Goodfellow PHB Biopolymer (PHB) Goodfellow Biodegradable Polymers

Product Description

PHB and its copolymers with polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) are melt-processable semi-crystalline thermoplastics made by biological fermentation from renewable carbohydrate feedstocks. They have been described as "the first example of a true thermoplastic from biotechnology" and are also biodegradeable. Although quite stable under everyday conditions they degrade slowly in the body and when composted or in landfill sites. [The HB monomer unit is a normal constituent of human blood.]

Their chemical resistance is somewhat limited as they are attacked by acids and alkalis and dissolve in chlorinated solvents. Rather remarkably, they are optically active polymers with a chiral site in each molecular repeat unit, all of which are in the D- (or R) configuration.

PHB homopolymer is a stiff and rather brittle polymer of high crystallinity, whose mechanical properties are not unlike those of polystyrene, though it is less brittle and more temperature resistant. Hence, copolymers are preferred for general purposes. It is believed that the most likely area for the application of homopolymer is in the medical/biological fields.

Chemical Resistance:
Acids - dilute Fair
Alcohols - Fair
Alkalis - Poor
Greases and Oils - Good
Resistance to Ultra-violet - Fair

General

Material Status

Commercial: Active

Availability

Europe

North America

Features

Grease Resistant

Homopolymer

Medium Heat Resistance

Oil Resistant

Radiation (Gamma) Resistant

Renewable Resource Content

Semi Crystalline

Uses

Medical/Healthcare Applications

Forms

Fabric

Film

Granules

Sheet

Processing Method

Injection Molding

Physical	Nominal Value	Unit
Density		g/cm³
Mechanical	Nominal Value	Unit
Tensile Modulus		psi
Tensile Strength (Yield)		psi
Impact	Nominal Value	Unit
Notched Izod Impact		ft·lb/in
Thermal	Nominal Value	Unit
Max. Continuous Use Temperature		°F
Electrical	Nominal Value	Unit
Volume Resistivity		ohm·cm
Dielectric Strength (1e6)		V/mil
Related Terminology
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Features
Features may also be described by the following terms: Semi-Crystalline, Radiation Resistant, Gamma Stable, Gamma Resistant, Radiation Stable, Medium Heat Resistance, Renewable Resources, From Renewable Resources, Renewable Resource Derived, Renewable Raw Materials, Renewable Resource Content.
Uses
Uses may also be described by the following terms: Medical Applications.

Notes

¹Typical properties: these are not to be construed as specifications.

Goodfellow PHB Biopolymer (PHB)

Biodegradable Polymers

Supplied by Goodfellow Corporation