PHBV
also Biopol
A PHA copolymer with valerate units introduced to reduce brittleness and lower the melting point versus pure PHB, giving more processable, tougher biodegradable resin historically commercialized as Biopol.
Reference datasheet — PHBV 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.
PHBV grades and fills
PHBV is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Impact-modified / PBAT-PLA blended toughened compound | Select when secondary-crystallization embrittlement must be avoided — bags, flexible film, tough thin-wall parts. | 20 | 120 | 55 Shore D | |
High valerate | Choose when ductility, film toughness and a lower processing temperature matter more than stiffness. | 21 | 20 | 68 Shore D | |
Natural-fibre / wood-flour filled | Cost-reduced, fully bio-based compound for rigid moulded goods where surface finish is secondary. | 25 | 2 | ||
Nucleated / talc-filled | Use for faster crystallization, shorter injection cycles and better dimensional stability in moulded parts. | 26 | 4 | ||
Low valerate | Pick for maximum stiffness, heat resistance and barrier; accept brittleness and narrow processing window. | 32 | 4 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PHBV 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 grade | Supply form |
FDA | Food-contact / compostable-certified grade | Certification |
MED | Medical / high-purity grade | Certification |
NATDefault | Unfilled / Natural | Standard supply |
What is PHBV?
A PHA copolymer with valerate units introduced to reduce brittleness and lower the melting point versus pure PHB, giving more processable, tougher biodegradable resin historically commercialized as Biopol. PHBV has a density of 1.25 g/cm³ (0.0452 lb/in³), heavier than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 2°C (36 °F). PHBV has a yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.92 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 1.8 GPa (0.261 Msi).
What is PHBV used for?
- compostable food packaging
- cosmetic containers
- coated paper/board
- biodegradable films
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 60/100, worse than 89% of polymer grades
PHBV properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PHBV has a density of 1.25 g/cm³ (0.0452 lb/in³), heavier than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 2°C (36 °F).
Mechanical12
PHBV has a yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.92 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 1.8 GPa (0.261 Msi).
Thermal11
PHBV is rated for continuous service to 95°C (203 °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 100 µm/m·K (55.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PHBV is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 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 PHBV takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 98% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PHBV's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. PHBV is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PHBV
Is PHBV easy to machine?
Machines like a brittle acrylic-grade thermoplastic — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and air cooling; avoid heat build-up above ~120 °C and support thin sections to prevent chipping.
Can PHBV be welded?
Hot-plate, ultrasonic, impulse and heat sealing all work within a narrow 150–180 °C window; solvent bonding is possible with chloroform-type solvents but rarely acceptable for food/medical use.
Can PHBV be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets 2–4 h at 70–80 °C, keep melt below ~185 °C and residence time short (thermal degradation to crotonic acid), mould at 45–65 °C and expect slow crystallization — nucleated grades cut cycle time markedly.
PHBV 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-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) unitsvalerate comonomer content sets Tm, stiffness and ductility | 2 – 14 | 7 |
| nucleating agent (talc / boron nitride)compound-dependent; 0 in pure resin | 0 – 20 | 2 |
| plasticizer / processing aidcitrate esters, lubricants in commercial compounds | 0 – 10 | 2 |
| 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) unitsmol% of copolymer backbone; balance of chain | ≥ 86 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PHBV?
Takes in-mould texture well; paints/inks need corona or primer, and parts should be conditioned a few days before assembly because post-mould crystallization increases stiffness and shrinkage.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PHBV in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Biopol
How much does PHBV cost?
PHBV 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.
PHBV — frequently asked
What is PHBV used for?
PHBV is typically used for compostable food packaging, cosmetic containers, coated paper/board and biodegradable films. In short: tougher than pure PHB; fully biodegradable polyester; narrow thermal processing window.
What is the yield strength of PHBV?
PHBV has a typical yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.92 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PHBV easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades). Machines like a brittle acrylic-grade thermoplastic — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and air cooling; avoid heat build-up above ~120 °C and support thin sections to prevent chipping.
Can PHBV be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Hot-plate, ultrasonic, impulse and heat sealing all work within a narrow 150–180 °C window; solvent bonding is possible with chloroform-type solvents but rarely acceptable for food/medical use.
What surface finishes work on PHBV?
Takes in-mould texture well; paints/inks need corona or primer, and parts should be conditioned a few days before assembly because post-mould crystallization increases stiffness and shrinkage.
Can PHBV be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pellets 2–4 h at 70–80 °C, keep melt below ~185 °C and residence time short (thermal degradation to crotonic acid), mould at 45–65 °C and expect slow crystallization — nucleated grades cut cycle time markedly.
What is the maximum service temperature of PHBV?
PHBV is rated for continuous use to about 95°C (203 °F), and briefly to 120°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PHBV cost?
PHBV 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
- ENMAT Y1000P / Y3000P PHBV resin data — Ningbo Tianan Biologic Materials (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 21 / Engineered Materials Handbook — biodegradable polyesters — ASM International (2001)
- EN 13432 Packaging — requirements for compostable packaging — CEN (2000)
- CAMPUS / Prospector PHA-PHBV compound entries — CWFG / UL Solutions (2024)
- PHA/PHBV (2025)
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.