| HS Code | 107354 |
| Chemical Name | Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer |
| Vinyl Acetate Content | 25% |
| Melt Flow Index | 2 g/10 min (190°C/2.16kg) |
| Density | 0.947 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 75°C |
| Vicat Softening Temperature | 34°C |
| Tensile Strength | 16 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 800% |
| Flexural Modulus | 25 MPa |
| Shore Hardness | Shore D 36 |
| Brittle Temperature | -76°C |
As an accredited ELVAX 360 Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | ELVAX 360 Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer is supplied as translucent pellets in 25 kg polyethylene-lined paper bags. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL container loading of ELVAX 360 EVA copolymer: palletized bags, secured, ventilated, with stable weight distribution for safe transport. |
| Shipping | ELVAX 360 is shipped as solid pellets in multi-layer paper bags or drums. It is non-hazardous under normal conditions, but should be kept dry, away from direct heat, ignition sources, and strong oxidizers. Store in a cool, ventilated area, and avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures above 50°C to prevent clumping. |
| Storage | Store ELVAX 360 Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and strong oxidizers. Keep containers tightly closed when not in use to prevent contamination and moisture pickup. Avoid generating dust; maintain good housekeeping to minimize fire hazards. Follow manufacturer’s shelf-life guidelines. |
| Shelf Life | ELVAX 360 has a shelf life of two years when stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. |
In high-speed carton closing lines operating above 25 000 cases per hour, the replacement of a 28 wt% vinyl acetate EVA with ELVAX 360 shifts the melt viscosity and open time of hot melt adhesives in a way that changes applicator sequencing. ELVAX 360 contains 25 wt% vinyl acetate and has a melt index of 2.0 dg/min under ASTM D1238-23, with a nominal density of 0.95 g/cm³ under ASTM D792-20. It is added at 30 wt% to 40 wt% in a jacketed sigma-blade mixer or a hot melt twin-screw extruder with L/D 32:1. The tackifier phase is a hydrogenated C5 or C9 hydrocarbon resin at 25 wt% to 40 wt%, while paraffin wax with a melting point of 60°C to 80°C is held at 15 wt% to 25 wt%. A hindered phenol and phosphite antioxidant package is included at 0.5 wt% to 1.0 wt%. Mixing begins at 140°C and is completed at 160°C to 180°C; the higher molecular weight of ELVAX 360 relative to hot melt grades with a melt index of 25 dg/min to 45 dg/min produces Brookfield viscosity readings at 180°C that are one to two orders of magnitude greater, making gear-pump transfer necessary when coating speed exceeds 30 m/min. Slot-die application with a shim gap of 0.15 mm to 0.30 mm gives a coat weight of 8 g/m² to 15 g/m². Open time on uncoated kraft at 20°C shortens to 3 s to 8 s, and fiber-tearing adhesion measured by ASTM D1876-08 requires substrate temperatures above 10°C. Food-contact carton adhesives must comply with FDA 21 CFR 175.105; the EVA polymer itself is covered by FDA 21 CFR 177.1350(b) when used under the described conditions. Bookbinding formulations using ELVAX 360 improve page pull strength in perfect-bound books, but the higher application temperature near 170°C scorches thin coated covers if the adhesive pot is held longer than 8 h without nitrogen blanketing. Terminal products include side-seamed case cartons, book spines, and profile-wrapped furniture edges.
