Poly(DL-Lactide)
Also known as PDLLA · Poly(DL-lactic acid) · DL-Polylactide | CAS 51056-13-9
A fully amorphous polylactide built from a racemic D/L-lactide mix — no melting point, tunable degradation rate, and a choice of acid, ester, or hydroxyl end groups for sutures, implants, and drug-delivery microspheres.
- In stock — multiple IV/Mw grades & end-group options, MOQ 30 g
CAS 51056-13-9
Poly(DL-lactide) — amorphous
Appearance: White to pale-yellow particles
Structure: Amorphous, no Tm
Glass Transition: ≈ 40–60 °C
End Groups: Acid / Ester / Hydroxyl
ISO 9001:2015
Manufactured under certified quality management
Custom End Groups
Acid, ester, or hydroxyl termination on request
Sample to Bulk
30 g R&D samples up to ton-scale supply
Batch-Level COA
Lot-specific certificates of analysis on request
Vacuum-Sealed Shipping
Moisture-proof packaging protects against hydrolysis
CAS No.
51056-13-9
Molecular Formula
(C₆H₈O₄)ₙ
Glass Transition (Tg)
40–60 °C
Structure
Amorphous
MOQ
30 g
Typical values for our standard grade — exact figures vary by intrinsic-viscosity grade and end-group option. Request a batch-specific COA for order confirmations.
| CAS Number | 51056-13-9 |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | PDLLA · Poly(D,L-lactide) · Poly(DL-lactic acid) · DL-Polylactide |
| Molecular Formula (repeat unit) | (C₆H₈O₄)ₙ |
| Repeat Unit Weight | 144.13 g/mol |
| Appearance | White to pale yellow particles / powder |
| Structure | Amorphous — racemic D-lactide / L-lactide, no crystalline melting point |
| Glass Transition (Tg) | ≈ 40–60 °C, grade-dependent |
| Intrinsic Viscosity | 0.05 – 4.0 dl/g across available grades |
| End Groups | Acid, Ester, or Hydroxyl — selectable at order |
| Residual Monomer | ≤ 1% |
| Solubility | Soluble in chloroform, THF, acetone, ethyl acetate; insoluble in water |
| Storage Conditions | Sealed, cool & dry, protect from moisture and heat |
| Minimal Order Quantity | 30 g |
Need figures outside this range, or a certificate for a specific lot? Talk to technical sales →
Poly DL-lactide (PDLLA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. It is derived from a racemic mixture of D-lactide and L-lactide, resulting in an amorphous structure with no defined crystalline regions. This unique property gives PDLLA excellent flexibility and controlled degradation characteristics, making it ideal for applications that require gradual bioresorption.
PDLLA is commonly used in bioresorbable medical implants, surgical sutures, and drug delivery systems. Its ability to degrade into lactic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the human body, ensures safe absorption without causing toxicity. In pharmaceutical applications, PDLLA serves as a matrix for controlled drug release, allowing for precise medication dosing over time.
PDLLA is available in different molecular weights to suit specific processing needs. It can be customized to achieve desired mechanical and thermal properties for applications ranging from biomedical engineering to industrial 3D printing. The material is compatible with standard polymer processing techniques such as injection molding, extrusion, and electrospinning.
Choose IV/Mw grade and end-group chemistry
Intrinsic viscosity (IV) controls degradation rate and mechanical strength. End-group chemistry determines how the chain can be functionalized or conjugated.
0.05 – 0.3 dl/g
Low IV · PDLLA-L
Mw ≈ 2,000–20,000. Fast degradation — drug-delivery microspheres, coatings.
0.3 – 1.0 dl/g
Mid IV · PDLLA-M
Mw ≈ 20,000–80,000. General-purpose grade for microspheres and films.
1.0 – 2.5dl/g
High IV · PDLLA-H
Mw ≈ 80,000–200,000. Sutures and implants needing more mechanical strength.
2.5 – 4.0 dl/g
Ultra-high IV · PDLLA-XH
Mw > 200,000. Load-bearing fixation devices — screws, plates, anchors.
Acid-terminated
Free carboxyl end group — convenient handle for further conjugation with drugs, peptides, or PEG.
Ester-terminated
Capped, hydrophobic end group — improves hydrolytic stability for longer shelf life and slower initial degradation.
Hydroxyl-terminated
Free -OH end group — used as a reactive site for chain extension or block-copolymer synthesis.
Applications
Because it never fully crystallizes, PDLLA degrades faster and more uniformly than PLLA or PDLA — the property behind most of the uses below.
Bioresorbable sutures & implants
Higher-IV grades provide the mechanical strength needed for absorbable sutures, anchors, and fixation devices that resorb after healing.
Drug-delivery microspheres
Low-IV grades encapsulate active ingredients for controlled, sustained-release injectable formulations.
Tissue engineering scaffolds
Porous PDLLA scaffolds support cell attachment and growth for bone and soft-tissue repair research.
Dermal fillers (aesthetics)
Stimulates collagen production for facial volumizing treatments in medical cosmetology.
Anti-adhesion barriers
Used as a resorbable surgical adjuvant to reduce post-operative tissue adhesion.
Drug-eluting stent coatings
Applied as a controlled-release coating layer on coronary stents and other implantable devices.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
PDLLA degrades through hydrolysis into lactic acid, which is naturally metabolized by the body. The degradation rate depends on molecular weight, processing conditions, and the surrounding environment.
Yes, PDLLA is biocompatible and approved for medical use in various bioresorbable applications. It does not cause toxicity as it breaks down into lactic acid, a natural substance in the human body.
Yes, high-purity grades of PDLA are used in medical applications such as bioresorbable implants and controlled drug release systems. The material’s biocompatibility and controlled degradation make it ideal for these applications.
Yes, PDLLA is sensitive to moisture and heat, so it should be transported under controlled conditions to prevent premature hydrolysis or degradation.
Lead times vary depending on order size and customization requirements. Shipping conditions are optimized to ensure product integrity, with vacuum-sealed packaging and moisture-resistant storage solutions.
PDLLA is available in different molecular weights to suit various applications. Lower molecular weight grades degrade faster and are ideal for drug delivery, while higher molecular weight grades provide greater mechanical strength for medical implants and industrial applications.