| HS Code | 190211 |
| Density | 1.17 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate 190 C 2 16kg | 1.6 g/10 min |
| Ethylene Content | 38 mol% |
| Melting Point | 183 °C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 62 °C |
| Crystallization Temperature | 160 °C |
| Tensile Strength At Break 23 C 50 Rh | 80 MPa |
| Elongation At Break 23 C 50 Rh | 230% |
| Oxygen Transmission Rate 20μm Film 20 C 65 Rh | 2.0 cm³·20μm/(m²·day·atm) |
| Thermal Decomposition Temperature Tga | 300 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.55 |
| Water Absorption 20 C 65 Rh | 4.3% |
As an accredited EVOH EVAL H171B factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | EVOH EVAL H171B is supplied as virgin pellets in 25 kg multi-layer paper bags, protected from moisture. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL shipment of EVOH EVAL H171B resin, packed in sealed bags on pallets, securely stowed and ventilated. |
| Shipping | EVOH EVAL H171B is supplied as dry resin pellets in sealed 25 kg bags or bulk containers. Ship in clean, dry containers to prevent moisture absorption. Avoid high heat and direct sunlight during transport. Material is non-hazardous under normal conditions, suitable for standard road, rail, or sea freight. |
| Storage | Store EVOH EVAL H171B in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, heat, and ignition sources. Keep original container tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption, which can affect resin quality. Avoid high humidity and extreme temperatures. Keep out of reach of incompatible materials and handle with clean, dry equipment. |
| Shelf Life | Store in a cool, dry place in original sealed packaging. Shelf life is typically two years from manufacture date. |
In refrigerated protein packaging, the oxygen ingress allowed before metmyoglobin formation becomes visible in fresh red meat is typically below 0.5% residual oxygen in the pack atmosphere; a monolayer PP tray transmits more than 2,000 cm³/m²·day·atm at 23 °C, whereas a coextruded sheet containing an EVOH H171B core can reduce composite OTR to below 1.0 cm³/m²·day·atm when the barrier layer is intact. The core layer constitutes 60–90 µm within a 900–1,400 µm sheet, corresponding to 5–10% of total thickness and approximately 7–11 wt% after density correction for 1.17 g/cm³ EVOH against 0.90 g/cm³ polypropylene. This addition ratio is set by the requirement that the EVOH layer be thick enough to avoid pinhole-driven oxygen ingress but thin enough not to stiffen the sheet beyond the thermoforming window. Drawing and forming on production-scale coextrusion lines uses a five-layer feedblock and flex-lip sheet die; PP outer layers are processed at 225–240 °C, the EVOH core is maintained at 210–225 °C, and maleated PP tie layers run at 220–230 °C. EVOH pellets are dried in a desiccant dryer at 80–90 °C for at least 4 h to 0.15 wt% moisture or less, with a drying air dew point no higher than -40 °C. On actual lines the dominant failure mode is layer-thickness variation across sheet width due to melt-viscosity mismatch; this is controlled by melt-pump pressure regulation and die-lip adjustment to maintain EVOH thickness within ±5% of target. Thermoformed terminal products include MAP trays for fresh red meat, poultry, ready meals, dairy cups, and lidding for prepared salads. Food-contact compliance falls under 21 CFR 177.1360 and (EU) No 10/2011, with overall migration below 10 mg/dm² by EN 1186-1.
The oxygen ingress limit for mould growth on sliced processed cheese is governed by the EVOH core layer, which is coextruded between polyolefin external layers and maleated tie layers in a five-layer blown film line. The barrier layer is typically 4–8 µm thick inside a 50–80 µm film, representing 5–12% of total thickness. Compliance with 21 CFR 177.1360 and (EU) No 10/2011 is required for direct food contact, with overall migration below 10 mg/dm² by EN 1186-1. On the production line, the die gap is set between 1.8 mm and 2.2 mm, the blow-up ratio is held at 2.0–2.5, and EVOH melt temperature is maintained at 210–225 °C. Frost line height is adjusted to minimise uniaxial orientation in the EVOH layer before crystallisation; excessive machine-direction draw can introduce micro-cracks that raise oxygen transmission after flexing. Film property validation follows ASTM D3985 for oxygen transmission rate and ASTM F392 for flex-crack resistance. Terminal film formats include vacuum skin packaging, shrink bags, and lidding for sliced cheese, processed meat, and fresh pasta. Published data for this specific configuration is limited beyond resin supplier technical bulletins.
