Terpolymers from lactide

The present invention is generally directed to a process for producing lactide-based polymers and the polymers produced by this process. The polymers of the present invention are terpolymers formed by the copolymerization of a lactide monomer, a linking monomer and an epoxy-terminated monomer. In one embodiment of the invention, the polymers may be formed from fluorine-containing monomers or aromatic ring-containing monomers. The disclosed materials may display improved hydrolytic and thermal characteristics as compared to previously known lactide-based materials. For example, the lactide based terpolymers may have a glass transition temperature over 60.degree. C. For instance, lactide-based thermoplastic terpolymers of the present invention can have a glass transition temperatures of about 80.degree. C. or higher. Lactide-based thermoset networks of the invention can have glass transition temperatures of up to about 200.degree. C

Copolymers from lactide

Disclosed is a process for producing lactide-based copolymers and copolymers produced by the process. The copolymers are formed by the copolymerization of a lactide monomer with a secondary material. In one embodiment, the secondary material can be derived from renewable resources, providing a product copolymer completely derived from renewable resources. The disclosed materials may display improved hydrolytic and thermal characteristics as compared to previously known lactide-based materials. Exemplary secondary materials that can be copolymerized with lactide can include polyhydroxy alkanoates, long chain primary alcohols, and depsipeptides