Abstract
This work investigated the effect of hydrolytic degradation on mechanical properties in tension and impact strength of poly (Ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL). PCL specimens produced by injection processing were submersed in water and exposed at 40°C into a vacuum heater. The specimens were collected from the heater after periods of 15, 30 and 45 days, respectively, followed by mechanical tests. According to the data acquired for Elastic Modulus, specimens exposed for 15 and 45 days presented a decrease of 9.65% and 13.65%; for Yield Stress a decrease of 9.08% and 10.38% was observed at same period of time compared with unexposed specimens. Concerning the Elongation at Break tests unexposed PCL reached the maximum limit of machine without fracturing while exposed specimens had their elongation at break capability decreased. Unexpected results were observed for the specimens exposed for 30 days which presented an increase of 3.43%, 3.12% and 5.88% for Elastic Modulus, Yield Stress and Strength at Break. Impact Strength presented similar trend to that of mechanical properties in tension. It is suggested that these trends are connected with morphological changes which took place in the amorphous and crystalline phases of PCL during hydrolytic degradation.
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