Polycaprolactone | Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) | CAS 24980-41-4

Polycaprolactone (PCL) Polymer

Premium Biodegradable Solutions

Polycaprolactone (PCL) Polymer is a highly versatile, semi-crystalline, and fully biodegradable aliphatic polyester. Renowned for its exceptional flexibility, low melting point, and remarkably slow degradation rate, PCL has become a cornerstone material in advanced biomedical and industrial applications. Whether you are developing long-term medical implants, engineering controlled drug delivery systems, scaffolding for tissue engineering, or innovating in the 3D printing space, our medical-grade PCL delivers the reliability and performance your project demands.

Key Applications of Polycaprolactone (PCL)

  • Long-Term Implants: With a degradation time of up to 2–4 years, PCL is ideal for long-term resorbable sutures, bone fixation devices, and orthopedic implants that require sustained mechanical support.
  • Drug Delivery Systems: The slow hydrolytic degradation of PCL allows for highly controlled, sustained, and localized release profiles for therapeutic agents and pharmaceuticals.
  • Tissue Engineering: Highly biocompatible and easily processable, PCL serves as an excellent structural scaffold for cell growth, skin grafts, and regenerative medicine.
  • 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing: Boasting a low melting point (~60°C) and excellent melt-flow properties, PCL is a favorite for FDM 3D printing, shape-memory polymers, and rapid prototyping of medical devices.

Understanding Our PCL Grades: Intrinsic Viscosity (IV) & End Groups

Selecting the right Polycaprolactone grade is critical for your specific application. Our standard PCL products are Ester-terminated, providing excellent chemical stability and predictable reactivity. The primary differentiator between our grades is the Intrinsic Viscosity (IV), which directly correlates to the polymer's molecular weight:

Lower IV (0.20 – 0.43 dL/g) Lower molecular weight, resulting in lower melt viscosity. Ideal for coatings, thin films, and applications requiring faster processing or quicker degradation.
Higher IV (0.80 – 1.87 dL/g) Higher molecular weight, yielding superior mechanical strength, higher toughness, and a slower degradation rate. Perfect for load-bearing implants, robust 3D printed parts, and long-term scaffolds.

Standard Product List

Explore our comprehensive range of Ester-terminated PCL polymers below. Click on any Item Code to view detailed Technical Data Sheets (TDS) and specifications.

Item Code IV (dL/g) End Group
CL1002 0.20–0.26 Ester
CL1003 0.35–0.43 Ester
CL1007 0.80–1.00 Ester
CL1009 1.13–1.38 Ester
CL100H 1.53–1.87 Ester

Why Choose Our Polycaprolactone (PCL) Polymer?

  • High Purity & Biocompatibility: Manufactured under strict quality controls to meet the rigorous demands of medical and pharmaceutical applications.
  • Batch-to-Batch Consistency: Tight tolerances on Intrinsic Viscosity (IV) and molecular weight ensure reproducible results in your manufacturing process.
  • Custom Solutions: Need a specific IV, molecular weight, or alternative end-group (e.g., Hydroxyl, Carboxyl)? We offer custom synthesis and scale-up services.

Ready to Advance Your Project?

Whether you need a small research sample of Poly(ε-caprolactone) or bulk quantities of high-molecular-weight Poly(ε-caprolactone), our team of polymer experts is ready to assist you.