ELVAX 360 is dry-blended with 0.8 phr to 1.2 phr dicumyl peroxide, 2.5 phr to 4.0 phr azodicarbonamide, 1.0 phr to 2.0 phr zinc oxide, 0.5 phr to 1.0 phr stearic acid, and 10 phr to 15 phr precipitated calcium carbonate in a tangential internal mixer at 100°C to 110°C. The batch is sheeted on a two-roll mill at 90°C to 100°C, then preformed and compression molded at 160°C to 180°C under 15 MPa to 20 MPa. The cure window is narrow because dicumyl peroxide has a half-life of approximately 1 min at 171°C, while azodicarbonamide decomposes at 195°C to 210°C unless zinc oxide lowers the decomposition onset to 150°C to 160°C. If mold temperature exceeds 180°C, gas release occurs before sufficient crosslinks form, causing cell coalescence and internal splits. If mold temperature remains below 150°C, azodicarbonamide decomposition is incomplete and residual blowing agent and semicarbazide-related breakdown products remain above extraction limits. The mold is vented twice during the first 4 min of the cure cycle to remove water vapor and volatile decomposition products. Cell density is measured by ISO 845:2006, compression set by ASTM D395-18, and cellular structure by ASTM D3574-17. A moving die rheometer test according to ASTM D5289-19 is recommended to confirm the scorch time and cure plateau before transferring a laboratory formulation to production tooling. The cured foam at 0.15 g/cm³ to 0.25 g/cm³ is used in footwear midsoles, marine fenders, and expansion joint fillers. Acetic acid evolution above 200°C corrodes aluminum molds, so zinc stearate release agents are preferred over silicone emulsions. Published data for the exact cure rate of ELVAX 360 with alternative blowing agents is limited.
Blending ELVAX 360 into paving-grade bitumen at 4 wt% to 6 wt% shifts the service temperature window upward, but the high-shear mixer used for dispersion determines whether the polymer phase remains discrete or continuous. The bitumen is heated to 160°C to 180°C in a jacketed tank. ELVAX 360 pellets are then added at 4 wt% to 6 wt% under a rotor-stator mixer running at 3 000 rpm to 5 000 rpm, typically in a Silverson-type unit, for 90 min to 180 min. Polymer particle size is monitored by fluorescence microscopy or laser diffraction; particles below 10 μm are associated with a stable melt, whereas particles larger than 30 μm are associated with phase separation after storage. The modified bitumen is tested for softening point according to ASTM D36-14 and penetration at 25°C according to ASTM D5-20. Softening point increases between 10°C and 25°C when the polymer is properly dispersed, but the exact value depends on the asphaltene content of the source crude and the shear history. Storage stability is checked by the tube test method of EN 13399:2017, with an upper-lower softening point difference of less than 5°C after 72 h at 180°C. If the difference exceeds 5°C, the blend is outside the specification for paving-grade polymer-modified bitumen under EN 14023:2010. Elastic recovery is measured by ASTM D6084-21 and typically improves with EVA addition, but published data for this specific bitumen source and polymer grade is limited. Processing temperature must stay below 200°C to prevent acetic acid release and non-uniform viscosity loss. Terminal products include highway wearing course binders, bridge deck waterproofing membranes, and self-adhesive roofing compounds.
ELVAX 360 is used as the base resin in low-smoke zero-halogen cable sheath compounds because the 25 wt% vinyl acetate content permits high loadings of aluminum trihydrate or magnesium dihydrate without complete loss of elongation. A typical compound contains 100 phr ELVAX 360, 140 phr to 180 phr surface-treated aluminum trihydrate, 4 phr to 8 phr zinc borate, 0.5 phr to 1.5 phr vinyl triethoxysilane coupling agent, and a stabilizer system based on hindered amine and phenolic antioxidants. The filler is pre-dried at 80°C to 90°C until moisture content falls below 0.1 wt%, because water released in the extruder creates porosity and surface pitting. Compounding is carried out in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with L/D 40:1 and a barrel profile from 120°C at the feed throat to 190°C at the die, with screw speeds between 200 rpm and 350 rpm. The low melt index of 2.0 dg/min produces higher melt pressure and torque than high-flow EVA grades, so the extruder drive must be rated for at least 20% more torque than typical 33 wt% VA LSZH compounds. Die temperature must not exceed 210°C, because local acetic acid release triggers pockmarks and degrades the filler-matrix interface. The finished compound is tested for halogen acid gas generation by IEC 60754-1 and IEC 60754-2, smoke density by IEC 61034-2, and tensile strength and elongation by ASTM D638-22. Typical tensile strength for the filled compound ranges from 10 MPa to 15 MPa, with elongation at break from 150% to 250%. The terminal products include shipboard control cables, fiber optic cable sheaths, and underground railway cables. Because the formulation is highly abrasive, screw elements in the filler feed zone are replaced after 800 h to 1 200 h of production, depending on the filler source.
