| HS Code | 235504 |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate 190 C 2 16 Kg | 30 g/10 min |
| Crystallinity | Amorphous |
| Flow Characteristics | Medium Flow |
| Processing Method | Injection Molding |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 55-60 °C |
| Tensile Modulus | 3500 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 60 MPa |
| Tensile Elongation At Break | 3.5% |
| Flexural Modulus | 3500 MPa |
| Flexural Strength | 90 MPa |
| Charpy Unnotched Impact Strength | 20 kJ/m² |
| Charpy Notched Impact Strength | 2.5 kJ/m² |
| Heat Deflection Temperature 0 45 Mpa | 55 °C |
| Vicat Softening Temperature | 60 °C |
| Optical Property | Transparent |
| Biobased Content | 100% renewable carbon |
| Processing Melt Temperature | 190-220 °C |
| Mold Temperature | 20-40 °C |
| Drying Temperature | 80 °C |
| Drying Time | 4 hours |
As an accredited Luminy LX130U Medium Flow Amorphous Injection Molding PLA factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Luminy LX130U Medium Flow Amorphous Injection Molding PLA is packaged in 25 kg moisture-barrier bags, palletized, or 1000 kg bulk supersacks. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL: Luminy LX130U PLA, 20 pallets (double-stacked), 40 x 25 kg bags each, total 20,000 kg net. |
| Shipping | Luminy LX130U Medium Flow Amorphous Injection Molding PLA is transported as non-hazardous, solid PLA resin pellets. Standard packaging includes 25 kg moisture-barrier bags or octabins, palletized and shrink-wrapped. It is not regulated by DOT, IMDG, or IATA. Store and ship cool, dry, away from excessive heat and moisture. |
| Storage | Store Luminy LX130U PLA in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, and ignition sources. Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption. Maintain ambient temperatures preferably below 30°C and relative humidity low. Avoid prolonged storage in humid conditions; dry resin before injection molding if moisture exceeds specification. Follow supplier safety data sheet and local regulations. |
| Shelf Life | Luminy LX130U PLA has a 12-month shelf life when stored unopened in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and heat. |
Luminy LX130U medium-flow amorphous PLA is supplied with a melt flow rate of 30 g/10 min when tested under ISO 1133-1:2022 at 210°C and 2.16 kg, a value that places it at the lower end of the injection-moulding window for disposable food-service utensils. On production lines using reciprocating-screw machines with screw L/D ratios of 20:1 to 24:1 and conventional three-zone screws, the resin is pre-dried at 80°C for 4 h in a desiccant dryer with dew point below -40°C; residual moisture above 250 ppm produces splay and loss of melt strength at the gate. For cutlery applications, the formulation is typically adjusted with a PLA-carrier colour masterbatch at 1.5–3.0 wt%, an external mould release agent at 0.2–0.5 wt%, and, when brittle fracture occurs at fork tine roots or spoon handle gates, an acrylic impact modifier at 5.0–8.0 wt%. Processing parameters recorded on hydraulic and servo-electric moulding machines include melt temperature 190–205°C, mould temperature 15–25°C, injection pressure 80–120 MPa, holding pressure 50–80 MPa, back pressure 0.5–1.0 MPa, and clamp force calculated at 3.5–5.0 kN/cm² of projected area. Because the amorphous grade has no crystalline melting plateau, residence time above 200°C should not exceed 15 min in the barrel; longer residence generates gloss changes and potential lactide-related off-odour in food-contact articles. Food-contact compliance is verified under Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, with an overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm² using food simulant A (10% ethanol) for aqueous contact; in the United States, commercial compliance is established through the resin supplier’s Food Contact Notification, not through direct citation of 21 CFR 177.1520. Finished item types include spoons, forks, sporks, stirring sticks, ice-cream spoons, and disposable scoops intended for cold or ambient-temperature foods only.
