Poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) is a biodegradable polyester with high crystallinity, excellent mechanical properties, and hydrolytic degradability. The intrinsic viscosity range supports moderate to high molecular weight performance, influencing degradation behavior and mechanical strength in biodegradable polymer research.
This PGA product has a molecular weight of >100,000 and is supplied as light yellow to tan pellets. It is useful for research involving biomedical materials, scaffolds, drug delivery systems, packaging films, engineering plastics, and polymer blend studies. Under alkaline conditions, this product is reported to decompose in 6 months at 37°C at pH 9.0.
Key Properties
- Biodegradable polyester with high crystallinity
- Useful for hydrolytic degradation and biodegradable polymer research
- Product Number: 06525
- CAS Number: 26124-68-5
- Linear formula: H(OCH2CO)nOH
- Molecular formula: (C2H4O3)x
- Molecular weight: >100,000
- Product title intrinsic viscosity range: i.v. 1.0-2.0
- Specification inherent viscosity: 1.0-1.4 dL/g
- Synonyms: polyglycolide, PGA
- Glass transition temperature (Tg): 36°C
- Melting range: 205-235°C
- Appearance: Light yellow to tan pellets
Applications
Biomedical Materials Research
Used in research involving biodegradable materials for sutures, scaffolds, and drug delivery systems. Suitability for any medical, clinical, implantable, or regulated use must be independently validated.
Scaffold & Resorbable Polymer Studies
Useful for evaluating hydrolytic degradability, crystallinity, and mechanical strength in scaffold and resorbable polymer research.
Packaging Film Research
May be used in biodegradable packaging film studies where hydrolytic degradation, mechanical properties, and film performance are being evaluated.
Engineering Plastics
Applicable to polymer blend research where PGA may be evaluated for toughness, crystallinity, and biodegradable thermoplastic performance.
Polymer Characterization
Suitable for laboratory studies involving intrinsic viscosity, thermal behavior, degradation rate, and comparative testing of aliphatic polyester materials.
Solubility & Compatibility
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Soluble in: HFIP and HFA-sesquihydrate
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Polymer type: Biodegradable aliphatic polyester
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Degradation behavior: Hydrolytically degradable; reported to decompose in 6 months at 37°C at pH 9.0
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Moisture sensitivity: Hygroscopic; protect from moisture exposure
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Compatibility: Performance depends on solvent system, temperature, moisture exposure, processing conditions, additives, and target application
Final material behavior should be evaluated under the intended formulation, processing, and application conditions.
Preparation Tips
- Confirm compatibility with the intended solvent, polymer blend, additive package, or processing system before scale-up.
- Protect the material from moisture during weighing, transfer, storage, and processing.
- Allow cold material to equilibrate before opening when needed to reduce condensation risk.
- Evaluate thermal behavior and degradation behavior under target processing or test conditions.
- Document solvent, concentration, temperature, humidity exposure, drying, and processing conditions for reproducible results.
Handling & Storage
- Exercise normal care when handling this material.
- Store at -20°C; product specification lists storage temperature as <0°C.
- Keep container tightly closed when not in use.
- Protect from moisture uptake.
- Use clean, dry tools to prevent contamination.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Poly(glycolic acid) used for?
Poly(glycolic acid) is used in research involving biodegradable polymers, scaffolds, drug delivery systems, packaging films, engineering plastics, and polymer blends.
2. What is the molecular weight of this PGA product?
The live product specifications list the molecular weight as greater than 100,000.
3. What is the inherent viscosity of this product?
The product title lists i.v. 1.0-2.0. The product specification PDF lists inherent viscosity as 1.0-1.4 dL/g.
4. What solvents is Poly(glycolic acid) soluble in?
This product is listed as soluble in HFIP and HFA-sesquihydrate. Compatibility should be evaluated under the intended method or formulation conditions.
5. Is this product suitable for medical or clinical use?
This material is useful for biomedical materials research. Suitability for any medical, clinical, diagnostic, implantable, or regulated use must be independently validated for the intended application.
6. How should Poly(glycolic acid) be stored?
Store cold at -20°C, keep the container tightly closed, and protect from moisture. The product specification lists storage temperature as <0°C.
Safety & Documentation
This product is listed as harmless under normal precautions and hygroscopic. Exercise normal care when handling this material and refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), product specification, and Certificate of Analysis for safety, handling, and lot-specific guidance.
