chitin
polymerChitin is a natural biopolymer—a polysaccharide structurally similar to cellulose—derived primarily from the exoskeletons of arthropods (crustaceans, insects) and fungal cell walls. It is a renewable, biodegradable material that combines moderate mechanical strength with light weight, making it attractive for applications requiring sustainability and biocompatibility. Engineers select chitin and its derivatives (particularly chitosan) over synthetic polymers in biomedical, environmental remediation, and food processing contexts where degradability, non-toxicity, and antimicrobial properties are critical; it also serves as a precursor for advanced composites and functional films.
biomedical implants and wound dressingswater treatment and filtrationfood packaging and preservationcosmetics and pharmaceuticalslightweight composite reinforcementbiodegradable films and membranes
Compliance & Regulations
?UL 94?Conflict Free?RoHS?REACH?TSCA?Prop 65
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compressive Strength(σc) | — | ksi | — | — | |
Elongation at Break(εf) | — | - | — | — | |
Hardness (Vickers)(HV) | — | HV | — | — | |
Ultimate Tensile Strength(σUTS) | — | ksi | — | — | |
Young's Modulus(E) | — | ksi | — | — |
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glass Transition Temperature(Tg) | — | °F | — | — | |
Melting Point / Solidus(Tm) | — | °F | — | — | |
Maximum Service Temperature(Tmax) | — | °F | — | — | |
Thermal Conductivity(k) | — | BTU/(hr·ft·°F) | — | — |
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Refractive Index(n) | — | - | — | — |
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
Regulatory Screening
Environmental
Safety & Biocompatibility
RoHS, REACH, and Prop 65 statuses are validated against official substance lists (ECHA SVHC Candidate List, OEHHA Prop 65, RoHS Annex II). Other regulations are estimated from composition and material classification. All screening is a starting point for due diligence — always verify with your supplier before making compliance decisions.