Ambient distribution of oxygen-sensitive sauces such as ketchup, mayonnaise and tomato paste demands that container oxygen ingress remain below the level that causes vitamin C degradation and browning over a 12-month shelf life at 25 °C. In a six-layer extrusion blow moulded container with an EVOH H171B core, the barrier layer is specified at 20–50 µm within a 0.7–1.0 mm wall, corresponding to 3–6% of total thickness. Food-contact compliance follows 21 CFR 177.1360 and (EU) No 10/2011, with migration testing by EN 1186-1. Production occurs on a shuttle or wheel blow moulder with a six-layer accumulator head; EVOH melt temperature is controlled at 210–220 °C, while HDPE outer layers run at 190–205 °C and the maleic anhydride–grafted tie layer at 200–220 °C. Parison programming is used to maintain EVOH layer distribution within ±10% because viscosity mismatch with HDPE can cause layer thinning at the parison pinch line. External regrind incorporation into the regrind layer is limited to 30% to avoid gel specks. Terminal products include multilayer barrier bottles for ketchup, mayonnaise, barbecue sauces, and squeeze tubes for tomato paste and cosmetic creams.
| Application segment | Regulatory standard | Test method | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food-contact sheet, film, bottles, pouches | 21 CFR 177.1360; (EU) No 10/2011 | EN 1186-1 | 10 mg/dm² overall migration |
| Automotive fuel tank barrier layer | 40 CFR Part 86; CARB LEV III | SAE J1737 | Evaporative emission certification by vehicle or fuel-tank class |
| Paperboard liquid packaging | 21 CFR 176.170; (EU) No 10/2011 | EN 1186-1 | 10 mg/dm² overall migration |
Fuel tank coextrusion uses H171B for hydrocarbon barrier in a six-layer structure: HDPE/tie/EVOH/tie/regrind/HDPE. The EVOH layer is 80–200 µm thick in a 5–8 mm parison wall, equal to 1.5–3.5 vol% of the tank shell. Compliance is evaluated against EPA evaporative emission requirements under 40 CFR Part 86, California LEV III standards, and permeation procedures aligned with SAE J1737. On a production-scale accumulator head coextrusion blow moulder with shot capacities from 15 kg to 50 kg, EVOH melt temperature is capped at 205–215 °C; HDPE and maleated HDPE tie resins run at 200–220 °C and 210–225 °C, respectively. The critical defect is pinch-off delamination: during mould close, the parison welds under compression, and exposed EVOH at the weld can absorb moisture or fuel, causing interlayer separation. The accumulator head and die gap are therefore adjusted so that HDPE completely encapsulates the EVOH at the pinch line; parison programming with 100-point wall thickness control maintains barrier layer distribution within ±10% of target. Regrind from rejected tanks and trimmed flash is incorporated into the regrind layer at controlled percentages, with incoming flake moisture below 0.15 wt% before processing. Terminal products include passenger vehicle fuel tanks, multi-layer jerry cans for solvent and fuel transport, and small-engine fuel tanks for marine and garden equipment. Published data for evaporative emission performance with fuel C and ethanol blends in this specific EVOH grade is limited; fuel permeation values must be generated on the finished tank according to the applicable certification protocol.
During steam retort processing at 121 °C for 30 min, water vapour plasticises EVOH and temporarily lowers its oxygen barrier. A retortable stand-up pouch laminate therefore buries an EVOH H171B layer between a hydrophobic polypropylene outer layer and a high-tie inner sealant, preventing direct steam contact. The barrier layer is 10–15 µm thick within a 100–130 µm laminate, representing 8–12% of total thickness. Compliance with 21 CFR 177.1360 and (EU) No 10/2011 applies, with overall migration below 10 mg/dm² by EN 1186-1. Downstream processing uses coextrusion lamination or adhesive lamination, with EVOH melt temperature at 210–220 °C and retort pouch sealing at 190–210 °C. Terminal product types include retort pouches for ready meals, soups, pet food, and baby food. The high-moisture environment after retorting means oxygen barrier after processing is lower than dry-film values; shelf-life testing on the retorted laminate is mandatory.
Liquid packaging board structures for juice and dairy cartons insert an EVOH H171B extrusion coating beneath the polyolefin food-contact layer to suppress oxygen ingress while retaining heat-seal performance. The EVOH layer is 10–15 µm thick within a 400–500 µm paperboard structure, about 3–4% of total thickness. Compliance is required under 21 CFR 177.1360 for the EVOH and 21 CFR 176.170 for the paperboard component, with European food-contact compliance under (EU) No 10/2011 and migration testing by EN 1186-1. On extrusion coating and laminating lines, EVOH melt temperature is held at 220–230 °C, and paperboard moisture is controlled below 7% before coating to avoid steam blistering at the EVOH interface. Terminal product types include gable-top juice cartons, dairy cartons, and aseptic brick packages. Direct liquid contact with EVOH is prevented by the inner polyethylene layer because the resin is water-sensitive; paperboard moisture above 7% creates interfacial steam defects.