When ELVAX 360 is dispersed in paraffin wax, the blend becomes a scuff-resistant coating for corrugated board, but only if the melt temperature is kept below 170°C to avoid wax cracking. The wax is charged into a vertical stirred tank at 120°C to 150°C, and 3 wt% to 10 wt% ELVAX 360 is added under medium shear. Mixing continues for 30 min to 60 min until the melt clears and no gel particles are visible on a 100 μm drawdown bar. The blend is transferred to a curtain coater or roll coater running at 130°C to 160°C. Coat weight on corrugated medium is controlled at 20 g/m² to 50 g/m². The EVA phase raises low-temperature flexibility, reduces wax flake-off at freezer temperatures, and improves adhesion to printed surfaces. Compliance with FDA 21 CFR 176.170 is required when the coated board contacts aqueous and fatty food; the formulation must use a food-grade paraffin and an antioxidant permitted for the intended use. Scuff resistance is evaluated by ASTM D5264-98 or an equivalent rub test, and blocking resistance is assessed by conditioning stacked sheets under 40°C and 80% relative humidity for 24 h. The blend is not recommended for high-viscosity wax-coating machines that operate above 180°C because the EVA degrades and forms brown specks on the coated surface. Terminal products include waxed produce boxes, freezer paper, and paper-based food packaging.
In coextruded flexible packaging structures, a 25 wt% VA sealant layer containing ELVAX 360 is used when the pack must survive 70°C to 90°C hot-fill or pasteurization without delamination. The resin is dry-blended with 10 wt% to 30 wt% linear low-density polyethylene to reduce melt elasticity and then extruded through a 3-layer blown film die with a die gap of 1.2 mm to 2.0 mm. Melt temperature at the die is held between 185°C and 200°C. Because ELVAX 360 has a melt index of 2.0 dg/min, draw resonance and bubble instability occur at line speeds above 40 m/min unless the blend ratio raises the composite melt index above 5 dg/min. The sealant layer is 15 wt% to 25 wt% of total film thickness, with the remainder a polyamide or EVOH barrier layer and a polyolefin outer layer. Hot-tack strength is measured by ASTM F1921-12, and seal strength by ASTM F88/F88M-21. The higher vinyl acetate content lowers the seal initiation temperature by 5°C to 10°C compared with 18 wt% VA sealants, allowing the packaging line to reduce sealing jaw setpoint from 120°C to 110°C. For food contact, the sealant layer must comply with FDA 21 CFR 177.1350 and EU Regulation 10/2011 overall migration limits. If the film is stored longer than 6 months above 30°C, the tackifier-free structure prevents additive migration but the vinyl acetate segments may develop a slight vinegar odor during extrusion. Terminal products include retortable pouches, frozen food lidding film, and liquid detergent refill bags.
ELVAX 360 can serve as a carrier resin in chemical foaming agent masterbatches for polyolefin foam extrusion, but its low melt index makes dispersion geometry more important than screw speed. The masterbatch contains 30 wt% to 40 wt% azodicarbonamide or 20 wt% to 25 wt% sodium bicarbonate blended into ELVAX 360 plus 5 wt% processing wax and 0.5 wt% antioxidant. Compounding is performed in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with L/D 44:1, using distributive mixing elements rather than high-shear kneading blocks, at a melt temperature of 110°C to 125°C to keep the blowing agent below its decomposition onset. The strand die is operated at a pressure below 6 MPa to avoid premature gas formation. The pelletized masterbatch is dosed at 1 wt% to 3 wt% in low-density polyethylene foam extrusion, where the carrier resin contributes minor melt strength without dominating the foam morphology. If the melt temperature during masterbatch production rises above 140°C, the azodicarbonamide decomposes in the extruder and creates pellet voids. The carrier resin contains 25 wt% vinyl acetate, so storage in humid air above 60% relative humidity requires resealed foil-lined bags to prevent moisture pickup above 0.05 wt%. The final foam is tested for density by ASTM D792-20 or ISO 1183-1:2019, and for cell nucleation quality by visual rating against ASTM D3574-17. Terminal products include extruded polyethylene foam sheet for packaging, pipe insulation, and edge protectors. Published data for ELVAX 360 as a foaming-agent carrier under these specific screw configurations is limited.
