PLGA
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)
Glass Transition (Tg)
40–60 °C
Melting Point (Tm)
— (usually amorphous)
Density
1.30–1.40 g/cm³
CAS Number
26780-50-7
Recycling Code
♺ 7
Category
Biodegradable
Repeat Unit
–[O–CH(CH₃)–CO]ₓ–[O–CH₂–CO]ᵧ–
The repeating unit is the smallest structural fragment whose repetition builds the whole chain. Subscripts show the relative share of each unit in copolymers.
Key Properties
Degradation rate tunable from weeks to years purely by the LA:GA ratio — the single most used polymer in controlled drug delivery; FDA-approved.
Applications
Controlled-release microspheres, tissue-engineering scaffolds, implants.