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BioTuf976 COMPOSTABLE
FILM COMPOUND PRODUCT
DATA SHEET & APPLICATION GUIDE
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BioTuf976
is a pelletized mineral-containing compound based on a blend
of biodegradable resins, including an aliphatic/aromatic
co-polyester. It is specifically designed to be extruded and
converted on standard low density PE or grooved-feed
HMW-HDPE processing equipment. BioTuf976 yields film with
physical properties similar to those of linear-low density
polyethylene. Films up to 3.0 mils thick will completely
degrade in commercial and municipal composting environments
in accordance with the requirements of ASTM specification
D6400. Target applications include bags and liners used for
diversion of food and organic waste from landfills to
commercial composting facilities. |
Heritage
Plastics BioTuf976 is approved by
Biodegradable Products Institute. |
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BioTuf976
yields 0.8 mils thick film with the properties detailed in
Table 1. Extrusion conditions included a die gap of 0.040”
and blow-up ratio of 2.5:1. Table
1: Typical BioTuf976 Film Properties
Processing of BioTuf976
BioTuf976
extrusion processing is similar to that of LDPE. The melt
temperature should be kept below 320° F (160° C) to
maximize film strength. A recommended barrel profile is
280°/290°/300°/300° F, with adapter & die
temperatures between 300 – 320° F. Process output rates
equivalent to PE can be achieved if screw shear is minimized
to keep the melt temperature low. A new screw design may be
necessary to minimize extruder shear and maximize process
output.
BioTuf976
recommended start-up procedure: If
running HMW-HDPE, transition the line to LLDPE processing or
purge the HMW out of the line with a 1,0 MI LLDPE. Run the
barrel dry of LLDPE, reduce the screw speed to 5 – 6 RPM,
the barrel temperatures to 280°/290°/300°/300° F, and
the adapter & die temperatures to between 300 – 320°
F. Add a 2 – 4 MI film grade LDPE and run for 30 minutes
or until the LDPE purges the LLDPE from the barrel and the
temperatures have cooled to the set point. At this time, add
the BioTuf976 compound to the hopper, and slowly increase screw
speed until the desired output rate is achieved or the
barrel temperatures begin to override their settings. Extruded
film may be sealed, printed, and converted using the same
equipment used to process LDPE, LLDPE, or HMW-HDPE. Sealing
temperatures should be in the range of those used when
converting LDPE film of the same thickness. Due
to the polar nature of the compound, a purging action on the
extruder and die is likely when first starting up with
BioTuf976, resulting in some film streaking. This will clear up
after a few minutes of operation.
BioTuf976
Compound Properties
BioTuf976 compostable compound has the properties listed in Table 2
below. Table
2: BioTuf976 Compound Physical Properties
 The
density of the BioTuf976 compound should be considered when
setting the film basis weight for producing a given gauge.
Composting Biodegradation of films made from BioTuf976 Testing
of 3.0 mil films according to ASTM D 5338 yielded 60%
mineralization within 90 days and 90% mineralization within
160 days, as shown in the graph below.
 In
testing of bags made from BioTuf976 at a commercial composting
facility, no trace of the product could be found after
composting for 60 days in active thermophilic windows
during the summer months.
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