PBSA CACO3
Reinforced grade
CACO3 = 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.
Values for the CACO3 condition
Other PBSA grades and fills
PBSA is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at PBSA.
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 |
CACO3This page 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 |
What is PBSA CACO3?
PBSA CACO3 is PBSA in the CACO3 grade — choose for stiffer, cheaper sheet, tableware and thick film where nucleation and dimensional stability help offset lost ductility. PBSA CACO3 has a yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 17 MPa (2.47 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 120% and the elastic modulus is 0.7 GPa (0.102 Msi). PBSA CACO3 has a density of 1.45 g/cm³ (0.0524 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -43°C (-45 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 82/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 58°C (136 °F), worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.45 g/cm³ (0.0524 lb/in³), worse than 86% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 14 MPa (2.03 ksi), worse than 84% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades
PBSA CACO3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PBSA CACO3; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PBSA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
PBSA CACO3 has a density of 1.45 g/cm³ (0.0524 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -43°C (-45 °F).
Mechanical12
PBSA CACO3 has a yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 17 MPa (2.47 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 120% and the elastic modulus is 0.7 GPa (0.102 Msi).
Thermal10
PBSA CACO3 is rated for continuous service to 58°C (136 °F). It conducts heat at 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 110 µm/m·K (61.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical4
PBSA CACO3 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 CACO3 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 CACO3's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades); weldability very good (82/100); formability good (68/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PBSA CACO3
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.
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.
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 |
PBSA CACO3 — frequently asked
What is PBSA CACO3 used for?
PBSA CACO3 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 CACO3?
PBSA CACO3 has a typical yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 17 MPa (2.47 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PBSA CACO3 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 84% 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 CACO3 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (82/100). 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 CACO3?
Surface treats readily by corona for flexo printing and water-based inks; avoid hot-water or alkaline cleaning which hydrolyses the surface.
Can PBSA CACO3 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 CACO3?
PBSA CACO3 is rated for continuous use to about 58°C (136 °F), and briefly to 70°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.