Influence of polymer processing technique on long term degradation of poly(ε-caprolactone) constructs

Films, fibers, sponges and disks, based on poly(ε-caprolactone), PCL were prepared using solvent-casting, electrospinning, supercritical fluid processing and melt-compression, respectively. The extent of degradation was determined by measuring the change in morphology, crystallinity and molecular weight (MW). The influence of processing method, MW and drug presence on degradation rate was also evaluated. The different processing techniques produced samples of various morphology and crystallinity. Nevertheless, the differences in degradation rate were not so significant during the advanced stage (18-36 months), while some differences existed during the initial stage (up to 18 months). MW had an important effect on degradation rate, while drug did not. The low MW disks had a degradation rate that was lower by one order of magnitude than high MW constructs.