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Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer grade EVOH EVAL H171B is a random copolymer containing 38 mol% ethylene, supplied for coextruded barrier film, sheet, and blow-moulded containers. The melt mass-flow rate is 1.7 g/10 min when measured at 190 °C under a 2160 g load in accordance with ISO 1133-1:2022; density is 1.17 g/cm³ when tested to ISO 1183-1:2019; and the melting point is 177 °C when measured by differential scanning calorimetry at 10 K/min according to ISO 11357-3:2018. The oxygen transmission rate of a 20 μm film at 20 °C and 65 % relative humidity is 0.8 cm³·20 μm/m²·day·atm when tested to ASTM D3985-17. These properties identify a grade that is lower in dry-state barrier and moisture sensitivity than 27 and 32 mol% ethylene EVAL grades, but higher in thermoformability and flex-crack resistance.
EVOH EVAL H171B is not applied as a monolayer barrier in moist food packaging because absorbed water reversibly reduces oxygen barrier. The resin is used in symmetrical five-layer and seven-layer structures, most commonly polypropylene/tie/H171B/tie/PP, where outer polyolefin skins limit moisture ingress. Because the grade has no inherent adhesion to polyolefins, maleic anhydride-grafted tie layers are required; tie-layer peel strength below 1.5 N/15 mm in the finished structure, measured by ASTM D1876-08(2015), is generally considered insufficient for distribution stresses.
| Property | Standard | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Melt mass-flow rate | ISO 1133-1:2022 | 190 °C, 2160 g load |
| Density | ISO 1183-1:2019 | 23 °C, immersion |
| Melting point | ISO 11357-3:2018 | DSC, 10 K/min |
| Oxygen transmission rate | ASTM D3985-17 | 20 °C, 0/65/85 % RH |
| Water vapour transmission rate | ASTM F1249-20 | 40 °C, 90 % RH |
| Flex durability | ASTM F392-93(2019) | Gelbo flex cycle count as specified |
Melt processing of H171B is constrained by two opposing degradation modes: hydrolysis by residual and atmospheric moisture, and thermal degradation at elevated melt temperature. Pellets exposed to air at relative humidity above 60 % absorb enough water within 2 to 4 h to cause melt hydrolysis unless pre-drying is applied. Pre-drying in dehumidified air at 80 °C for 4–6 h, or at 90 °C for 2–3 h, is specified when moisture content exceeds 0.3 % by weight. Acceptable moisture at the extruder throat is below 0.1 %; higher residual moisture produces acid-catalysed hydrolysis of vinyl alcohol units, generating gel particles, surface roughness, and acetic odour at the die.
Production-scale sheet lines use a barrier screw with L/D 28–30 and barrel zones set from 180 °C near the feed throat to 220 °C at the metering section. Melt temperature at the adapter is maintained at 215–225 °C, and the die is set at 220–230 °C. The practical melt-temperature window is narrow: below 215 °C, high viscosity and unmelted core particles generate pressure spikes and poor layer formation; above 230 °C, thermal degradation accelerates and gel specks form after residence times as short as 15 min. For a 60 mm single-screw extruder running at 60 min⁻¹, head pressure typically falls between 8 and 12 MPa; pressure excursions beyond ±3 % at constant screw speed indicate feed-bridge instability or filtration blockage. The polymer should pass through 250–400 μm screen packs, and the screens should be inspected after each run because black specks in the pack correlate with local melt temperatures above 240 °C in dead spots. Total melt residence time should not exceed 30 min; this requires sizing the extruder to the line output and avoiding oversized adapters. Before shutdown, low-density polyethylene purge at 220 °C for 15–20 min displaces EVOH from the barrel, adapter, and die to prevent crosslinked residue that would seed gel during the next start-up.
In coextruded sheet, H171B is placed between tie layers with a minimum tie thickness of 2–3 μm. Typical EVOH layer thickness is 10–15 μm in trays; control of die lip gap and layer uniformity across the web is critical because oxygen barrier is inversely related to gauge. Automatic gauge-control systems based on beta or infrared scanning maintain thickness variation below ±1 μm for barrier-critical structures. Thickness deviations above ±2 μm create local oxygen-transmission hot spots that dominate package permeability.