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ELVAX 360 is an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin with a nominal vinyl acetate content of 25 wt% and a melt flow rate of 2.0 g/10 min measured at 190 °C and 2.16 kg in accordance with ASTM D1238. The typical density is 0.95 g/cm³ when tested to ASTM D1505 or ISO 1183-1:2019. The pendant acetate groups disrupt ethylene crystallinity and introduce polar interaction sites, placing the resin between lower-vinyl-acetate polyethylene-like grades and higher-vinyl-acetate low-melting grades. Because the melt flow rate is low within the 25 wt% VA family, ELVAX 360 is considered for hot-melt adhesives, wax modification, sealant thickening, and polyolefin compounding where high melt strength and elevated-temperature cohesive loading are required.
| Property | Typical value | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl acetate content | 25 wt% | ASTM D5594 / internal FTIR |
| Melt flow rate | 2.0 g/10 min | ASTM D1238, 190 °C / 2.16 kg |
| Density | 0.95 g/cm³ | ASTM D1505 / ISO 1183-1:2019 |
At 25 wt% VA, the copolymer has reduced lamellar thickness and lower crystalline enthalpy than 18 wt% VA EVA grades. The morphological change is detected by differential scanning calorimetry under ASTM D3418 as a lower peak melting point and reduced heat of fusion. In adhesive applications, this polarity shift can improve wetting of coated paperboard, corona-treated polyethylene, and aluminium foil when peel adhesion is measured by ASTM D1876. The same polarity shift reduces ultimate tensile strength and heat resistance relative to lower-vinyl-acetate grades, so load-bearing bonds above 55 °C require formulation adjustment.
Within the 25 wt% VA segment, the principal difference between ELVAX 360 and ELVAX 350 is melt flow. ELVAX 350 is listed with a melt flow rate near 19 g/10 min; ELVAX 360 at 2.0 g/10 min provides higher melt viscosity, lower melt drainage, and improved cohesive strength at elevated temperature. Against ELVAX 260 at 28 wt% VA and 6 g/10 min, ELVAX 360 shows a narrower adhesion spectrum on nonpolar substrates but better thermal resistance because of its lower VA content and lower melt flow. Grade selection is not a simple VA-content comparison; applicator pump capability, open time, and heat-fail requirements determine the appropriate grade.
| Grade | Nominal vinyl acetate content | Nominal melt flow rate | Primary selection consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELVAX 360 | 25 wt% | 2.0 g/10 min | High melt strength, high cohesive strength, lower melt penetration |
| ELVAX 350 | 25 wt% | 19 g/10 min | Lower applicator viscosity and faster pump delivery |
| ELVAX 260 | 28 wt% | 6 g/10 min | Higher polarity and adhesion, reduced heat resistance relative to 25 wt% VA |
| ELVAX 150 | 32 wt% | 43 g/10 min | High polarity, low melt viscosity for low-temperature adhesion |
In hot-melt adhesive compounding, ELVAX 360 is processed in heated sigma-blade or planetary mixers at 150–180 °C under nitrogen. Because the resin has a low melt flow rate, the addition sequence used on production lines is to first melt the tackifier and antioxidant package, then add ELVAX 360 pellets under low-speed agitation, and finally add wax once a clear melt is obtained. This sequence prevents localized gel formation when high-melting Fischer-Tropsch waxes are used. Viscosity is monitored with a Brookfield thermosel viscometer at 180 °C; batch acceptance is commonly set at ±5% of the target spindle torque. Direct addition of ELVAX 360 to molten wax above 180 °C without tackifier can produce clear melts but may extend batch time when low-shear mixing is used.
