| HS Code | 639108 |
| Appearance | White to off-white pellets |
| Density | 1.24-1.25 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate | 10-20 g/10 min (190°C, 2.16 kg) |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 55-60°C |
| Melting Point | 160-170°C |
| Tensile Strength | ≥50 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | ≥5% |
| Flexural Strength | ≥80 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | ≥3000 MPa |
| Notched Izod Impact Strength | ≥2 kJ/m² |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | ≥55°C |
| Water Content | ≤0.5% |
| Ash Content | ≤0.1% |
| Residual Monomer | ≤0.5% |
As an accredited BBCA Polylactic Acid (PLA) FY401 factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | BBCA Polylactic Acid (PLA) FY401 is packaged in 25 kg moisture-resistant bags, palletized and shrink-wrapped for industrial shipping. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL container loading for chemical BBCA Polylactic Acid (PLA) FY401: palletized, dry, ambient, securely stowed, within standard weight limits. |
| Shipping | BBCA Polylactic Acid (PLA) FY401 is shipped as a non-hazardous thermoplastic resin in 25 kg woven bags or 500–1000 kg jumbo bags, palletized and stretch-wrapped. It is not classified as dangerous goods for transport. Keep dry, away from heat, and avoid moisture during storage and handling. |
| Storage | Store BBCA Polylactic Acid (PLA) FY401 in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep containers tightly closed and away from direct sunlight, heat, moisture, ignition sources, and strong oxidizers. Maintain low humidity and moderate temperature, ideally below 30°C, to prevent hydrolysis and degradation. Use clean, dry handling equipment. Avoid prolonged exposure to humid air. Store separately from incompatible substances and follow local regulations. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is 12 months when stored in original unopened packaging under cool, dry conditions, away from moisture and direct sunlight. |
Polylactide resin designated FY401 is processed at 100 wt% of the polymer fraction in compostable cutlery formulations; where demoulding performance becomes limiting at high-cavitation cycle speeds, 0.5–1.0 wt% of a fatty acid amide-based slip masterbatch is added only after migration screening under EU No 10/2011 and applicable US FDA food-contact notification for polylactic acid. Finished cutlery is tested against EN 13432 for disintegration of at least 90% within 12 weeks under industrial composting conditions and against ASTM D6400-21 for aerobic biodegradation; food-contact surfaces are assessed under EU No 10/2011 with an overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm². Injection moulding uses a reciprocating screw with L/D 20:1, compression ratio 2.2:1, barrel temperature profile 165–180–195–200–195 °C, melt temperature 190–205 °C, mould temperature 25–35 °C, injection velocity 80–120 mm/s, holding pressure 60–80 MPa, and cooling time 12–18 s per 2.0 mm wall section. At relative humidity above 60%, pre-drying at 80 °C for 4 h to a residual moisture content below 250 ppm is mandatory to suppress hydrolytic molecular weight loss in the machine throat. Terminal product types include forks, knives, spoons, sporks, and cold-service stirrers; continuous exposure to temperatures above 60 °C is outside the operational boundary without post-crystallisation annealing.
In monolayer extruded sheet for cold and ambient food service, FY401 is used at 100 wt% as the sole polymer fraction, while impact-modified structures employ 85–90 wt% FY401 with 10–15 wt% poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) to raise elongation at break under ISO 527-2:2012; the addition of more than 15 wt% PBAT shifts the sheet modulus downward and reduces thermoform plug efficiency. Sheet compliance for food contact is demonstrated under EU No 10/2011 migration testing and applicable FDA food-contact notification, with compostability claims validated to EN 13432 where the final package is marked as industrially compostable. The downstream process begins with single-screw sheet extrusion at L/D 30:1, barrel temperatures 160–200 °C, die temperature 200 °C, and chill roll temperatures 20–40 °C, producing sheet of 0.3–1.0 mm thickness. Thermoforming is run with plug-assisted pressure forming, sheet surface temperature 95–115 °C, plug temperature 80–100 °C, and cavity temperature 20–30 °C; depth-of-draw beyond 1:1 concentrates angular corner thinning and is the main process conflict in shallow tray production. Terminal product types include fresh produce trays, bakery clamshells, cold-cup inserts, portion containers, and blister packaging for non-sterile consumer goods. Published data for the specific interaction of FY401 melt strength with deep-draw plug geometry is limited.
