PBAT
PBAT is a flexible, biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester with 30 MPa tensile strength, 650% elongation, Shore D 32 hardness, a 0.09 GPa modulus and a 55 °C service temperature.
Reference datasheet — PBAT is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
PBAT grades and fills
PBAT is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Injection-moulding grade | Pick for injection-moulded cutlery, caps and toughening masterbatch where fill length matters more than melt strength. | 9 | 22 | 550 | 33 Shore D |
Extrusion-coating / paper-lamination grade | Chosen for compostable paper cup and lunchbox coating: low viscosity, good neck-in control and paper adhesion. | 10 | 25 | 600 | 32 Shore D |
UV-stabilised agricultural mulch-film grade | Stabilised (often carbon-black or HALS-modified) grade tuned for a controlled field life of one growing season. | 10 | 26 | 550 | 32 Shore D |
Starch-blend compound | Bio-content and cost-driven blend for shopping bags; faster composting but higher moisture sensitivity. | 11 | 16 | 320 | 40 Shore D |
Mineral (CaCO₃ 20–40 %) filled compound | Lowest-cost compostable bag compound; stiffer and cheaper but loses tear strength and elongation. | 12 | 15 | 300 | 42 Shore D |
PLA/PBAT alloy compound (PLA-rich) | PBAT used as impact modifier in PLA-dominant compounds for stiffer bags, cutlery and thermoformed trays. | 32 | 180 | 62 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PBAT is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FILMDefault | Film grade | Supply form |
CE | Chain-extended / branched high-melt-strength grade | Certification |
FOOD | Food-contact / certified compostable grade | Certification |
What is PBAT?
PBAT is a flexible, biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester with 30 MPa tensile strength, 650% elongation, Shore D 32 hardness, a 0.09 GPa modulus and a 55 °C service temperature. It is used as the ductile phase in compostable film — on its own or blended with PLA, starch and CaCO₃ — and is supplied in film, injection, chain-extended, extrusion-coating, UV-mulch and food-contact conditions. The low modulus and low service temperature rule out structural parts, and it hydrolyses if not dried before processing. PBS or a PLA blend is the alternative where more stiffness is required. PBAT has a density of 1.26 g/cm³ (0.0455 lb/in³), heavier than 66% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -30°C (-22 °F). PBAT has a yield strength of 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 650% and the elastic modulus is 0.09 GPa (0.0131 Msi).
What is PBAT used for?
- compostable shopping bags
- mulch film
- food packaging film
- PLA blend toughening agent
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 650%, better than 94% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 10 MPa (1.45 ksi), worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 55°C (131 °F), worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 60/100, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
PBAT properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PBAT has a density of 1.26 g/cm³ (0.0455 lb/in³), heavier than 66% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -30°C (-22 °F).
Mechanical9
PBAT has a yield strength of 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 650% and the elastic modulus is 0.09 GPa (0.0131 Msi).
Thermal10
PBAT is rated for continuous service to 55°C (131 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 170 µm/m·K (94.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 89% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PBAT takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
PBAT's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PBAT is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PBAT
Is PBAT easy to machine?
Rarely machined — too soft and gummy; if needed use very sharp tools, high speed, low feed and chilled parts.
Can PBAT be welded?
Excellent heat sealability at 110–140 °C; ultrasonic and hot-bar sealing both work, and it seals well to PLA and coated paper.
Can PBAT be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 60–70 °C before processing (hydrolysis risk), extrude at 155–190 °C with low shear; blown film runs at BUR 2.5–4 and drawdown below 10 µm on chain-extended grades.
PBAT 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,4-butanediol (BDO) residuediol component, ~50 mol% of all repeat units | 30 – 38 | 34 |
| adipic acid residuealiphatic diacid; sets flexibility and biodegradation rate | 25 – 34 | 30 |
| terephthalic acid (PTA) residuearomatic diacid, ~44–50 mol% of diacid; gives strength and Tm | 30 – 40 | 36 |
| chain extender (e.g. epoxy/isocyanate typrocess additives; grade dependent | 0 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
What surface finishes work on PBAT?
Corona treat to 38–42 dyn/cm before flexo printing or lamination; use only compostable-certified inks/adhesives to keep EN 13432 / GB/T 38082 compliance.
How much does PBAT cost?
PBAT is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PBAT — frequently asked
What is PBAT used for?
PBAT is typically used for compostable shopping bags, mulch film, food packaging film and PLA blend toughening agent. In short: toughest compostable film polyester; 650% elongation; PLA toughening additive.
What is the yield strength of PBAT?
PBAT has a typical yield strength of 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PBAT easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades). Rarely machined — too soft and gummy; if needed use very sharp tools, high speed, low feed and chilled parts.
Can PBAT be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent heat sealability at 110–140 °C; ultrasonic and hot-bar sealing both work, and it seals well to PLA and coated paper.
What surface finishes work on PBAT?
Corona treat to 38–42 dyn/cm before flexo printing or lamination; use only compostable-certified inks/adhesives to keep EN 13432 / GB/T 38082 compliance.
Can PBAT be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 3–4 h at 60–70 °C before processing (hydrolysis risk), extrude at 155–190 °C with low shear; blown film runs at BUR 2.5–4 and drawdown below 10 µm on chain-extended grades.
What is the maximum service temperature of PBAT?
PBAT is rated for continuous use to about 55°C (131 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PBAT cost?
PBAT is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ecoflex F Blend C1200 product information — BASF (2023)
- PBAT TH801T/TH803T — (Xinjiang Blue Ridge Tunhe) (2023)
- ASTM D6400 Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted — ASTM (2023)
- EN 13432 Packaging — Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation — CEN (2000)
- Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers (aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters chapter) — Wiley/De Gruyter (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.