PBSA
PBSA is an adipate-modified poly(butylene succinate) copolymer in the bio-based polyester family, with lower crystallinity and far greater ductility than homopolymer PBS.
Reference datasheet — PBSA 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.
PBSA grades and fills
PBSA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High-melt-flow extrusion-coating / injection grade | Pick for paper-cup and paperboard extrusion coating or thin-wall injection where low melt viscosity and fast line speed are needed. | 11 | 18 | 500 | 44 Shore D |
Starch-filled compostable compound | Lowest-cost compostable shopping-bag compound; sacrifices strength, elongation and moisture stability for price and bio-content. | 11 | 14 | 250 | 52 Shore D |
Mineral (CaCO₃ / talc) filled grade, 20–40 % | Choose for stiffer, cheaper sheet, tableware and thick film where nucleation and dimensional stability help offset lost ductility. | 14 | 17 | 120 | 58 Shore D |
PBSA/PLA toughened compostable compound | Use when PLA stiffness and heat resistance are required but brittleness must be removed; PBSA acts as the soft phase. | 29 | 32 | 180 | 60 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PBSA is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
NAT-FILMDefault | Unfilled / natural film-blowing grade | Supply form |
FOOD | Food-contact / EN 13432 & FDA compliant grade | Certification |
UV | UV-stabilised agricultural mulch-film grade | Grade option |
What is PBSA?
PBSA is an adipate-modified poly(butylene succinate) copolymer in the bio-based polyester family, with lower crystallinity and far greater ductility than homopolymer PBS. Engineers use it where soft, tough biodegradable film or sheet is required and as a toughening modifier for PLA; it is supplied as film and high-melt-flow pellets with PLA-blend, starch-filled, CaCO3-filled, UV and food conditions. Very low stiffness (0.2 GPa modulus, 22 MPa tensile, 750 % elongation, Shore D 45) and a 55 °C service limit rule out structural parts, though sealing behaviour is excellent. PBS is the stiffer alternative. PBSA has a density of 1.24 g/cm³ (0.0448 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -43°C (-45 °F). PBSA has a yield strength of 13 MPa (1.89 ksi) and a tensile strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) — weaker than 86% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 700% and the elastic modulus is 0.22 GPa (0.0319 Msi).
What is PBSA used for?
- mulch film
- compost bags
- flexible biodegradable packaging
- PLA toughening modifier
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 700%, better than 96% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 55°C (131 °F), worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 13 MPa (1.89 ksi), worse than 86% of polymer grades
PBSA properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
PBSA has a density of 1.24 g/cm³ (0.0448 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -43°C (-45 °F).
Mechanical12
PBSA has a yield strength of 13 MPa (1.89 ksi) and a tensile strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) — weaker than 86% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 700% and the elastic modulus is 0.22 GPa (0.0319 Msi).
Thermal10
PBSA 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 180 µm/m·K (100 µin/in·°F).
Electrical4
PBSA is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 99% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PBSA takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 98% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PBSA's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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. PBSA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PBSA
Is PBSA easy to machine?
Machines poorly — very soft and rubbery; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and cooling air, or die-cut/laser-cut film instead.
Can PBSA be welded?
Excellent heat, impulse and ultrasonic sealing at 100–130 °C, well below other biopolymers; solvent bonding is not practical.
Can PBSA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets to <0.03 % moisture, keep melt 140–185 °C to avoid hydrolytic and thermal degradation; slow crystallisation demands cool moulds, long chill rolls and anti-block for film.
PBSA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| butylene succinate unit (1,4-butanediol mol% of ester repeat units | 60 – 85 | 75 |
| butylene adipate unit (1,4-butanediol + adipate comonomer lowers Tm and crystallinity | 15 – 40 | 25 |
| chain extender / catalyst residues (e.g.process additive, grade dependent | 0 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
| stabilisers, anti-block, slip additivesfilm grades | 0 – 2 | 0.5 |
What surface finishes work on PBSA?
Surface treats readily by corona for flexo printing and water-based inks; avoid hot-water or alkaline cleaning which hydrolyses the surface.
How much does PBSA cost?
PBSA is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PBSA — frequently asked
What is PBSA used for?
PBSA is typically used for mulch film, compost bags, flexible biodegradable packaging and PLA toughening modifier. In short: softest biodegradable PBS type; lowest-temperature heat sealing; PLA impact modifier.
What is the yield strength of PBSA?
PBSA has a typical yield strength of 13 MPa (1.89 ksi) and a tensile strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) — weaker than 86% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PBSA easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades). Machines poorly — very soft and rubbery; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and cooling air, or die-cut/laser-cut film instead.
Can PBSA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent heat, impulse and ultrasonic sealing at 100–130 °C, well below other biopolymers; solvent bonding is not practical.
What surface finishes work on PBSA?
Surface treats readily by corona for flexo printing and water-based inks; avoid hot-water or alkaline cleaning which hydrolyses the surface.
Can PBSA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets to <0.03 % moisture, keep melt 140–185 °C to avoid hydrolytic and thermal degradation; slow crystallisation demands cool moulds, long chill rolls and anti-block for film.
What is the maximum service temperature of PBSA?
PBSA is rated for continuous use to about 55°C (131 °F), and briefly to 70°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PBSA cost?
PBSA is a standard-cost polymer ($$), 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 FD92PM / FD92PB technical data — PTT MCC Biochem / Mitsubishi Chemical (2023)
- Bionolle #3000 series (PBSA) product data — Showa Denko / Resonac (2021)
- Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers — poly(butylene succinate) copolyesters — Wiley (2020)
- EN 13432 Packaging — requirements for compostability — CEN (2000)
- PBS/PBSA/PBAT (2026)
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.