PHBH PLA-BLEND
Grade
also Nodax
Use when PLA-level stiffness and clarity are needed with PHBH toughness and compostability; cheaper than neat PHBH.
Values for the PLA-BLEND 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 |
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 |
PLA-BLENDThis page 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 PLA-BLEND?
PHBH PLA-BLEND is PHBH in the PLA-BLEND grade — use when PLA-level stiffness and clarity are needed with PHBH toughness and compostability; cheaper than neat PHBH. PHBH PLA-BLEND has a yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 64% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 2.5 GPa (0.363 Msi). PHBH PLA-BLEND has a density of 1.25 g/cm³ (0.0452 lb/in³), heavier than 64% 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 — 55/100, worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 55°C (131 °F), worse than 91% of polymer grades
PHBH PLA-BLEND properties
Typical room-temperature values for PHBH PLA-BLEND; 27 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 PLA-BLEND has a density of 1.25 g/cm³ (0.0452 lb/in³), heavier than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 1°C (34 °F).
Mechanical10
PHBH PLA-BLEND has a yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 64% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 2.5 GPa (0.363 Msi).
Thermal11
PHBH PLA-BLEND is rated for continuous service to 55°C (131 °F). It conducts heat at 0.19 W/m·K (0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 68% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 120 µm/m·K (66.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PHBH PLA-BLEND 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 PLA-BLEND 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 PLA-BLEND's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PHBH PLA-BLEND
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 PLA-BLEND — frequently asked
What is PHBH PLA-BLEND used for?
PHBH PLA-BLEND 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 PLA-BLEND?
PHBH PLA-BLEND has a typical yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 64% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PHBH PLA-BLEND easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 55% 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 PLA-BLEND be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). 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 PLA-BLEND?
Takes in-mould texture and water-based/UV inks after corona treatment; avoid hot alkaline cleaning and steam, and do not autoclave.
Can PHBH PLA-BLEND 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 PLA-BLEND?
PHBH PLA-BLEND is rated for continuous use to about 55°C (131 °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.