PHBH FOAM
Grade
also Nodax
FOAM = expanded PHBH beads / foam sheet grade
Compostable EPS/EPP replacement for protective packaging and insulated boxes.
Values for the FOAM condition
Other PHBH grades and fills
PHBH is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at PHBH.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FOAMThis page 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 |
What is PHBH FOAM?
PHBH FOAM is PHBH in the FOAM grade — compostable EPS/EPP replacement for protective packaging and insulated boxes. PHBH FOAM has a yield strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.45 MPa (0.0653 ksi) — weaker than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0017 Msi). PHBH FOAM has a density of 0.06 g/cm³ (0.0022 lb/in³), lighter than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 1°C (34 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 96% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.06 g/cm³ (0.0022 lb/in³), better than 88% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi), worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.01 GPa (0.0017 Msi), worse than 79% of polymer grades
PHBH FOAM properties
Typical room-temperature values for PHBH FOAM; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PHBH reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PHBH FOAM has a density of 0.06 g/cm³ (0.0022 lb/in³), lighter than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 1°C (34 °F).
Mechanical10
PHBH FOAM has a yield strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.45 MPa (0.0653 ksi) — weaker than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0017 Msi).
Thermal11
PHBH FOAM is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 120 µm/m·K (66.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PHBH FOAM 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 (55/100), worse than 94% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PHBH FOAM 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 FOAM's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PHBH FOAM
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.
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.
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 |
PHBH FOAM — frequently asked
What is PHBH FOAM used for?
PHBH FOAM 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 FOAM?
PHBH FOAM has a typical yield strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.45 MPa (0.0653 ksi) — weaker than 97% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PHBH FOAM easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% 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 FOAM be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). 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 FOAM?
Takes in-mould texture and water-based/UV inks after corona treatment; avoid hot alkaline cleaning and steam, and do not autoclave.
Can PHBH FOAM 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 FOAM?
PHBH FOAM is rated for continuous use to about 70°C (158 °F), and briefly to 110°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.