PHBH
also Nodax
PHBH (Nodax) is a bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer containing 3-hydroxyhexanoate comonomer, which lowers crystallinity and gives flexibility closer to PP and PE than to PHB.
Reference datasheet — PHBH 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.
PHBH grades and fills
PHBH 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expanded PHBH beads / foam sheet grade | Compostable EPS/EPP replacement for protective packaging and insulated boxes. | 0.3 | 0.45 | 12 | |
High 3HHx (flexible/soft) copolymer | Pick for LDPE-like flexibility: films, bags, soft tubing and elastomeric seals. | 15 | 350 | 45 Shore D | |
Injection moulding grade | Nucleated/heat-stabilised compound to speed the notoriously slow PHA crystallisation and shorten cycle time. | 24 | 26 | 40 | 62 Shore D |
Mineral/talc-filled PHBH compound | Choose for lower cost, higher stiffness and faster crystallisation in rigid thin-wall parts. | 24 | 8 | ||
Low 3HHx (rigid) copolymer | Pick when stiffness and heat resistance matter more than toughness (rigid cups, cutlery, moulded lids). | 30 | 15 | 68 Shore D | |
PHBH/PLA blend compound | Use when PLA-level stiffness and clarity are needed with PHBH toughness and compostability; cheaper than neat PHBH. | 38 | 40 | 25 | 74 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PHBH 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 / blown film grade | Supply form |
FOOD | Food-contact / compostability-certified grade | Certification |
MED | Medical / bioresorbable grade | Certification |
NATDefault | Unfilled / natural | Standard supply |
What is PHBH?
PHBH (Nodax) is a bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer containing 3-hydroxyhexanoate comonomer, which lowers crystallinity and gives flexibility closer to PP and PE than to PHB. It is chosen for marine- and compost-biodegradable film, injection-moulded parts, foam and food-contact items, with low-HHx, high-HHx, film, injection, talc-filled, PLA-blend, foam, food and medical conditions available. It is soft and moderately strong at 23 MPa tensile, 150 % elongation and Shore D 58, degrades thermally above roughly 175 °C and crystallises slowly, which lengthens cycle times. PHB or PLA blends give more stiffness. PHBH has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 1°C (34 °F). PHBH has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 23 MPa (3.34 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 0.8 GPa (0.116 Msi).
What is PHBH used for?
- flexible biodegradable packaging film
- drinking straws
- marine-degradable products
- compostable cutlery
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 96% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 60/100, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
PHBH properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PHBH has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 1°C (34 °F).
Mechanical10
PHBH has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 23 MPa (3.34 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 0.8 GPa (0.116 Msi).
Thermal11
PHBH is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °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).
Electrical5
PHBH is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 89% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PHBH takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 98% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PHBH's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (60/100).
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. PHBH is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PHBH
Is PHBH easy to machine?
Machinable but soft and heat-sensitive — sharp tools, high rake, air blast only, avoid frictional heat that melts/smears the cut.
Can PHBH be welded?
Heat sealing, hot-plate and ultrasonic welding all work within a narrow 150–170 °C window; solvent bonding possible with chlorinated solvents.
Can PHBH be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.05 % moisture, keep melt below ~175 °C and residence time short (hydrolytic/thermal chain scission); expect slow crystallisation, so use nucleated grades, 40–60 °C tools and longer hold times.
PHBH 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) unitmol% of copolymer backbone | 85 – 95 | 91 |
| 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) unitmol%; higher 3HHx = softer, lower Tm | 5 – 15 | 9 |
| nucleating agent / lubricant / stabilisecompound-dependent additives | 0 – 3 | 1 |
What surface finishes work on PHBH?
Takes in-mould texture and water-based/UV inks after corona treatment; avoid hot alkaline cleaning and steam, and do not autoclave.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PHBH in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Nodax
How much does PHBH cost?
PHBH is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PHBH — frequently asked
What is PHBH used for?
PHBH is typically used for flexible biodegradable packaging film, drinking straws, marine-degradable products and compostable cutlery. In short: most flexible PHA grade; marine-biodegradable polyolefin substitute; slow-crystallising film resin.
What is the yield strength of PHBH?
PHBH has a typical yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 23 MPa (3.34 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PHBH easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades). Machinable but soft and heat-sensitive — sharp tools, high rake, air blast only, avoid frictional heat that melts/smears the cut.
Can PHBH be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Heat sealing, hot-plate and ultrasonic welding all work within a narrow 150–170 °C window; solvent bonding possible with chlorinated solvents.
What surface finishes work on PHBH?
Takes in-mould texture and water-based/UV inks after corona treatment; avoid hot alkaline cleaning and steam, and do not autoclave.
Can PHBH be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.05 % moisture, keep melt below ~175 °C and residence time short (hydrolytic/thermal chain scission); expect slow crystallisation, so use nucleated grades, 40–60 °C tools and longer hold times.
What is the maximum service temperature of PHBH?
PHBH is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F), and briefly to 110°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PHBH cost?
PHBH is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- Green Planet PHBH resin grades and processing guide — Kaneka Corporation (2023)
- Nodax PHA (P3HB-co-3HHx) technical literature — Danimer Scientific / Procter & Gamble (originator) (2022)
- EN 13432 / ASTM D6400 — compostable plastics; ASTM D7081 marine biodegradation — CEN / ASTM (2020)
- Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers — polyhydroxyalkanoate property chapters — Wiley / De Gruyter (2020)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector biopolymer property listings — CWFG / UL (2024)
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.