Thermal degradation on production tanks is controlled by melt-temperature alarms at 210 °C and by limiting heel volume to 20–30% of tank capacity during continuous operation. In-line filtration through 250 µm stainless-steel mesh removes char and undispersed antioxidant. For slot-die application, melt pressure is maintained within ±0.5 MPa and melt temperature within ±2 °C at the die to prevent viscosity swings that shift coat weight. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; equipment-specific qualification is required.
For solvent-borne sealants, ELVAX 360 is dissolved in toluene, xylene, or mixed aromatic-aliphatic solvents at 50–60 °C under high-shear dispersion. The 25 wt% VA level gives higher solvent tolerance than 18 wt% VA grades but lower solubility in pure low-boiling aliphatic solvents. Final solids content is typically limited to 20–40 wt% depending on viscosity and application method. High-shear mixing at 1,500–3,000 rpm in a jacketed disperser with a Cowles blade accelerates dissolution without exceeding solvent flashpoint. Residual solvent content in dried sealant films is determined by gas chromatography; published data for this specific configuration is limited.
For paraffin and microcrystalline wax modification, ELVAX 360 is charged at 2–15 wt% into molten wax at 130–150 °C to increase viscosity, raise fracture toughness, and reduce oil bleeding in coating and candle applications. The low melt flow rate requires longer dissolution times than high-melt-flow grades; a wax blending tank with turbine agitation at 500–1,000 rpm and recirculation through a 250 µm filter is used. The softening point of the wax blend is determined by ring-and-ball method ASTM E28. Because EVA can increase blend viscosity disproportionately at loadings above 10 wt%, formulators generate a viscosity response curve with a Brookfield thermosel at 150 °C before locking in batch composition.
Formulation latitude is widest when the VA content matches the polarity of the tackifier. C5 hydrocarbon resins show moderate compatibility; rosin esters and polyterpene resins give clearer, lower-viscosity melts because their polar functionality interacts with the acetate groups. High-acid-value rosin derivatives and amine-functional stabilizers should be screened for viscosity stability at 177 °C over 24 h; adverse combinations can accelerate deacetylation and shift heat-fail performance under ASTM D4498. For freezer-grade packaging, low-temperature flexibility is tested by mandrel bend at −20 °C under ASTM D3111. Formulations hardened with high-melt-point waxes above 15 wt% may pass heat-fail requirements but can fail the cold-flex mandrel test; this conflict defines the practical formulation window.
Production-scale hot-melt lines running ELVAX 360 report that batch-to-batch variability in melt flow rate within the commercial datasheet range can alter adhesive viscosity and open time more than changes in wax melting point. Closed-loop melt-pressure control with ±0.5 MPa setpoint limits and melt-temperature control of ±2 °C at the applicator are therefore used for high-speed packaging lines. The quality control protocol includes melt flow rate verification per ASTM D1238 on incoming resin, Brookfield viscosity at 180 °C, and ring-and-ball softening point per ASTM E28 on the compounded batch.
Open time and set time on packaging lines are measured with hot-melt bond test methods rather than treated as fixed material properties. On corrugated and coated carton stocks, ELVAX 360-based formulations at 170 °C application temperature typically produce longer open times than high-melt-flow homologs because the higher molecular weight reduces melt flow and slows substrate penetration. Set time is adjusted by wax crystallinity; 2–6 wt% high-melting microcrystalline wax shortens set time but can reduce cold flex. Production lines running at 150 m/min have used melt temperatures of 160–175 °C and compressed air at 0.4 MPa to control hot-melt droplet volume; published data for this specific configuration is limited.
In polyolefin blending, ELVAX 360 is let down into low-density or linear low-density polyethylene at 10–30 wt% to reduce crystalline continuity and improve environmental stress crack resistance. Environmental stress crack resistance is measured according to ASTM D1693; blends are exposed to 10% Igepal CO-630 solution at 50 °C after molding. The blend is compounded on a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with 40:1 L/D and distributive mixing elements at 180–200 °C. The low melt flow rate of ELVAX 360 can raise head pressure relative to higher-melt-flow grades, so screw speed and backpressure are adjusted to keep melt temperature below 220 °C. Melt filtration through a 150 µm screen pack removes undispersed EVA domains that appear as gel particles in cast film or sheet. The degree of dispersion is assessed by scanning electron microscopy of cryo-fractured specimens or by gel-count analysis on extruded film using a commercial optical scanner. Published data for this specific configuration is limited, and blend performance depends on polyethylene molecular structure as well as EVA domain size.
