| HS Code | 248322 |
| Material | Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) |
| Ethylene Content | 32 mol% |
| Density | 1.19 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 183 °C |
| Melt Flow Rate | 3.2 g/10 min (210 °C, 2.16 kg) |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 62 °C |
| Tensile Strength | 75 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 230% |
| Oxygen Transmission Rate | 0.4 ml·20 µm/m²·day·atm (20 °C, 65% RH) |
| Water Absorption | 2.6% (equilibrium at 20 °C, 65% RH) |
As an accredited Soarnol DC3203FB factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Soarnol DC3203FB ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin is supplied as pellets in 25 kg moisture-protective bags to ensure stability. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Soarnol DC3203FB shipped as 20′ FCL, packed in sealed bags on pallets, secured to prevent moisture damage during transit. |
| Shipping | Soarnol DC3203FB is an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer resin supplied as solid pellets. It is non-hazardous and not regulated for transport under IMDG, IATA, or ADR. Ship in clean, dry packaging, protect from moisture and direct sunlight, and store in a dry, ventilated area. |
| Storage | Store Soarnol DC3203FB in its original, unopened packaging in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and high humidity, as moisture absorption can affect performance. Maintain moderate, stable temperatures and avoid extreme temperature fluctuations. Ensure containers are tightly sealed when partially used to prevent contamination and moisture ingress. |
| Shelf Life | Soarnol DC3203FB has a typical shelf life of 2 years when stored sealed, cool, and dry. |
In a 120–150 µm retortable stand-up pouch constructed with a cast polypropylene sealant layer, a thin Soarnol DC3203FB core, and an outer polyethylene terephthalate or biaxially oriented nylon lamination, oxygen ingress under 23°C/50% RH cabinet conditions is controlled by the EVOH layer thickness rather than by total film gauge. The grade selected for this application, with a nominal ethylene content of 32 mol% and a melt flow rate of 3.2 g/10 min at 210°C under 2.16 kg, is coextruded at a melt temperature of 210–230°C and a die temperature of 225–240°C; when ambient relative humidity exceeds 60%, pre-drying at 80°C for 4–6 h to below 0.3% moisture is required before the barrier layer can be processed without melt fracture. The barrier core is maintained at 10–15 µm, corresponding to 7–10% of total film thickness. Retort cycles of 121°C for 30 min require the EVOH core to be shielded from direct steam moisture attack by a polypropylene inner layer and a maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene tie layer, with peel adhesion above 2.0 N/15 mm measured according to DIN 53357 or ASTM F904. Terminal package types produced with this structure include ready-to-eat rice and curry pouches, pet food retort trays, and oxygen-sensitive snack pouches. Food-contact compliance is demonstrated under FDA 21 CFR 177.1360 and EU Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, with overall migration below 10 mg/dm² by EN 1186-1:2002. On production-scale lines, retort delamination defects are commonly traced to steam purge residue at the die lip, which produces local adhesion failure above 0.5 mm peel width; purging with low-density polyethylene for 25–35 min when transitioning from nylon reduces carbonized specks that later become seal-channel leaks.
For aseptic brick and gable-top carton stock, Soarnol DC3203FB is processed by tandem extrusion coating as a 5–10 µm oxygen barrier layer between two polyethylene tie layers, yielding a total EVOH coating weight of 5–12 g/m² and a barrier layer proportion of 1.5–3.0% of the finished laminate mass. The board line operates at 250–320 m/min, with EVOH extruder barrel zones set at 200–240°C; the resin is dried at 80°C for 4 h to below 0.3% moisture before extrusion coating. Edge wicking at cut paperboard edges is controlled by maintaining the two PE layers at near-equal thickness, because an asymmetric structure exposes the EVOH layer to moisture through the polymer-paperboard interface and reduces oxygen barrier retention after filling. Compliance for long-life milk, juice, and liquid egg cartons is assessed under FDA 21 CFR 176.170(c) and EU Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, including migration testing per EN 1186-1:2002. Terminal product types include 1 L long-life UHT milk brick packs, 200–250 mL fruit juice gable-top cartons, and liquid egg board stock. The critical processing limit is EVOH melt curtain stability: at coating speeds above 300 m/min, draw resonance and pinholing occur unless the air gap is reduced below 200 mm and melt temperature is raised to 235–240°C; published data for DC3203FB specifically on tandem extrusion coaters with polyethylene imine primers are limited and should be confirmed through a line trial.
