New Bio-based Engineering PlasticDURABIO™

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

DURABIO™ is a bio-based polycarbonate resin derived mainly from plant-based isosorbide. Compared with conventional polycarbonate resin (hereafter abbreviated PC resin) made from bisphenol A (hereafter abbreviated BPA), DURABIO™ features high transparency, excellent optical properties, and outstanding scratch resistance. Its puncture impact behaviour are comparable to those for PC resin. DURABIO™ is a plant-derived polymer but is not biodegradable. It has excellent durability, making possible its deployment in a wide variety of applications such as for optical ・energy related components, a substitute for high-performance glass components, as well as for electronic equipment ・ automotive housings ・ interior and exterior decor.

Characteristics
Applications
Lineup / Specifications
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Characteristics

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DURABIO™ is a bio-based polycarbonate resin whose main raw material is plant-derived isosorbide. It is a transparent engineering plastic which has various characteristics distinct from PC resins made from BPA raw materials. In particular, its optical properties are superior. Also light exposure stability and surface characteristics show high performance.

DURABIO　comparative general properties — DURABIO™comparative general properties

DURABIO™ is not biodegradable, and with its superior durability, this novel bio-based polycarbonate may be employed in numerous applications.

Because it utilizes a plant-derived raw material with a uniquely important oxyalicyclic (non-aromatic) frame, DURABIO™ has excellent optical properties. Its transparency and optical homogeneity surpass those of BPA-based PC resins.

In addition, there is negligible yellowing due to exposure to light, so it can be widely employed in applications that require light stability. This is naturally beneficial in transparent applications, where even for applications needing light-colored materials, there is little concern of color change due to yellowing.

Furthermore, DURABIO™ retains high surface hardness characteristics, and in abrasion resistance is a significant improvement over PC resin. Surface impact strength is excellent. Even under conditions in which acrylic resins show brittle fracture, DURABIO™ shows the same ductile fracture as PC resin. Impact properties are comparable to those of PC resin.

Another benefit is excellent color tone design capability. The outstanding transparency makes it possible to create extremely vivid colors in the transparent material. Metallic coloration qualities and deep hues can be produced.

Applications

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Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.developed DURABIO™ is a bio-based engineering plastic made from plant-derived isosorbide.
Excellent transparency and low optical distortion, scratch resistance, UV resistance.

Optical characteristics

Glass substitution

FPD front panel
Sunglass
LED lighting
Optical Film

Surface Hardness

DURABIO automotive interior parts

UV stability

no color change

Lighting sheet
Film-laminated steel sheet
Noise barrier wall

Biomass

Cosmetics containers
E&E housings

Lineup / Specifications

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Property	Method	Condition	Unit	DURABIO
				General Grade
				D7340R Injection	D6350R Injection	D5360R Injection	D5380R-3 Extrusion
Density	ISO1183		g/cm³	1.36	1.34	1.31	1.31
Water Absorption	MCC Method	23℃,24h	wt%	0.3	0.3	0.2	0.2
MVR	ISO1133	230℃,2.16kg	cm³/10min	8	10	10	4
MFR	ISO1133	230℃,2.16kg	g/10min	10	12	13	5
Tensile Modulus	ISO527		MPa	2,700	2,500	2,300	2,050
Tensile Strength	ISO527		MPa	78	70	64	63
Elongation at Break	ISO527		%	77	110	130	115
Flexural Modulus	ISO178		MPa	2,700	2,500	2,100	2,050
Flexural Strength	ISO178		MPa	118	105	94	90
Charpy Impact Strength	ISO179-1/1eA	With Notch	kJ/㎡	7	8	9	14
Charpy Impact Strength	ISO179-1/1eU	Without Notch	kJ/㎡	N.B.	N.B.	N.B.	N.B.
Total Light Transmittance	ISO13468	3mmt	%	92	92	92	92
Heat Deflection Temperature	ISO75-１, ISO75-2	1.80MPa	℃	102	90	82	82
Heat Deflection Temperature	ISO75-1, ISO75-2	0.45MPa	℃	114	101	92	92
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion -20～80℃	ISO11359-2	MD	1/℃	6.9E-05	7.1E-05	7.3E-05	7.3E-05
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion -20～80℃	ISO11359-2	TD	1/℃	6.9E-05	7.1E-05	7.3E-05	7.3E-05

Remarks	Coloring Ability	Ice Color	D7340IR	✓	D5360IR	D5380IR
		Piano Black(Jet-Black)	✓	✓	✓	✓
		Brilliant Color	✓	✓	✓	✓
	Characteristic		High Heat	Balance	High Impact	High Impact

All Values are portrayed as general information only and are not product specifications.

News

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2023

2022

2021

2019

2018

Feb. 27, 2018

Mitsubishi Chemical Starts Full-scale Sales of New Grade of ‘DURABIO’ Bio-based Engineering Plastic for Bottles[別窓表示]

2017

Dec. 06, 2017
Former Mitsubishi Chemical

Bio-based Engineering Plastic “DURABIO"
Mitsubishi Chemical Develops New Grade for Large Automotive Exterior Components Jointly with Mazda

2016

Dec. 19, 2016
Former Mitsubishi Chemical

Mitsubishi Chemical’s DURABIO™ Bio-based Engineering Plastic Adopted for Exterior Design Parts of Mazda’s Roadstar RF
Aug. 2, 2016
Former Mitsubishi Chemical

A First in Europe: Mitsubishi Chemical’s DURABIO™ Bio-based Engineering Plastic Adopted for Outer Mask for Speedometer-Tachometer Combo of Renault’s New Clio

2015

Nov. 25, 2015
Former Mitsubishi Chemical

Mitsubishi Chemical's DURABIO™ Bio-based Engineering Plastic Receives Bioplastics Award at 10th European Bioplastics Conference
Jul. 6, 2015
Former Mitsubishi Chemical

World-First — DURABIO™, Bio-based Engineering Plastic from Mitsubishi Chemical, Used on the Front Panel of Sharp's New AQUOS CRYSTAL 2 Smartphone
Jun. 3, 2015
Former Mitsubishi Chemical

Mitsubishi Chemical, Suzuki Jointly Develop New Grade of DURABIO™ Bio-based Engineering Plastic for Interior Color Panels of New Alto Lapin
Jan. 27, 2015
Former Mitsubishi Chemical

Mitsubishi Chemical, Mazda Jointly Develop New Grade of DURABIO™, Bio-based Engineering Plastic for Exterior Automotive Components

2014

Jan. 20, 2014
Former Mitsubishi Chemical

Mitsubishi Chemical Develops New Grade of Bio-based Engineering Plastic DURABIO(TM) for Automotive Touch Panels