FY401 is converted into fused filament fabrication feedstock at 100 wt% for unfilled natural filament, or at 97–99 wt% with 1–3 wt% pigment or nucleation masterbatch when opacity or crystallisation control is required; the loading is kept below 3 wt% because inorganic masterbatch above this threshold increases die swell and disrupts diameter control. Compliance for electrical and electronic applications falls under RoHS 2011/65/EU where printed parts are incorporated into EEE equipment, while general resin compliance is managed under REACH with SVHC content below 0.1 wt%; melt flow stability is monitored under ISO 1133-1:2022 at 190 °C and 2.16 kg. Filament extrusion uses a single-screw extruder with L/D 25:1, melt temperature 180–200 °C, water quench temperature 30–45 °C, and closed-loop laser micrometer control maintaining tolerance of ±0.05 mm for 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm filament. Terminal product types include spooled filament for open-environment fused filament fabrication, dental study models, jigs and fixtures, and educational prototype components. The primary failure mode at production scale is hydrolytic viscosity loss from insufficient drying; pre-drying at 80 °C for 4 h to below 250 ppm moisture is maintained before extrusion.
Rigid cosmetic jar bases and closure shells are injection moulded from FY401 at 95–98 wt% with 2–5 wt% of a pigment or processing masterbatch; the upper limit is set because higher masterbatch loadings reduce melt flow consistency and increase notched impact sensitivity under ISO 180:2023. Chemical-safety compliance for cosmetic packaging is managed under REACH Annex XVII and, where the article is intended to contact cosmetic formulations, materials are screened against the prohibition requirements of EC No 1223/2009 for CMR substances and packaging-related extractables; standard plate migration testing is performed under EU No 10/2011 when the container is also positioned for food-compatible cross-market use. Production runs on multi-cavity injection moulding machines with clamp force 800–1200 kN, barrel temperature profile 165–195 °C, mould temperature 20–40 °C, cavity holding pressure 40–60 MPa, and hot or cold runner systems depending on part mass below or above 12 g. Terminal product types include jar bodies, cap closures, dropper sleeves, compact cases, and outer shells for lipstick mechanisms. The critical processing boundary is the interaction between acidic melt degradation products and unvented cold-runner channels; vented barrels and periodic purging at 190 °C are required to avoid black speck accumulation on long campaigns.
Horticultural components formulated from FY401 at 70–85 wt% with 15–30 wt% talc or calcium carbonate masterbatch are used where rigid biodegradable pots, clips, and label stakes replace general-purpose polystyrene; unfilled or low-fill formulations retain compostability claims under EN 13432, while filler levels above 10 wt% slow disintegration and may require extended industrial composting residence time. Mechanical evaluation follows ISO 178:2019 for flexural modulus and ISO 180:2023 for notched impact, because thin clip hinges are sensitive to stress concentration at living hinge gates. Injection moulding uses a reciprocating screw with L/D 20:1, melt temperature 185–200 °C, mould temperature 30–50 °C, and holding pressure 40–70 MPa; multi-cavity cold-runner tooling is common, with gate vestige control specified at below 0.5 mm to prevent hinge fracture. Terminal product types include seedling trays, nursery pots, plant clips, vine clamps, label stakes, and root-training containers. Published data for the specific filler dispersion kinetics of FY401 in high-mineral formulations is limited; process stabilisation is achieved by pre-compounding rather than direct masterbatch addition at the injection machine.
Blown film conversion using FY401 is performed by melt blending 50–70 wt% FY401 with 30–50 wt% PBAT and 0.5–1.0 wt% epoxy-functional chain extender; neat FY401 is not recommended for tubular film because melt strength is insufficient to maintain bubble stability at blow-up ratios above 2.0:1. Compostability compliance for flexible packaging is tested under EN 13432 and ASTM D6400-21, with food-contact film assessed under EU No 10/2011 overall migration and specific migration limits for additives used in the blend. Compounding is conducted on a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with L/D 36:1, screw speed 300–500 rpm, barrel temperatures 160–180 °C, and strand pelletising after water cooling; film extrusion then uses an annular die of 28 mm diameter, melt temperature 160–180 °C, blow-up ratio 2.5:1, and frost line height 2–4 × die diameter. Terminal product types include organic waste liners, light-duty shopping bags, agricultural mulch film, and produce bags. The limiting operational boundary is moisture sensitivity in the blend; resin moisture above 250 ppm before compounding causes ester interchange and reduces final film tear propagation resistance under ISO 6383-2.