The 38 mol% ethylene content of H171B places it between 32 mol% F171B and 44 mol% E105B. Relative to lower-ethylene EVAL L171B and F171B, H171B has a lower melting point, lower dry-state oxygen barrier, and lower stiffness. The melting point falls from approximately 191 °C for L171B to 177 °C for H171B; this lowers the sheet preheat temperature in thermoforming and reduces exposure of the outer polyolefin skins to excessive sag. The loss in dry-state barrier is substantial: a 20 μm monolayer film of H171B transmits roughly 2× to 2.5× the oxygen of L171B at 65 % RH. In exchange, the higher ethylene content reduces hydrogen-bond density, improves room-temperature flexibility, and reduces pinholing after Gelbo flex testing according to ASTM F392-93(2019). The onset temperature for forming H171B sheet is approximately 10–15 K lower than for L171B sheet of equivalent gauge. The grade is therefore preferred for deep-draw trays and squeezable tubes, where forming and flex cracking are the primary failure modes rather than oxygen-limited shelf life.
The oxygen permeability does not increase linearly with ethylene content. Moving from 32 mol% to 38 mol% ethylene produces a larger relative humidity-dependent loss in barrier than the numerical difference in ethylene content suggests, because the reduction in crystalline fraction disproportionately increases oxygen diffusion in the amorphous regions. Compared with polyamide MXD6, H171B provides lower oxygen permeability at 50–65 % RH, but above 80 % RH the relative advantage can invert because PA-MXD6 retains more barrier under high-moisture conditions. Published comparative data for the specific package structure should be used before layer substitution.
Oxygen barrier in H171B is a function of relative humidity because water acts as a plasticiser in the amorphous phase. At 20 °C and 0 % RH the oxygen transmission rate of 20 μm film is 0.3 cm³/m²·day·atm; at 65 % RH it rises to 0.8 cm³/m²·day·atm; and at 85 % RH it reaches 1.6–2.0 cm³/m²·day·atm under ASTM D3985-17. The transition is reversible, but wet-state barrier cannot be recovered in a humid package environment. This behaviour dictates the multilayer architecture: H171B must be encapsulated between moisture-limiting skins, and the tie layers must remain continuous to prevent channels for moisture ingress along interfacial boundaries. If the outer polyolefin skin thickness falls below 20 μm, moisture permeation into the EVOH layer increases and the oxygen barrier can degrade within weeks at 25 °C/85 % RH. Long-shelf-life moist products require a skin thickness of 30–50 μm or the addition of desiccant layers in the structure; published data for the specific performance of H171B in desiccant-buried structures is limited.
Water vapour transmission rate is high relative to polyolefins. A 20 μm H171B monolayer film tested at 40 °C and 90 % RH to ASTM F1249-20 exhibits WVTR in the range 25–35 g/m²·day, although converter-specific data should be requested because gauge and thermal history alter the amorphous fraction. This WVTR is 10–20× greater than LLDPE of similar gauge, confirming that EVOH functions as an oxygen barrier only when dry, not as a moisture barrier.
Substituting H171B for L171B in an existing barrier package is not a direct drop-in if the specification is written as an oxygen ingress limit at 65 % RH. The lower dry-state oxygen barrier of H171B means that the EVOH layer thickness must be increased by a factor of 1.5× to 2× to maintain equivalent oxygen transmission. A structure designed with 10 μm L171B therefore requires approximately 15–20 μm H171B. This gauge increase raises layer cost and may require adjustment of the coextrusion feedblock to maintain the same skin-layer thickness ratios. In return, thermoforming scrap can fall because H171B forms deeper draw ratios at lower sheet surface temperatures, and packages subjected to repeated mechanical flexing develop fewer pinholes. The grade is used in deep-draw trays, barrier containers, stand-up pouches, cosmetic tubes, and refill pouches.
For retortable structures, published data for this specific grade configuration is limited. Retort treatment imposes saturated steam at 121 °C, and moisture ingress into the EVOH layer during the retort pulse can depress oxygen barrier unless the outer polypropylene skin and tie layers are sufficiently thick and the EVOH layer is kept below the critical moisture threshold. The structure must be dry before filling and retort; if not, wet-state barrier loss becomes irreversible after the package is cooled. H171B is not compatible with direct contact to high-moisture foods without protective skins, and it should not be blended with acid scavengers or nylon in the same layer unless the formulation is supported by specific migration and adhesion data.
Food-contact compliance is evaluated under FDA 21 CFR 177.1360 and EU Commission Regulation 10/2011 for the finished multilayered package, not the resin alone. Migration limits are simulant-specific; testing should be performed on the final structure at the highest expected fill temperature and with the food simulants assigned under the regulation. Because H171B is hygroscopic, conditioning prior to migration testing can shift the absolute migration values. No published data are available for all packaging configurations; converter-specific documentation is required for each package design. The resin is not for direct food contact as a monolayer.
