Evaluation of Sustainable P4MCL/PLLA Block Copolymers as PVC Replacement in Medical Plastics

Aliphatic polyesters are potential sustainable alternatives to PVC for use in medical devices, such as IV bags. Our candidate replacement of PVC-based IV bags use P4MCL, a sustainable polymer with demonstrated uses in mechanically robust materials. The goal of our project was to compare the mechanical and biocompatibility characteristics of P4MCL/PLLA star block copolymer TPEs with commercial PVC-based IV bags. P4MCL/PLLA TPEs were synthesized according to previously reported methods. Uniaxial tensile testing was conducted pre- and post-autoclave. Impact and tear resistance testing was performed on non-autoclaved specimens according to ASTM standards. Cytotoxicity was examined using NIH 3T3 Fibroblasts with an AlamarBlue assay. A student’s t-test was used to compare results with statistical significance of P < 0.05. PVC tended to be stiffer but P4MCL/PLLA was more extensible. The tensile properties for the P4MCL-based material did not change after autoclaving. When compared to PVC-based IV bags, the P4MCL/PLLA TPE demonstrated a lower peak force and average force but a greater elongation at break and total absorbed energy (P<0.05). P4MCL/PLLA, unlike PVC-based materials with DEHP plasticizer, was non-cytotoxic. In summary, P4MCL/PLLA has desirable mechanical and biocompatibility advantages compared to PVC making the material a potential sustainable alternative for medical grade plastics.