Abstract
The molecular weight of polyglycolic acid(PGA) suture materials was determined by Wu and Tuminello's method from dynamic melt rheological properties. The Plateau modulus, G and entanglement molecular weight(M) were 2.82 ×10 dyne/㎠ and 1.6 ×10 , respectively. The melt flow activation energy ranged from 31 to 44 kcal/mole for different molecular weights. After spinning at 245℃, the weight average molecular weight of PGA was decreased to one half of that before spinning. The tenacity increased with weight average molecular weight(M) until M reached 4.0 ×10 , but above this M it showed almost a constant value(0.8 GPa).
