditional plastics for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions. Its biodegradability, recyclability, and compatibility with other materials make it a versatile and functional material that can help reduce the environmental impact of the packaging industry.
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PCL is compatible with other biodegradable polymers
Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic aliphatic polyester that is biodegradable. It is compatible with a range of other materials, including other biodegradable polymers. PCL can be mixed with starch to lower its cost and increase biodegradability. Its specific heat and conductivity are low enough that it is safe to handle by hand at 60 °C, making it ideal for small-scale modelling and fabrication.
PCL is widely used in long-term implants and controlled drug release applications. Its biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and processability make it a standout amongst the most widely recognised synthetic polymers in bone tissue engineering. PCL is also used in dental applications, such as "night guards" (dental splints) and root canal filling.
PCL has a very slow degradation rate, which, combined with its hydrophobic nature, makes it suitable for long-term implants and drug delivery systems. PCL is also used in food packaging, encapsulating agents, and agriculture. Its ability to form blends makes it a good candidate for applications as a biomaterial.
PCL can be mixed with other polymers to improve its mechanical properties, degradation rate, and bioactivity. For example, the incorporation of calcium phosphate-based ceramics and bioactive glasses into PCL has yielded a class of hybrid biomaterials with improved characteristics. PCL is also compatible with biological systems, having been FDA-approved for certain medical purposes.
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PCL is used in biomedical devices and sutures
Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic, semi-crystalline, biodegradable polyester with a melting point of about 60 °C. It is widely used in long-term implants and controlled drug release applications. PCL has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific applications in the human body, such as drug delivery devices, sutures, or adhesion barriers.
PCL is biocompatible and biodegradable, with a slow degradation rate that makes it ideal for biomedical devices and sutures. PCL-based products have been used in sutures for many years, with the advantage of reproducible slow degradation in biological tissue. The PCL-based suture Monocryl™ (Ethicon, Inc.; Somerville, New Jersey, USA) is widely used in several surgery fields. It maintains high tensile strength and induces minimal tissue reaction after implantation, making it a safe option.
PCL's specific heat and conductivity are low enough that it is not difficult to handle by hand at 60 °C. This makes it ideal for small-scale modelling and part fabrication, as well as rapid prototyping where heat resistance is not required. PCL can be softened with heat or dissolved with solvents like chloroform, making it suitable for re-treatment purposes.
In the field of tissue engineering, PCL has some shortcomings, such as poor mechanical properties and low cell adhesion. However, the incorporation of calcium phosphate-based ceramics and bioactive glasses into PCL has yielded hybrid biomaterials with improved mechanical properties, controllable degradation rates, and enhanced bioactivity suitable for bone tissue engineering. PCL has been used as a scaffold for tissue repair and has applications in the rapidly growing field of human aesthetics, such as reducing facial ageing signs through collagen stimulation.
PCL is also used in dental applications, such as root canal fillings, and has been investigated for use in organ replacement by 3D printing. The development of medical-grade PCL has opened up possibilities for its use in biomedical devices, with its excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability making it particularly suitable for sutures.
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PCL is used in dentistry
PCL, or polycaprolactone, is a synthetic, semi-crystalline, biodegradable polyester with a melting point of about 60 °C. It is widely used in long-term implants, controlled drug release applications, and tissue engineering.
In dentistry, PCL is used in root canal fillings and as a component of "night guards" (dental splints). PCL performs like gutta-percha, with similar handling properties, and can be softened with heat or dissolved with solvents like chloroform for re-treatment purposes.
PCL is also being investigated for its potential use in dentin tissue engineering. One study evaluated the effect of nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) synthesized from Elaeagnus angustifolia (EA) extract in PCL nanofibers (PCL/nHAEA) on the odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). The results showed that DPSCs may regenerate into complex tissue-forming cells when exposed to nHA, making it a promising candidate for pulp capping.
Furthermore, PCL has been used as a scaffold for tissue repair by tissue engineering, which is relevant in dentistry for gum tissue repair or regeneration. The specific heat and conductivity of PCL make it safe to handle at 60 °C, which is useful for small-scale modelling and fabrication in dental applications.
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Frequently asked questions
Eco plastic is a term used to refer to eco-friendly substitutes for plastic. These substitutes are biodegradable and have minimal environmental impact.
PCL, or Polycaprolactone, is a synthetic, semi-crystalline, biodegradable polyester with a low melting point of about 60 °C. It is commonly used in 3D printing, drug delivery, and wound healing applications.
Yes and no. While PCL is a type of eco plastic, not all eco plastics are PCL. There are several types of eco plastics, each with its unique set of properties and benefits.
