| The factors involved in Environmental Stress Cracking (ESC) include surface oxidation, residual stress, soft segment chemistry, molecular morphology, the presence of MDMs and foreign body giant cells, and an unknown biological element. This study investigates the link between the internal molecular phase structure of polycarbonate urethanes (PCNUs), their mechanical strain and cell-induced biodegradation. PCNUs with varying chemical compositions were synthesized and their bulk and surface properties were characterized using GPC, contact angle analysis, XPS and ATR-FTIR. The macrophage response to the different polymers under different strain levels was tested by a DNA assay, an esterase test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The biodegradation of 14C-labelled PCNUs monitored by radiolabel release showed a strong dependence on polymer structure and H-bonding as well as the different strain levels. |
