With increasing global emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly products, biodegradable polymers are gaining widespread use in industries such as packaging, healthcare, electronics, and agriculture. Among these, biodegradable materials that can withstand high temperatures while maintaining functional stability are becoming the focus of cutting-edge research. Compared to conventional biodegradable plastics, heat-resistant biopolymers offer broader potential, especially in applications such as biodegradable adhesive tapes, where both adhesion strength and thermal stability are essential.
This article introduces several biodegradable polymers with high-temperature tolerance, including Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) and their copolymers. We analyze their thermal behavior, degradability, and suitability for heat-resistant applications.
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Polylactic Acid (PLA): A Mainstream Biodegradable Plastic
Overview
PLA is a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived from renewable resources like corn, cassava, or sugarcane. It features good biodegradability, decent mechanical strength, and is one of the most widely used biodegradable polymers today.
Thermal Properties
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): 55–65°C
Melting Point: 150–180°C (depending on stereoregularity)
Thermal distortion temperature can be raised above 120°C via crystallinity enhancement or inorganic filler addition (e.g., talc, graphene).
Copolymerization (e.g., PLA-PBS, PLA-PCL) improves thermal stability and flexibility.
Applications
Suitable for medium-temperature applications such as tape substrates, food packaging films, 3D printing filaments, and heat-sealable films. Still requires modification for sustained high-temperature use.
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Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): Naturally Synthesized High-Performance Materials
Overview
PHA is a family of polyesters biosynthesized by microorganisms under nutrient-limited, carbon-rich conditions. Common variants include PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate) and PHBV (a copolymer with valerate units).
Thermal Properties
Melting Point: 170–180°C (PHB)
Tg: 0–10°C
PHBV exhibits better flexibility and lower crystallinity than pure PHB while maintaining excellent thermal properties.
Decomposition temperatures generally exceed 250°C, making it highly heat-resistant.
Biodegradability
PHA offers excellent biodegradability in compost, soil, and marine environments, making it one of the few truly ocean-degradable bioplastics.
Applications
Ideal for eco-critical sectors, such as medical packaging, high-end biodegradable tape backings, temporary molded parts, and sustainable aerospace packaging.
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Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) and Its Copolymers
Overview
PBS is an aliphatic polyester synthesized from succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol. It combines biodegradability with flexibility and good processability.
Thermal Properties
Melting Point: 113–120°C
Decomposition Temperature: above 280°C
Low glass transition temperature (~ -30°C) provides good flexibility at low temperatures while remaining stable at moderate heat.
Copolymer Enhancements
PBS can be copolymerized with PLA, PBAT, or others to form materials like PBS-co-PLA, combining strength and flexibility with improved thermal performance.
Applications
PBS-based tapes offer good heat-sealing properties and biodegradability, suitable for food processing, biodegradable mailers, and agricultural films.
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Comparative Overview & Material Selection Guidelines
| Polymer | Melting Point (°C) | Decomposition Temp (°C) | Biodegradability | Notable Features |
| PLA | 150–180 | >250 | Good (in compost) | Strong, rigid, widely used |
| PHA | 170–180 | >260 | Excellent (multi-environment) | High heat resistance, marine-degradable |
| PBS | 113–120 | >280 | Good | Flexible, good for heat sealing |
When selecting materials for high-function biodegradable tapes, key factors include heat distortion temperature, adhesive stability, mechanical strength, and environmental compatibility.
PLA is best suited for medium heat conditions (100–120°C) with high rigidity;
PHA is ideal for high-heat, high-sustainability applications;
PBS is great for applications requiring heat-sealability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
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Conclusion
Heat resistance is a critical performance criterion for the development of high-function biodegradable tapes. With advancements in fermentation, polymerization, and copolymer modification technologies, biopolymers like PLA, PHA, and PBS continue to evolve in both performance and scalability. In the near future, these materials are expected to play a pivotal role in eco-friendly, heat-resistant tape solutions, driving forward the integration of sustainable materials into mainstream industry applications.
