Electrostatic Spinning Preparation and Mechanical Properties of PLGA Fibers and Fiber Membrane

PLGA (polylactic-co-glycolic acid) is an ideal material for biodegradable medical suture. PLGA fibers and fiber membrane was prepared by using electrostatic spinning, the surface morphology of PLGA fibers and fiber membranes was observed by SEM, and mechanical properties of PLGA fibers and fiber membranes were tested by self-developed micro-force loading system. Experimental results were found that the arrangement of PLGA fibers due to surface tension and friction between fibers was the main factor on mechanical properties of PLGA fibers. The tensile strength of two fibers in winding arrangement was 1.81 times of fibers arranged in parallel at a given number. The tensile strength of three fibers in winding arrangement was 1.25 times of fibers arranged in parallel at a given number. For 80.6 % porosity and 1.028-5.764 mm width PLGA fiber membranes, tensile strength was 1.06-1.47 MPa, tensile modulus was 9.14-13.6 MPa, and elongation at break was 10.8 % to 11.6 %. The tension of fiber membranes increased with its width.