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BBCA Polylactic Acid (PLA) FY401 is a commercial poly(L-lactic acid) resin positioned for injection molding of rigid articles in which renewable carbon content, melt fluidity, and dimensional control are concurrent processing requirements. The resin is polymerized from lactide monomer through ring-opening polymerization, with a poly(L-lactic acid) backbone that yields a density near 1.24 g/cm³ when tested in accordance with ISO 1183-1:2019. Melt flow rate, measured under ISO 1133-1:2022 at 210°C and 2.16 kg, is the primary rheological discriminator for this grade class and typically falls between 10 g/10 min and 20 g/10 min for injection-molding PLAs; published FY401-specific certificate-of-analysis values should be obtained from the supplier because batch-to-batch variation in residual lactide and D-lactide content shifts the flow response. The material is supplied in pellet form with a bulk density of approximately 0.70 g/cm³ to 0.80 g/cm³, which permits vacuum conveying but requires attention to pellet fracture and fines generation in high-speed pneumatic systems.
Because stereochemical composition governs crystallization speed and dimensional stability, the L-lactide content of FY401 is a decisive variable rather than a footnote. Poly(L-lactic acid) with L-lactide content above 95 mol% can crystallize slowly from the quiescent melt; cooling at typical mold temperatures below 30°C produces a largely amorphous state with a glass transition temperature near 55°C to 60°C as determined by differential scanning calorimetry per ISO 11357-2:2020. In thin-wall parts, this amorphous state supports rapid solidification and ejection, but it also limits continuous-use temperature before dimensional change occurs. Crystallized or annealed specimens can display higher deflection temperatures, although published data for this specific configuration is limited.
The FY401 designation identifies a melt-phase polymer with rheological and thermal properties differentiated from FY family extrusion and fiber grades. Injection-molding grades of this type generally use a lower molecular weight distribution or higher melt-flow index than extrusion grades, reducing injection pressure and improving fill in multi-cavity tools. The trade-off appears as lower melt strength, which is not well suited to blown-film or sheet-thickness uniformity without chain extension. Residual lactide content should be verified against the certificate of analysis because residual monomer at levels above 0.3 wt% can plasticize the melt and generate volatiles during barrel residence.
In transparent packaging and diagnostic components, optical clarity of unmodified poly(L-lactic acid) is high relative to semi-crystalline polyolefins, but clarity degrades when nucleating agents or fillers are compounded into the resin. If FY401 is not formulated with nucleating additives, molded parts retain transparency at wall thicknesses below 2.0 mm only when mold temperature remains below 35°C, because higher mold temperatures induce cold crystallization and haze. This processing boundary is operationally significant for cosmetic packaging and transparent medical components where optical uniformity is specified.
Before any melt processing step, moisture must be reduced because poly(L-lactic acid) is a condensation polyester and undergoes hydrolysis at processing temperature if moisture exceeds 250 ppm. Typical desiccant drying conditions are 80°C for 4 h with a dew point of -40°C or lower. Moisture content should be confirmed by ISO 15512:2019 or ASTM D6869-03(2020) before feeding. Pellets exposed to air at relative humidity above 60% for more than 8 h should be re-dried. In hot-air hopper dryers without desiccant, equilibrium moisture may remain too high to prevent splay and molecular weight loss.
On a standard three-zone injection-molding machine, barrel temperature settings typically range from 170°C at the rear zone to 200°C at the nozzle. Melt temperature measured directly with a needle pyrometer should not exceed 230°C. Above this threshold, chain scission accelerates through random ester cleavage, producing a rapid loss of melt viscosity and the evolution of acetaldehyde and lactide vapors. The onset of measurable degradation is time-temperature dependent; even at 210°C, residence times above 15 min can reduce number-average molecular weight by more than 10% and cause brittle failure in molded parts. This degradation pathway is the primary constraint in hot-runner systems, where dead zones and long flow channels create localized stagnation.
For wall sections below 1.5 mm, screw forward velocities above 200 mm/s are commonly required to prevent early freeze-off at the gate. For thick sections above 4.0 mm, lower velocities and packing pressures in the range of 60 MPa to 120 MPa reduce jetting and improve dimensional replication. Holding pressure should be applied until the gate freezes; premature release produces sink marks and warpage due to the low thermal conductivity of PLA.