Cosmetic packaging moulds for LX130U have been built around cold-runner systems with heated sprue bushings rather than hot-runner manifolds because the amorphous PLA is sensitive to residence-time distribution in unheated or externally heated multi-drop systems. When hot runners are unavoidable, the manifold and nozzle setpoint should be kept at 185–200°C with valve-gate opening timed to fill completion; stagnation zones above 200°C for more than 10–15 min produce lactide and yellowing that are unacceptable in transparent jar walls. The base formulation is usually compounded with an acrylic impact modifier at 5–8 wt% to improve drop resistance of rigid cosmetic components, a colour or pearlescent masterbatch at 1–2 wt% in a PLA carrier, and an external slip additive at 0.1–0.3 wt% to reduce ejection friction on polished core surfaces. Melt temperature for thick-wall cosmetic packaging is set between 180°C and 195°C; mould temperature is maintained at 20–30°C for surface gloss and dimensional consistency. Injection pressure ranges from 70 MPa to 110 MPa, while holding pressure is typically 40–60 MPa. Cooling time for a 2.0 mm wall section is commonly 12–18 s when mould cooling circuits are operated with water at 10–15°C. Regulatory obligations for cosmetic packaging are primarily chemical safety rather than food-contact: REACH (EC) No 1907/2006 requires SVHC declaration above 0.1 wt% in the article, and the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC limits total lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium to 100 mg/kg. Terminal products include transparent jars, compact cases, lipstick sleeves, mascara tube outer bodies, deodorant stick barrels, and refillable cushion containers.
Where EN 71-3 migration limits apply to toy materials, LX130U compounds are formulated with heavy-metal-free pigment masterbatches at 2.0–4.0 wt%, an acrylic impact modifier at 4.0–7.0 wt%, and a fatty acid ester lubricant at 0.2–0.4 wt%; the lubricant package reduces plate-out on vented cores and improves release from undercuts in multi-cavity toy moulds. The production process is injection moulding on reciprocating-screw machines with shot sizes maintained between 40% and 80% of barrel capacity to control residence time, using melt temperatures of 185–205°C and mould temperatures of 15–25°C; clamping force is typically calculated at 4.0–5.5 kN/cm² of projected area to prevent flash on multi-part building blocks. Because small toy components often contain snap-fit bosses and thin ribs, tool design should avoid sharp transitions below 0.5 mm radius; mould shrinkage for unfilled LX130U is between 0.4% and 0.5%, and impact-modified grades may move toward 0.5% depending on modifier content and gate geometry. Compliance is assessed under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC and harmonised standard EN 71-3, which specifies migration limits for 19 elements in toy materials; where phthalates are used in any component, REACH Annex XVII restricts selected phthalates to 0.1 wt% in plasticised material. Terminal product types include building blocks, board-game tokens, sorting toys, nesting cups, puzzle-tray inserts, and toy food items intended for ambient indoor use.
The transition from neat amorphous LX130U to talc-filled compounds for horticultural articles is nonlinear: talc platelets raise low-shear viscosity and alter the pressure-temperature window in the mould. Published comparative data for this specific grade at high talc fractions is limited, but compounding records from twin-screw extrusion lines show that adding talc at 5–15 wt% through a side feed on a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with L/D 40:1 reduces mould shrinkage from approximately 0.4–0.5% to 0.2–0.4% and raises flexural modulus; in exchange, injection pressure requirements on subsequent moulding increase by 10–20% when talc loading moves above 8 wt%. Screw barrel setpoints during compounding are held between 170°C and 190°C to avoid PLA chain scission, while injection moulding of the filled compound uses melt temperatures of 190–210°C, mould temperatures of 15–25°C, and back pressures below 1.0 MPa to avoid over-shearing the filled melt. The filler also increases the moulded part’s surface roughness and reduces gloss, which is acceptable for plant-contact articles but not for transparent packaging. Compliance for compostability claims must be re-validated on the final filled formulation: EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 set requirements for disintegration, biodegradation, and ecotoxicity, and inert talc loadings above 10 wt% may extend disintegration time beyond the prescribed test window. The final injection-moulded product types include plant clips, vine clips, row markers, plant pots, seeding tags, and root-trainer components.
