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PHBH TALC

Reinforced grade

also Nodax

TALC = mineral/talc-filled PHBH compound

Choose for lower cost, higher stiffness and faster crystallisation in rigid thin-wall parts.

Premium cost $$$

Values for the TALC 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Expanded PHBH beads / foam sheet grade
Compostable EPS/EPP replacement for protective packaging and insulated boxes.0.30.4512—
High 3HHx (flexible/soft) copolymer
Pick for LDPE-like flexibility: films, bags, soft tubing and elastomeric seals.—1535045 Shore D
Injection moulding grade
Nucleated/heat-stabilised compound to speed the notoriously slow PHA crystallisation and shorten cycle time.24264062 Shore D
TALCThis page
Mineral/talc-filled PHBH compound
Choose for lower cost, higher stiffness and faster crystallisation in rigid thin-wall parts.—248—
Low 3HHx (rigid) copolymer
Pick when stiffness and heat resistance matter more than toughness (rigid cups, cutlery, moulded lids).—301568 Shore D
PHBH/PLA blend compound
Use when PLA-level stiffness and clarity are needed with PHBH toughness and compostability; cheaper than neat PHBH.38402574 Shore D

What is PHBH TALC?

PHBH TALC is PHBH in the TALC grade — choose for lower cost, higher stiffness and faster crystallisation in rigid thin-wall parts. PHBH TALC has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi). PHBH TALC has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% 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 — 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), worse than 82% of polymer grades
  • Heavy — 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), worse than 75% of polymer grades

PHBH TALC properties

Typical room-temperature values for PHBH TALC; 10 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 TALC has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 1°C (34 °F).

Density1.35 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
Melting Temperature (Tm)140°C284 °F
Glass Transition (Tg)1°C34 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.4%
Water Absorption (Saturation)1%

Mechanical10

PHBH TALC has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus2.2 GPa0.32 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.4
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)24 MPa3.5 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)18 MPa2.6 ksi
Elongation at Break8%
Flexural Strength25 MPa3.6 ksi
Flexural Modulus2.4 GPa0.35 Msi
Izod Impact, Notched25 J/m0.47 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D58 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R90 HRR

Thermal11

PHBH TALC 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 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,600 J/kg·K0.38 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)80 µm/m·K44.4 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)80°C176 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa120°C248 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa55°C131 °F
Vicat Softening Point (B50)95°C203 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB (no halogen FR; burns with dripping)
Limiting Oxygen Index21%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)110°C230 °F

Electrical5

PHBH TALC is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength20 kV/mm508 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.02
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 89% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.

Corrosion ResistanceGood60/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceFair35/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood against water, oils, fats, alcohols and dilute acids at ambient; attacked by dilute alkali, hot water/steam (hydrolysis) and chlorinated solvents/chloroform (soluble); biodegrades in soil, compost and seawater by design.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PHBH TALC takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 98% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability8

PHBH TALC's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (60/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
WeldabilityVery good70/100
Formability (cold)Good60/100
PolishabilityFair40/100
Mold Shrinkage1%
Melt Flow Rate8 g/10 min
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)160°C320 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)50°C122 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with PHBH TALC

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) unitmol% of copolymer backbone85 – 9591
3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) unitmol%; higher 3HHx = softer, lower Tm5 – 159
nucleating agent / lubricant / stabilisecompound-dependent additives0 – 31

PHBH TALC — frequently asked

What is PHBH TALC used for?

PHBH TALC 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 TALC?

PHBH TALC has a typical yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is PHBH TALC easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% 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 TALC 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 TALC?

Takes in-mould texture and water-based/UV inks after corona treatment; avoid hot alkaline cleaning and steam, and do not autoclave.

Can PHBH TALC 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 TALC?

PHBH TALC 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.

Sources

  1. Green Planet PHBH resin grades and processing guide — Kaneka Corporation (2023)
  2. Nodax PHA (P3HB-co-3HHx) technical literature — Danimer Scientific / Procter & Gamble (originator) (2022)
  3. EN 13432 / ASTM D6400 — compostable plastics; ASTM D7081 marine biodegradation — CEN / ASTM (2020)
  4. Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers — polyhydroxyalkanoate property chapters — Wiley / De Gruyter (2020)
  5. 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.