Resorbable materials of poly(L‐lactide). V. Influence of secondary structure on the mechanical properties and hydrolyzability of poly(L‐lactide) fibers produced by a dry‐spinning method

Fibers of poly( L ‐lactide) (PLLA) with a loosened fibrillar structure were produced by solution spinning from a good solvent (chloroform) in the presence of various additives (camphor, polyurethanes). No decrease in mechanical properties was observed as compared with PLLA fibers spun from a good solvent only. In vitro degradation studies showed that the rate of degradation of PLLA fibers with the loosened fibrillar structure was increased approaching that found for fibers composed of the homopolymer of glycolide or copolymers of glycolide and L‐lactide. Helices on the fiber surface caused by melt fracture during spinning of the fibers leads to higher knot strengths of the hot‐drawn PLLA fiber up to 70% of the tensile strength.