PHBV NUC (Nucleated / talc-filled)
Additive grade
also Biopol
Use for faster crystallization, shorter injection cycles and better dimensional stability in moulded parts.
Values for the NUC condition
Other PHBV grades and fills
PHBV is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at PHBV.
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 | — |
NUCThis page 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 | — |
What is PHBV NUC?
PHBV NUC is PHBV in the NUC grade — use for faster crystallization, shorter injection cycles and better dimensional stability in moulded parts. PHBV NUC has a yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 2.6 GPa (0.377 Msi). PHBV NUC has a density of 1.32 g/cm³ (0.0477 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 2°C (36 °F).
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
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 78% of polymer grades
PHBV NUC properties
Typical room-temperature values for PHBV NUC; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PHBV reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PHBV NUC has a density of 1.32 g/cm³ (0.0477 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 2°C (36 °F).
Mechanical12
PHBV NUC has a yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 2.6 GPa (0.377 Msi).
Thermal11
PHBV NUC 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 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PHBV NUC 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 NUC 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 NUC's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PHBV NUC
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.
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.
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) | — |
PHBV NUC — frequently asked
What is PHBV NUC used for?
PHBV NUC 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 NUC?
PHBV NUC has a typical yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PHBV NUC 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 NUC 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 NUC?
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 NUC 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 NUC?
PHBV NUC 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.