polylactic acid; poly(lactic acid)

Uses

• 3D printing
• for use as transient medical implants
  • anchors, screws, plates, pins, rods, mesh
  • breaks down inside the body within 6 months to 2 years

Structure

• thermoplastic polyester

Notes

• economically produced from renewable resources including cornstarch or sugar cane
• considered a bioplastic

More general terms

• polymer
• plastic