Thin-wall injection moulding of LX130U for portion cups and cold-drink lids is dominated by pressure drop across the cavity and the competing risk of shear heating at the gate. With wall stocks below 0.8 mm, injection velocities are often set between 200 mm/s and 350 mm/s using accumulator-assisted machines, and the melt temperature is held at 190–205°C; shear rates above 50,000 s-1 at the gate can generate local melt temperatures above 220°C, which causes gate-stringing, gloss variation, and chemical odour in food-contact parts. To manage this process window, formulations for thin-wall food-service packaging typically incorporate a high-clarity processing aid at 0.5–1.5 wt% and an external mould release agent at 0.2–0.5 wt%; if hinge lids or snap rims are required, an impact modifier is added at 2.0–4.0 wt%. Mould temperature is maintained at 20–30°C to balance fill distance against distortion after ejection; mould surfaces are cooled with water at 10–15°C and valve-gate hot runners are sequenced from the centre outward. Food-contact compliance is assessed under Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 with an overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm² using food simulant A (10% ethanol); U.S. compliance is based on the resin supplier’s FCN clearance. Operational boundaries are critical: continuous service above 45°C is not recommended because the amorphous PLA begins to soften near its glass-transition range, and hot-fill or microwave exposure should be excluded from the intended-use statement. Terminal products include portion cups, sauce cups, cold-drink lids, deli container lids, and sampling cups.
Rigid stationery components produced from LX130U are generally restricted to non-load-bearing geometries because the amorphous PLA retains adequate stiffness at ambient temperature but softens near 50°C; pen barrels, marker caps, and correction tape housings therefore avoid thin internal snap-fit arms that would creep during sustained assembly stress. The formulation uses a colour masterbatch at 1.0–3.0 wt% in PLA carrier, an acrylic impact modifier at 3.0–6.0 wt% for cap retention and drop performance, and an internal lubricant at 0.2–0.4 wt% to reduce gate-stringing and improve mould filling in long-flow barrel geometries. Production is performed on conventional cold-runner injection-moulding machines with edge gates placed at the closed end of barrels or caps; melt temperature is set at 185–200°C, mould temperature at 15–25°C, back pressure at 0.5–1.0 MPa, and hold pressure is maintained until the gate freezes to avoid sink marks around internal threads. Because stationery articles may be marketed to children, compliance is assessed under REACH (EC) No 1907/2006 and, where the article falls within the scope of the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, EN 71-3 migration limits for soluble elements; phthalate restrictions under REACH Annex XVII apply to any plasticised components at 0.1 wt%. Terminal product types include pen barrels, marker caps, correction tape housings, mechanical pencil bodies, desktop organisers, and loose-leaf ring components.
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Luminy LX130U is a medium-flow amorphous polylactic acid injection molding grade supplied by TotalEnergies Corbion. The product is delivered as cylindrical pellets and is processed on conventional injection molding machines using general-purpose screws. Because the material is amorphous, it does not exhibit a defined crystalline melting endotherm; differential scanning calorimetry according to ISO 11357-2:2020 typically shows a glass transition temperature near 55–60°C and no significant melting peak. Representative manufacturer datasheet values include a density of 1.24 g/cm³ by ISO 1183-1:2019, a melt mass-flow rate of 13 g/10 min at 210°C under 2.16 kg by ISO 1133-1:2022, and a tensile modulus of 3500 MPa by ISO 527-2:2012. The corresponding melt volume-flow rate is approximately 10.5 cm³/10 min when corrected for a melt density near 1.24 g/cm³.
Short-term mechanical data place LX130U among stiff, low-ductility PLA materials. A tensile yield strength of 45 MPa and an elongation at break of 5% are reported under ISO 527-2:2012, flexural strength is 70 MPa under ISO 178:2019, and notched Charpy impact strength is 3.5 kJ/m² at 23°C under ISO 179-1:2023. These results are typically obtained after conditioning at 23°C and 50% relative humidity for 40 h according to ISO 291:2008. The material is therefore better suited to rigid components than to snap-fit or high-impact applications. Sharp internal corners, deep undercuts, and stress concentrations require larger radii and thicker sections than would be acceptable in unfilled polypropylene or ABS.