In multi-cavity tools with long hot-runner manifolds, residence-time distribution, not just average barrel residence, determines the fraction of material exposed to degradation. A hydraulic injection-molding machine with a screw diameter of 30 mm and a shot weight below 30% of barrel capacity can produce average residence times below 5 min at cycle times under 30 s. When shot size falls below 15% of barrel capacity, the melt cushion becomes thermally stressed, and viscosity may drift downward during extended production runs. Production environments with ambient temperatures above 35°C and relative humidity above 60% accelerate these effects because residual moisture in feedstock is higher.
For scientific troubleshooting, the melt flow rate after processing should be compared with the as-received value. A reduction in melt viscosity of more than 15% relative to the supplier certificate of analysis suggests hydrolytic or thermal degradation. In compounding operations using co-rotating twin-screw extruders with screw diameter of 25 mm to 40 mm, barrel temperatures between 170°C and 200°C and screw speeds between 200 rpm and 500 rpm are typical for dispersing liquid colorants or nucleating agents into PLA without excessive shear heating. Specific screw design with distributive mixing elements rather than high-shear kneading blocks is preferred because high shear increases melt temperature and chain scission.
Mechanical evaluation of neat FY401 injection-molded specimens follows the same test geometry as other rigid bioplastics. Tensile bars tested according to ISO 527-2:2012 at 5 mm/min typically show tensile strength between 50 MPa and 65 MPa, tensile modulus between 3000 MPa and 3600 MPa, and elongation at break between 2% and 5% for an unmodified injection-molding PLA class. The brittle failure mode is a limitation for snap-fit designs; sharp corners and molded-in stresses should be minimized because notched Izod impact strength tested according to ASTM D256-10 is commonly below 4 kJ/m². Flexural modulus measured per ISO 178:2019 falls between 3000 MPa and 3500 MPa, giving a stiffness comparable to general-purpose polystyrene but with lower ductility than polypropylene.
The table below summarizes representative neat injection-molding PLA class values; FY401-specific values should be taken from the supplier technical data sheet and certificate of analysis because molding conditions, moisture content, and annealing history shift each result.
| Property | Test method | Representative range |
| Melt flow rate | ISO 1133-1:2022 | 10–20 g/10 min |
| Density | ISO 1183-1:2019 | 1.24–1.25 g/cm³ |
| Tensile strength | ISO 527-2:2012 | 50–65 MPa |
| Tensile modulus | ISO 527-2:2012 | 3000–3600 MPa |
| Elongation at break | ISO 527-2:2012 | 2–5% |
| Flexural modulus | ISO 178:2019 | 3000–3500 MPa |
| Notched Izod impact strength | ASTM D256-10 | 2–4 kJ/m² |
| Heat deflection temperature B | ISO 75-2:2013 | 50–60°C |
| Melting temperature | ISO 11357-3:2018 | 170–180°C |
| Glass transition temperature | ISO 11357-2:2020 | 55–60°C |
| Moisture after drying | ISO 15512:2019 | <250 ppm |
The rheological differentiation between FY401 and extrusion or thermoforming PLA grades is principally molecular weight and melt strength. Extrusion grades are polymerized or modified to retain higher molecular weight and higher melt strength, producing lower melt flow rates and better bubble stability in blown-film or cast-film processes. FY401 is not designed for blown-film processing because low melt strength permits bubble sag and thickness variability. In sheet extrusion, the material can be processed if the screw is designed for low-viscosity PLA, but published data for this specific configuration is limited.
Compared with high-heat PLA grades containing talc nucleating agents or stereocomplex poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(D-lactic acid) structures, an unmodified injection-molding grade such as FY401 typically remains amorphous after cold-tool molding and therefore exhibits lower heat deflection temperature. High-heat formulations can achieve HDT B values above 120°C, while amorphous FY401 class material remains below 60°C unless annealed. The trade-off for the lower heat resistance is better melt flow and lower cycle time in cold-tool injection molding.
Impact-modified PLA grades, produced by reactive compounding or by blending with biodegradable flexibilizers, raise notched Izod impact strength above 10 kJ/m² but reduce tensile modulus and transparency. FY401 is not an impact-modified grade in the same sense; applications with snap-fit closures or thin living hinges should either redesign the part for lower strain or select an impact-modified compound. Differences from fossil-based polymers include higher density than polypropylene and lower continuous-use temperature than ABS; these boundaries should guide material substitution decisions.
