PHBV Tough
Grade
also Biopol
Tough = impact-modified / PBAT-PLA blended toughened compound
Select when secondary-crystallization embrittlement must be avoided — bags, flexible film, tough thin-wall parts.
Values for the Tough 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ToughThis page 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 | — |
What is PHBV Tough?
PHBV Tough is PHBV in the Tough grade — select when secondary-crystallization embrittlement must be avoided — bags, flexible film, tough thin-wall parts. PHBV Tough has a yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 120% and the elastic modulus is 0.7 GPa (0.102 Msi). PHBV Tough has a density of 1.26 g/cm³ (0.0455 lb/in³), heavier than 66% 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 service temperature — 70°C (158 °F), worse than 77% of polymer grades
PHBV Tough properties
Typical room-temperature values for PHBV Tough; 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 Tough has a density of 1.26 g/cm³ (0.0455 lb/in³), heavier than 66% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 2°C (36 °F).
Mechanical12
PHBV Tough has a yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 120% and the elastic modulus is 0.7 GPa (0.102 Msi).
Thermal11
PHBV Tough is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °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 Tough 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 Tough 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 Tough'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 Tough
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 Tough — frequently asked
What is PHBV Tough used for?
PHBV Tough 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 Tough?
PHBV Tough has a typical yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PHBV Tough 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 Tough 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 Tough?
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 Tough 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 Tough?
PHBV Tough is rated for continuous use to about 70°C (158 °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.