In unfilled form, LX130U is used for rigid injection molded parts such as cosmetic packaging, caps and closures, office equipment housings, disposable cutlery, and non-sterile medical device components. The amorphous structure reduces differential shrinkage between flow and cross-flow directions compared with nucleated or semi-crystalline PLA grades. Mold shrinkage is typically in the range of 0.3–0.5% when measured on 3.2 mm plaques after 48 h at 23°C according to ISO 294-4:2018. The grade is not intended for continuous service at temperatures above its heat deflection temperature; under a load of 0.45 MPa, the HDT B value is approximately 55°C by ISO 75-2:2013 method B. This thermal limit excludes hot-fill packaging, dishwasher-exposed articles, and automotive interior parts subject to solar load unless an annealing or nucleation strategy is validated separately.
An amorphous PLA such as LX130U does not require a crystallization plateau during cooling. Mold temperature can be held at a comparatively low 15–40°C, which shortens cycle time and reduces energy demand on the mold temperature control unit. However, the absence of a crystalline network lowers the temperature at which the solid polymer begins to soften under load. The Vicat softening point is approximately 57°C under ISO 306:2022 method A50. Parts ejected above this temperature can show ejector-pin deformation, particularly when ejection force is concentrated on small pins. Tooling should distribute ejection force across large-diameter pins or blade ejectors and should include draft angles of at least 0.5–1° on deep draws.
Shrinkage behavior is more isotropic than in semi-crystalline PLA, but measurable post-mold shrinkage still occurs as free volume relaxes. On production-scale 120–180 t all-electric injection molding machines with 25:1 L/D general-purpose screws, molders commonly observe that holding pressure and gate freeze time influence part mass and sink more than dimensional variation. The amorphous phase does not undergo abrupt volume contraction at a crystallization temperature, so packing can be applied over a wider screw-position window without inducing gross warpage. Specific injection pressures of 80–120 MPa are typical for moderate wall sections of 1.5–3.0 mm; actual values vary with runner geometry, gate size, and flow length. Processors should not use excessive packing pressure as a substitute for adequate gate diameter, because overpacking can increase internal stress and make ejection more difficult.
Drying before processing is mandatory for LX130U because PLA undergoes hydrolysis at plastication temperatures in the presence of residual moisture. The supplier specifies a residual moisture content below 250 ppm before injection molding, with a desiccant dryer set at 80°C for 4 h and a supply-air dew point no higher than -30°C. Moisture content can be verified by Karl Fischer titration according to ISO 15512:2019. Pellets held in open containers at ambient relative humidity above 60% can regain surface moisture rapidly; hopper loading should be closed-loop, or hopper dryers should be used. At moisture levels above 500 ppm, hydrolytic chain scission produces a measurable decrease in melt viscosity, often detected as an unstable melt cushion, silver streaking on part surfaces, and reduced impact resistance.
Material handling should avoid co-mingling with polyolefins, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, or other incompatible regrind streams, because small fractions of foreign polymer can alter melt viscosity and phase compatibility. Regrind of LX130U can be evaluated, but repeated heat history shifts the melt mass-flow rate upward and narrows the processing window. Published data for high-regrind LX130U is limited; regrind fractions should be validated on the production tool rather than extrapolated from virgin-pellet rheology. Purging with strong alkaline or amine-based compounds should be avoided because polyester backbones are susceptible to aminolysis and alkaline hydrolysis.
Processing temperatures must balance melt fluidity against thermal degradation. A starting barrel profile for a general-purpose screw ranges from a rear zone of 160–180°C, a center zone of 180–200°C, and a front zone and nozzle of 200–210°C. Melt temperature measured at the nozzle should not exceed 210°C during continuous operation. Residence time above 220°C should be kept below 5 min because PLA undergoes thermal chain scission and lactide formation, which can lower viscosity and generate plate-out on tool surfaces. In hot-runner systems, manifold and drop-tip temperatures should be maintained within 190–210°C to prevent cold slugs without creating stagnant degradation zones.
Mold temperature has a direct effect on part gloss, replication of micro-textures, and ejection behavior. For unfilled LX130U, a mold temperature of 15–25°C is sufficient for short-cycle work when cooling water is supplied at 10–15°C. Higher mold temperatures up to 40°C improve surface gloss and filling of fine features but extend cycle time. Extended holding above the glass transition is not required because crystallization does not proceed at a commercially useful rate in this grade. Ejector pins should be polished, and the tool should be kept dry to reduce friction; PLA tends to stick to warm metal surfaces when packing pressure is excessive.