During cast-film and extrusion-coating operations, ELVAX 360 is dried at 60 °C for 4 h when storage humidity has exceeded 60% relative humidity. The resin is then fed to a single-screw extruder with a length-to-diameter ratio of 24:1 or greater and a barrier screw designed for polyolefins. Barrel temperatures are profiled from 120 °C at the feed section to 165–175 °C at the die; higher settings are avoided because melt temperature above 220 °C initiates deacetylation. Extrusion lines that process EVA after polypropylene purging use low-density polyethylene as an intermediate purge to avoid incompatible resin residues in the feed system. Screw speed is controlled to maintain melt pressure within the die at 10–20 MPa depending on die gap and line speed.
In halogen-free cable compounds, ELVAX 360 is compounded with aluminum trihydroxide or magnesium hydroxide at loadings of 150–250 phr in a 40:1 L/D twin-screw extruder. The acetate groups improve filler wetting and reduce aggregation; mechanical properties are tested by ASTM D638 on compression-molded plaques. The low-melt-flow grade provides higher melt strength for wire coating but increases head pressure; line speed is frequently limited by melt fracture rather than screw torque. Moisture must be controlled because metal hydroxide fillers can release water at processing temperatures; pre-drying is mandatory at 60–70 °C.
The primary decomposition pathway is the elimination of acetic acid from acetate groups, producing carbon-carbon unsaturation and odorous volatiles. On production equipment, excursions above 230 °C for more than 10 min can cause visible ambering, viscosity loss, and corrosion of unlined carbon steel by acetic acid. Stainless-steel or nickel-plated contact surfaces are specified for hot-melt tanks, pumps, and coating dies. Process stabilizers such as hindered phenols at 0.1–0.5 wt% protect the melt, but they do not eliminate the temperature ceiling. Start-up with low-density polyethylene purge and immediate shutdown when upstream equipment faults occur are required; EVA melt should not remain stagnant at 180 °C for more than 4 h unless a nitrogen blanket is verified.
In hot-melt mixing, the combination of high temperature and high acid value from certain rosin tackifiers can shorten melt life. Viscosity stability is tested at 177 °C for 24 h using a Brookfield thermosel; a viscosity drift greater than 10% is treated as a formulation failure for continuous operations. Because degradation products include acetic acid, pot-life limits are tied to local ventilation and corrosion control. Published data for this specific configuration is limited beyond the general decomposition onset range.
Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers are referenced in 21 CFR 177.1350 for food-contact articles; the clearance applies to the copolymer, and finished-article migration testing remains the responsibility of the converter. European Union food-contact assessment uses overall migration and specific migration limits under Regulation (EU) 10/2011; the applicable overall migration limit is 10 mg/dm² of food-contact surface for plastic articles, with higher limits for some infant-food configurations. RoHS Recast 2011/65/EU restricts lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers; EVA grades without these intentional additives fall outside the substance restrictions. REACH registration obligations apply to the monomers from which the polymer is produced, because the polymer itself is exempt from registration; the processor should obtain a safety data sheet and monomer registration confirmation for the purchased grade.
Operational boundaries are defined by the melt flow rate and thermal stability of the resin. In low-temperature hot-melt application, pump pressure increases with ELVAX 360 compared with 19 g/10 min or 43 g/10 min grades; piston-pump and gear-pump seals are selected for the higher melt viscosity, and hoses are heat-traced to 160–180 °C. On coating lines, slot-die shims are opened 0.1–0.2 mm wider than equivalent high-melt-flow formulations to compensate for the higher melt elasticity. The resin should not be used with strongly basic or amine-functional additives without aging validation, because such systems can hydrolyse acetate esters during extended hot-melt aging. Storage in unheated warehouses is acceptable; condensation on pellets should be removed by pre-drying before extrusion.
