PHBH INJ (Injection moulding grade)
Grade
also Nodax
Nucleated/heat-stabilised compound to speed the notoriously slow PHA crystallisation and shorten cycle time.
Values for the INJ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
INJThis page 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 INJ?
PHBH INJ is PHBH in the INJ grade — nucleated/heat-stabilised compound to speed the notoriously slow PHA crystallisation and shorten cycle time. PHBH INJ has a yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 76% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 1 GPa (0.145 Msi). PHBH INJ 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).
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 — 24 MPa (3.48 ksi), worse than 76% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 48/100, worse than 75% of polymer grades
PHBH INJ properties
Typical room-temperature values for PHBH INJ; 26 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 INJ 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 INJ has a yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 76% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 1 GPa (0.145 Msi).
Thermal11
PHBH INJ is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °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 INJ 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 INJ 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 INJ's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 75% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PHBH INJ
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 INJ — frequently asked
What is PHBH INJ used for?
PHBH INJ 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 INJ?
PHBH INJ has a typical yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 76% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PHBH INJ easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 75% 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 INJ 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 INJ?
Takes in-mould texture and water-based/UV inks after corona treatment; avoid hot alkaline cleaning and steam, and do not autoclave.
Can PHBH INJ 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 INJ?
PHBH INJ is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °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.