PLA/PCL composites manufactured from commingled yarns for biomedical applications.

Composites manufactured with textiles weaved with commingled yarns using PLA (polylactic acid) and PCL (polycaprolactone) fibres are promising candidates for connective tissue engineering. In this work, textiles were fabricated using PLA/PCL commingled yarns in a ratio of 3 to 1, which were subsequently consolidated by compression moulding to produce solid composite plates. Specimens were extracted from the composite plates and submitted to degradation testing by immersion in PBS fluid (phosphate-buffered saline) at different periods.

Mechanical properties, in vitro degradation and cytocompatibility of woven textiles manufactured from PLA/PCL commingled yarns.

The mechanical, thermal, and biological performance of fabrics manufactured with hybrid PLA/PCL commingled yarns were studied. Commingled hybrid yarns take advantage of the higher elastic modulus of PLA and the higher ductility and toughness of PCL to produce yarns and fabrics with high strength and ductility that is transferred to the woven textiles. Furthermore, PLA and PCL exhibit different degradation rates and also allow to tailor this property.