In short-cycle injection molding applications, the grade is used for rigid or semi-rigid articles that do not require continuous service above 50°C. Typical tool configurations include multi-cavity cold-runner molds, valve-gated hot-runner molds, and thin-wall packaging tools with wall thickness below 2.0 mm. For disposable cutlery, molders often use mold temperatures near 20°C and cycle times below 30 s for amorphous products. For transparent cosmetic components, polished tool steel and venting depths below 0.02 mm prevent gas burning and flow marks. These applications use the material’s stiffness and surface hardness, but they operate below the glass transition to avoid dimensional creep.
Mold temperature selection determines whether FY401 remains amorphous or crystallizes. Cold-tool molding at 15°C to 30°C is standard for transparent parts and short cycles; ejection is enabled by the glassy state, but dimensional stability under mechanical load is limited near the glass transition. For parts requiring higher heat resistance, a mold temperature of 80°C to 110°C is used to promote crystallization during cooling, but cycle time increases because PLA crystallizes slowly. Holding the part in the tool at elevated temperature for 20 s to 60 s depending on wall thickness can raise the degree of crystallinity and improve heat deflection temperature. This approach requires a precision-temperature mold unit with separate water circuits and is sensitive to thickness gradients; uneven cooling produces differential crystallization and warpage.
During annealing, crystallization kinetics for poly(L-lactic acid) are slow and sensitive to D-lactide content. Isothermal crystallization half-time in high-crystallinity PLA grades at 110°C is often reported below 5 min, while at 90°C the half-time can exceed 10 min; FY401-specific values should be confirmed with the supplier. A mold temperature controller with a capacity of at least 12 kW per mold half is common for multi-cavity tools in this range. Without adequate heating capacity, the tool cannot maintain the uniform temperature needed for consistent crystallinity and dimensional stability.
Bulk silo storage for PLA should maintain pellet temperature below 35°C and relative humidity below 60% to prevent moisture pickup and pellet blocking. In high-humidity regions, sealed Gaylord liners and desiccant sacks are used after opening. For machine hoppers, a hopper loader with dry-air purge is recommended rather than ambient air, because PLA pellets can absorb water quickly. The target moisture content before melt processing is <250 ppm, measured by ISO 15512:2019. This moisture limit is lower than many polyolefins require and is the main reason PLA processing fails in converted polyolefin plants without closed-loop drying.
Pneumatic conveying lines should be sized for PLA pellet friability. Conveying velocities above 25 m/s can generate fines and angel hair; elbow radii should be large and air temperature should remain below 40°C to avoid surface softening. In addition, standard screw feeders with bridge-breaker agitators are generally acceptable, but high-shear mixing in the feed throat must be avoided because fines can melt prematurely and cause feed blockage.
Incoming resin inspection for FY401 should include melt flow rate, moisture content, pellet appearance, and color. A melt flow indexer with 2.16 kg load at 210°C is used to verify flow consistency against the certificate of analysis. Moisture is measured by a halogen moisture analyzer calibrated against ISO 15512:2019; a moisture analyzer alone may underestimate residual water because PLA can release monomer volatiles. Fines content should be below 0.1 wt% on a 2.0 mm sieve to avoid feed bridging. Batch-to-batch variation in MFR beyond ±1.5 g/10 min from the target may require barrel temperature or injection velocity adjustments; large shifts can indicate material contamination or a different grade.
Regulatory status is not automatically transferable across all regions or applications. PLA for food-contact use may be evaluated under FDA 21 CFR 175.300 for resinous and polymeric coatings, or under EU 10/2011 for plastics intended to contact food, but compliance depends on specific migration testing and the final article construction. RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU compliance and REACH registration are supply-chain declarations; they should be confirmed against supplier documentation and not assumed from polymer type alone. Biobased carbon content can be determined by ASTM D6866-22, but that standard does not establish compostability or food-contact compliance.
Chemical incompatibility limits use in certain service environments. Aqueous alkali solutions, concentrated acids, and steam sterilization above 121°C cause hydrolytic degradation. Ethanol and some organic solvents can induce stress cracking in stressed molded parts, particularly near weld lines. For medical packaging, ethylene oxide or gamma sterilization may be evaluated, but the effect on molecular weight and color shift must be tested; published data for this specific configuration is limited.
