POLY(BUTYLENE ADIPATE-CO-TEREPHTHALATE (PBAT)
PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS
Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), also known as polybutyrate, is a semi-aromatic, biodegradable thermoplastic copolyester that can be easily molded and thermoformed. It is produced by random co-polymerization of 1,4-butanediol, adipic acid, and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) monomers. PBAT has many attractive properties that are similar to Hpolyethylene. For example, it has relative high elongation at break (30 - 40%) as well as moderate high impact and puncture toughness, but only moderate tensile strength and low stiffness.1
PBAT's properties can be tuned by varying the ratio of its monomer units and by combination with other biodegradable polymers. They are typically similar to those of high or low density polyethylene, and thus can be used for similar applications in food packaging and agricultural film applications. Furthermore, it is fully biodegradable (compostable) and can be processed on conventional blown film equipment used for polyethylene. PBAT has also been investigated as a toughening agent for poly(lactic acid) PLA.1