Polyglycolide
Synonyms: Polyglycolic acid, PGA
CAS No: 26124-68-5
Appearance: yellow particle
Minimal order quantity: 30 gram
Our pharmaceutical-grade polyglycolide features high tensile strength and excellent dimensional stability, making it ideal for applications requiring robust mechanical properties combined with predictable degradation timelines. The material undergoes hydrolytic degradation in biological environments, breaking down into glycolic acid which is naturally metabolized by the body.
The unique crystalline structure of polyglycolide contributes to its excellent gas barrier properties, particularly against oxygen. This characteristic, combined with its biocompatibility and biodegradability, makes it valuable not only for medical applications but also for sustainable packaging solutions and environmental projects.
Researchers and manufacturers value polyglycolide for its proven track record in surgical sutures, tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery systems, and orthopedic fixation devices. Its relatively fast degradation rate—typically 6-12 months depending on molecular weight and processing conditions—provides a suitable timeline for many clinical applications where medium-term structural support is required.
We offer this polymer in various molecular weight ranges and physical forms to accommodate specific project requirements. Our technical support team is available to assist you in selecting the optimal grade for your application and to provide guidance on processing parameters and storage conditions to maximize material performance.
| Test Items | Standards |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Yellow to light brown solid |
| Intrinsic viscosity（dL/g） | 1.2-1.5 |
| Melting point(℃) | 220-240 |
| Melt index(g/10min) | 15-25 |
| Solvent residue(ppm) | ≤100 |
| Water residue(ppm) | ＜100 |
| Monomer residue(%) | ≤2 |
| Total heavy metal content (ppm) | ≤10 |
| Tin Residue(ppm) | ≤30 |
| Acid value (pH value) | ＞6.5 |
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
PGA is primarily used in absorbable surgical sutures, tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery systems, and biodegradable packaging. It is also used in oil and gas extraction (as temporary blocking agents) and controlled-release agricultural films.
PGA degrades through hydrolysis, breaking down into glycolic acid, which is naturally metabolized in the body. The degradation time depends on molecular weight, crystallinity, and environmental conditions.
Compared to PLGA, PLLA, and PCL, PGA has faster degradation, higher crystallinity, and greater mechanical strength, making it ideal for applications requiring temporary structural support.
PGA degrades within weeks to months, depending on molecular weight, crystallinity, and exposure to water or bodily fluids.
PGA has a Tg of around 35–40°C and a melting point of approximately 220–230°C, giving it good thermal stability.
PGA has limited solubility in most organic solvents but can dissolve in fluorinated or halogenated solvents like hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP).
Yes, PGA can be tailored by adjusting molecular weight, crystallinity, and copolymer ratios to meet different industry needs, such as PGA-PCL.
Yes, high-purity PGA is manufactured under ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 standards for quality control.
The shelf life is typically 12–24 months when stored properly.
Lead times vary based on stock and customization but typically range from 2 to 6 weeks.