Injection speed profiling affects part aesthetics because jetting and gate blush are more likely in low-viscosity amorphous melts. Medium injection speeds of 30–100 mm/s are typically used for wall thicknesses of 1.5–3.0 mm. For thin-wall parts below 1.0 mm, high-speed fill is required, but published data for LX130U in sub-millimeter walls is limited. Screw back pressure is normally set between 0.5 and 1.5 MPa to ensure consistent melt density without excessive shear heating; decompression after plasticating should be minimized to prevent air entrapment in the shot. Screw recovery settings should be adjusted so that the total cycle does not exceed the thermal stability limit of the material.
Compliance for LX130U must be confirmed at the finished-article level rather than at pellet level. The following matrix summarizes the regulatory and test-method framework commonly used to evaluate the grade.
| Requirement | Standard or regulation | Verification scope |
|---|---|---|
| Melt mass-flow rate | ISO 1133-1:2022 | Raw material batch release |
| Heat deflection temperature | ISO 75-2:2013 method B | Material datasheet comparison |
| Moisture content | ISO 15512:2019 | Pre-drying quality control |
| Restriction of hazardous substances | RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU | Supplier declaration for Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr(VI), PBB, and PBDE |
| Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals | REACH (EC) No 1907/2006 | SVHC content below 0.1% w/w per article |
| Food-contact suitability | EU Regulation 10/2011 or applicable FCN | Migration testing on finished article |
LX130U differs from semi-crystalline PLA injection grades primarily in thermal resistance and dimensional behavior. A nucleated or annealed semi-crystalline PLA can reach HDT B values above 100°C after annealing, whereas amorphous LX130U remains below 55°C. The trade-off is lower and more isotropic mold shrinkage and reduced warpage in large, flat, or round components. In applications such as shallow trays, caps, and cosmetic housings, the amorphous grade may provide better flatness and circularity, but at the expense of elevated-temperature performance.
Compared with high-flow amorphous PLA grades, LX130U has a lower melt mass-flow rate. This implies longer plasticating time and slightly higher fill pressure in very thin walls. The advantage appears in melt cushion stability and reduced flash formation in multi-cavity tools with tight parting-line tolerances. Processors seeking wall sections below 0.8 mm or cycle times below 6 s should evaluate high-flow alternatives; published data for LX130U under these conditions is limited. Where part thickness is 1.5–3.0 mm and dimensional stability is more important than extreme fill speed, LX130U is a more conservative processing choice.
Compared with petroleum-based amorphous materials such as general-purpose ABS or polystyrene, LX130U has lower continuous-use temperature and higher moisture sensitivity. Its density of 1.24 g/cm³ is lower than filled PBT but higher than unfilled polypropylene. The material is biodegradable only under industrial composting conditions, not in ambient soil or marine environments. Compostability claims should be supported by certification such as EN 13432:2000 or ASTM D6400-23 on the finished article. These standards require specific disintegration and biodegradation thresholds and heavy-metal limits, and they do not automatically apply to multi-material assemblies, printed components, or adhesively bonded parts.
Typical industrial applications for LX130U include rigid consumer packaging, caps and closures, cosmetic components, office equipment housings, and non-sterile medical device components. For load-bearing or long-term exterior use, published data for this specific grade is limited; creep and weathering data should be generated according to ISO 899-2:2020 or ISO 4892-2:2013 before final material selection. Steam sterilization is not recommended because autoclave temperatures exceed the Vicat softening point; ethylene oxide or gamma irradiation may be considered but must be validated for molecular weight retention.
In injection molding production, LX130U should be purged with polypropylene or low-viscosity polyethylene before shutdown to reduce thermal degradation in the barrel. The material is incompatible with strong alkalis, amines, and prolonged contact with hot water above 50°C, all of which accelerate hydrolysis of the polyester backbone. Dimensional inspection of molded parts should occur after 24–48 h conditioning at 23°C and 50% relative humidity because short-term post-mold shrinkage can shift critical dimensions by 0.1–0.3% between ejection and final stabilization.
