Polyhydroxybutyrate

Basics

• One of the most commonly produced/utilized Polyhydroxyalkanoates
• "PHB is produced by microorganisms (such as Cupriavidus necator, Methylobacterium rhodesianum or Bacillus megaterium) apparently in response to conditions of physiological stress;[2] mainly conditions in which nutrients are limited."
• It is easily biodegradable, and unlike PLA it doesn't require the more controlled Anerobic Digestion / COmposting (Double check this)
• From wikipedia
  • "Water-insoluble and relatively resistant to hydrolytic degradation. This differentiates PHB from most other currently available biodegradable plastics, which are either water-soluble or moisture-sensitive.
  • Good oxygen permeability.
  • Good ultra-violet resistance but poor resistance to acids and bases.
  • Soluble in chloroform and other chlorinated hydrocarbons.[10]
  • Biocompatible and hence is suitable for medical applications.
  • Melting point 175 °C., and glass transition temperature 2 °C.
  • Tensile strength 40 MPa, close to that of polypropylene.
  • Sinks in water (while polypropylene floats), facilitating its anaerobic biodegradation in sediments"
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External Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Polyhydroxybutyrate