PBS
PBS (polybutylene succinate) is a biodegradable aliphatic polyester with a density of 1.26 g/cm³, 34 MPa tensile strength, 300% elongation and a service temperature of 75 °C.
Reference datasheet — PBS 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.
PBS grades and fills
PBS is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PBS/starch blend | Lowest-cost compostable compound for shopping bags and mulch film where high bio-content and price matter more than strength. | 16 | 18 | 120 | 62 Shore D |
Mineral filled | Cost-down and stiffness-up compound for compostable trays, cutlery and thick-wall parts; sacrifices elongation and toughness. | 24 | 25 | ||
Poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) copolymer | Softer, lower-melting copolymer for flexible mulch film and soil-biodegradable applications where fast degradation and high elongation are needed. | 25 | 700 | 50 Shore D | |
toughened compostable alloy | Use when PLA rigidity/clarity is needed but PLA alone is too brittle; PBS acts as tough, flexible phase. | 40 | 42 | 90 | 72 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PBS is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FILM | Film / extrusion-coating grade | Supply form |
FOOD | Food-contact / compostable certified grade | Certification |
NATDefault | Unfilled / Natural | Standard supply |
What is PBS?
PBS (polybutylene succinate) is a biodegradable aliphatic polyester with a density of 1.26 g/cm³, 34 MPa tensile strength, 300% elongation and a service temperature of 75 °C. Engineers select it because it processes on conventional PE/PP equipment and gives PE-like mechanical behaviour in compostable film, injection-moulded items and coatings; grades on file include natural, film, PBSA copolymer, 30% mineral-filled, starch and PLA blends, and food-contact versions. The 115 °C melting point limits heat resistance, crystallization is slow so cycles are longer, and the ester backbone hydrolyses if the resin is not dried. PBAT is the alternative where higher film toughness and elongation are needed. PBS has a density of 1.26 g/cm³ (0.0455 lb/in³), heavier than 66% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -32°C (-26 °F). PBS has a yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 300% and the elastic modulus is 0.6 GPa (0.087 Msi).
What is PBS used for?
- compostable mulch film
- biodegradable packaging
- disposable cutlery/bags
- 3D printing filament
Advantages
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 300%, better than 81% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 75% of polymer grades
PBS properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PBS has a density of 1.26 g/cm³ (0.0455 lb/in³), heavier than 66% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -32°C (-26 °F).
Mechanical10
PBS has a yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 69% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 300% and the elastic modulus is 0.6 GPa (0.087 Msi).
Thermal11
PBS is rated for continuous service to 75°C (167 °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 120 µm/m·K (66.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
Chemical & Environmental2
UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PBS takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 96% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PBS's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (80/100).
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. PBS is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PBS
Is PBS easy to machine?
Machinable with sharp positive-rake tools and air cooling, but low stiffness and a 115 °C melting point make it gummy — light cuts and no coolant that promotes hydrolysis.
Can PBS be welded?
Excellent heat sealing, hot-plate, hot-air and ultrasonic welding; seals at low temperature (~110–130 °C), which is why it is used as a paper-cup coating.
Can PBS be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 60–80 °C (dew point ≤ -20 °C) to avoid hydrolytic MW loss; melt 160–200 °C, mold 20–40 °C; slow crystallization means longer cycles or nucleated grades, and blown film runs on LDPE-type lines.
PBS 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 |
|---|---|---|
| succinic acid (succinate unit)petro- or bio-based (fermentation) succinic acid | 45 – 60 | 58 |
| adipic acidonly in PBSA copolymer grades (typ. 10–25 mol % of diacid) | 0 – 25 | 0 |
| chain extender / catalyst residue (Ti, iMW build-up additives | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| 1,4-butanediol (butylene unit)balance of the C8H12O4 repeat unit | ≥ 40 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PBS?
Prints and heat-transfer decorates well after corona treatment; avoid solvent-based paints and hot alkaline cleaning, which attack the ester backbone.
How much does PBS cost?
PBS is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PBS — frequently asked
What is PBS used for?
PBS is typically used for compostable mulch film, biodegradable packaging, disposable cutlery/bags and 3D printing filament. In short: compostable PE-like polyester; low-temperature heat sealing; softer than PLA.
What is the yield strength of PBS?
PBS has a typical yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 69% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PBS easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades). Machinable with sharp positive-rake tools and air cooling, but low stiffness and a 115 °C melting point make it gummy — light cuts and no coolant that promotes hydrolysis.
Can PBS be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent heat sealing, hot-plate, hot-air and ultrasonic welding; seals at low temperature (~110–130 °C), which is why it is used as a paper-cup coating.
What surface finishes work on PBS?
Prints and heat-transfer decorates well after corona treatment; avoid solvent-based paints and hot alkaline cleaning, which attack the ester backbone.
Can PBS be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 60–80 °C (dew point ≤ -20 °C) to avoid hydrolytic MW loss; melt 160–200 °C, mold 20–40 °C; slow crystallization means longer cycles or nucleated grades, and blown film runs on LDPE-type lines.
What is the maximum service temperature of PBS?
PBS is rated for continuous use to about 75°C (167 °F), and briefly to 100°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PBS cost?
PBS is a standard-cost polymer ($$), 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
- BioPBS FZ71PM / FZ91PM / FD92PM technical data — PTT MCC Biochem (2022)
- Bionolle 1000/3000 series product data — Showa Denko (Resonac) (2020)
- EN 13432 Packaging — requirements for compostability — CEN (2000)
- GB/T 19277 / GB/T 38082 — SAC (2019)
- Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers (aliphatic polyesters chapter) — Wiley/De Gruyter (2020)
- CAMPUS-format thermoplastic property records (ISO 527/178/75/306) — CWFG (2023)
- PBS/PBAT (2025)
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.