Influence of palmitic acid and temperature on the behaviour of polypropylene films for medical uses
Abstract
Medical products such as mesh implants should demonstrate high material quality and long service life in different
environments over several years. Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic widely used for medical applications due to its
mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and chemical resistance. This study examines the effect of thermal treatment on
the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of polypropylene homopolymer (PP-H) and random copolymer (PP-
RC), with and without the addition of palmitic acid (PA) to simulate lipid exposure during implantation. Mechanical and
thermal properties of PA-treated PP-H as analysed by tensile test, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric
analysis, showed a higher tensile strength, elastic modulus, and thermal stability than PP-RC. Fourier-transform-infrared
spectroscopy detected no significant chemical changes after thermal treatment, whereas in Raman spectroscopy changes in
the intensity of the peaks and new peaks due to PA were visible. In conclusion, PA incubation accelerated material deg-
radation, with PP-H demonstrating superior stability in the mechanical and thermal properties under the tested conditions.
Mehr zum Titel
| Titel | Influence of palmitic acid and temperature on the behaviour of polypropylene films for medical uses |
|---|---|
| Medien | Journal of Polymer Research |
| Verlag | Springer Nature Link |
| Herausgeber | Springer Nature Link |
| Heft | 32 |
| Band | 2025 |
| Verfasser | Prof. Dr. Vera Kozjak-Pavlovic, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexandru Sover |
| Seiten | 419 |
| Veröffentlichungsdatum | 06.11.2025 |
| Zitation | Kozjak-Pavlovic, Vera; Sover, Alexandru (2025): Influence of palmitic acid and temperature on the behaviour of polypropylene films for medical uses. Journal of Polymer Research 2025 (32), 419. DOI: 10.1007/s10965-025-04651-2 |