PGA OIL
Additive grade
also Dexon
OIL = downhole dissolvable / oilfield tool grade
High-MW, high-crystallinity resin for frac plugs, balls and dissolvable sleeves that hydrolyze predictably in hot brine (60–120 °C).
Values for the OIL condition
Other PGA grades and fills
PGA is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at PGA.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PGA/PLA (or PBS) barrier compound | Compounded blend that adds PGA's barrier and heat resistance to PLA/PBS films and trays while lowering resin cost. | 62 | 70 | 30 | 80 Shore D |
OILThis page Downhole dissolvable / oilfield tool grade | High-MW, high-crystallinity resin for frac plugs, balls and dissolvable sleeves that hydrolyze predictably in hot brine (60–120 °C). | 105 | 115 | 6 | 86 Shore D |
PGA/PLA copolymer 90:10 | Copolymerizing ~10% L-lactide lowers crystallinity and stiffness and gives a softer, more pliable braided suture with a 3–5 week strength profile. | 380 | 600 | 25 | 82 Shore D |
Melt-spun fiber / suture grade | Pick when high drawn-fiber tenacity and a 2–4 week strength-retention profile are required (Dexon-type absorbable sutures, scaffolds). | 450 | 800 | 22 | 87 Shore D |
What is PGA OIL?
PGA OIL is PGA in the OIL grade — high-MW, high-crystallinity resin for frac plugs, balls and dissolvable sleeves that hydrolyze predictably in hot brine (60–120 °C). PGA OIL has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 7.5 GPa (1.09 Msi). PGA OIL has a density of 1.58 g/cm³ (0.0571 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 40°C (104 °F).
Advantages
- High strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), better than 97% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 7.5 GPa (1.09 Msi), better than 91% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 15/100, worse than 100% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.58 g/cm³ (0.0571 lb/in³), worse than 92% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 0.8%, worse than 80% of polymer grades
PGA OIL properties
Typical room-temperature values for PGA OIL; 25 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PGA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PGA OIL has a density of 1.58 g/cm³ (0.0571 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 40°C (104 °F).
Mechanical11
PGA OIL has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 7.5 GPa (1.09 Msi).
Thermal7
PGA OIL is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 0.22 W/m·K (0.127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 75 µm/m·K (41.7 µin/in·°F).
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), worse than 100% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PGA OIL takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 96% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
PGA OIL's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PGA OIL
Is PGA easy to machine?
Machines like a hard, brittle polyester — sharp tools, light depth of cut, no water-based coolant (hydrolysis); keep stock dried and sealed.
Can PGA be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate and IR welding work but the melt window is narrow (225–250 °C); above ~255 °C the polymer decomposes and generates gas/acid.
Can PGA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <50 ppm before processing, use short residence time, corrosion-resistant screws/hot runners, and a 70–110 °C mold for full crystallization; thermoform/orient just above Tg (50–80 °C).
What surface finishes work on PGA?
Solvent-free finishing only (mechanical trim, dry tumbling); avoid aqueous cleaning, steam and alkaline detergents, and use EtO or e-beam rather than autoclave sterilization.
PGA chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Sn (catalyst residue, as stannous octoatrestricted in medical grades | 0 – 0.02 | 0.01 |
| residual glycolide monomercontrols hydrolysis onset and color | 0 – 0.5 | 0.1 |
| glycolic acid repeat unit (—O—CH2—CO—)homopolymer of glycolide (1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione); ring-opening polymerization | balance | — |
PGA OIL — frequently asked
What is PGA OIL used for?
PGA OIL is typically used for resorbable surgical sutures, gas-barrier layer in PET/PLA bottles, oilfield degradable frac balls/plugs and medical scaffolds. In short: strongest resorbable polyester; fastest hydrolytic degradation; top-barrier bio-polyester.
What is the yield strength of PGA OIL?
PGA OIL has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PGA OIL easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Machines like a hard, brittle polyester — sharp tools, light depth of cut, no water-based coolant (hydrolysis); keep stock dried and sealed.
Can PGA OIL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate and IR welding work but the melt window is narrow (225–250 °C); above ~255 °C the polymer decomposes and generates gas/acid.
What surface finishes work on PGA OIL?
Solvent-free finishing only (mechanical trim, dry tumbling); avoid aqueous cleaning, steam and alkaline detergents, and use EtO or e-beam rather than autoclave sterilization.
Can PGA OIL be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <50 ppm before processing, use short residence time, corrosion-resistant screws/hot runners, and a 70–110 °C mold for full crystallization; thermoform/orient just above Tg (50–80 °C).
What is the maximum service temperature of PGA OIL?
PGA OIL is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F), and briefly to 110°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Kuredux PGA resin technical data and processing guide — Kureha Corporation (2023)
- PGA (polyglycolic acid) resin grades — Pujing Chemical (2024)
- Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers / Biopolymers: Polyesters — Wiley-VCH (2011)
- USP <861> Sutures — Diameter / Absorbable surgical suture monographs — USP (2022)
- ISO 10993 Biological evaluation of medical devices — ISO (2018)
- CAMPUS / Prospector biopolymer property listings — CAMPUS / UL Prospector (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.