Pesticide and solvent-based agricultural formulations classified under UN Packing Group II or III require a 5-layer HDPE/tie/Soarnol DC3203FB/tie/HDPE bottle wall in which the EVOH layer is held at 8–12 µm within a 0.9–1.2 mm total wall, corresponding to 1.5–3.5 wt% of bottle weight. Shuttle blow molders and continuous wheel machines are operated with an EVOH melt temperature of 215–225°C, a head temperature of 220–230°C, and a blow-up ratio between 1.8:1 and 2.4:1; intermittent parison drop times above 6 s create pinch-off weld thinning and local barrier loss at the bottle base. Terminal product types include 500 mL and 1 L HDPE bottles for glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, and 2,4-D ester formulations, plus measuring chambers for solvent-based wood preservatives. Hydrocarbon storage stability is measured by oven aging filled bottles at 40°C for 180 days, with weight loss values below 0.3–0.8% per year according to ASTM D2684 or equivalent gravimetric methods; cyclohexanone-specific data for DC3203FB are limited and require filled-bottle validation because ketone interaction with EVOH differs from aromatic hydrocarbon interaction. Transport compliance is verified through UN Model Regulations leakproofness and internal pressure tests for liquids in Packing Group II or III.
A six-layer coextrusion blow-molded fuel tank running at a parison die gap of 1.8–2.5 mm and accumulator head temperature of 230–240°C places Soarnol DC3203FB as a 2–3% of total wall thickness barrier core between two maleic anhydride-grafted HDPE tie layers. With a nominal wall thickness of 5–8 mm, the EVOH layer is calculated at 100–150 µm; below 80 µm, diurnal hydrocarbon permeation exceeds 2 g/day in sealed housing evaporative determination according to SAE J2659 or SAE J1737, while above 180 µm, the additional layer stiffness reduces low-temperature impact energy absorption in ECE R34 Annex C drop tests. The EVOH stream is held at 205–225°C because accumulator residence times above 25 min at 230°C generate gel specks and interlayer gauge variation. Adhesion between the EVOH core and tie layer is measured as peel strength above 4 N/15 mm per ISO 8510-2 or ASTM D1876; production-scale delamination is most frequently observed at the pinch-off seam when tail flash removal exceeds 2 min or regrind fraction exceeds 30–35%. Terminal product types include passenger car fuel tanks for E10 gasoline, auxiliary tanks for light commercial vehicles, and carbon canister housings. Fuel blends containing methanol above 5% by volume or ethanol above 20% by volume require additional barrier validation because alcohol plasticization raises the oxygen permeation coefficient of 32 mol% ethylene EVOH; published data for DC3203FB in E85 service are limited.
After filling, oxygen-sensitive retinol, ascorbic acid, and niacinamide-containing emulsions in airless pump bottles and laminated tubes are specified with package wall oxygen ingress below 0.005 cm³/(package·day·atm) at 23°C to limit active loss to 10% over 12 months, as measured by headspace oxygen analysis using a PreSens Fibox trace optical oxygen meter. Soarnol DC3203FB is incorporated in a 5-layer laminate of polyolefin/tie/EVOH/tie/LLDPE at 3–6% of total laminate weight, corresponding to an 8–12 µm EVOH layer. Processing is performed by coextrusion blow molding or injection blow molding at 210–225°C, and the resin must be pre-dried at 80°C for 4–6 h to below 0.3% moisture because residual moisture raises melt fracture and reduces barrier retention after humidity exposure. Terminal product types include 30 mL airless pump bottles for vitamin C serum, 50 mL laminated tubes for retinol cream, and 15 mL single-dose sachets for sensitive active blends. The filled package is evaluated under EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 Article 17 for cosmetic product safety and ISO 22715:2006 for packaging quality, but no harmonized oxygen barrier test method is prescribed; brand specifications commonly add 40°C/75% RH storage for 90 days with HPLC assay to verify active retention.
Ethylene oxide-sterilized preformed sterile barrier systems use Soarnol DC3203FB as a 5–8 µm core in cast polypropylene sheet, corresponding to 4–7% of total sheet thickness, then thermoformed into trays at 130–150°C and lidded with uncoated Tyvek under ISO 11607-1:2019 and ISO 11607-2:2019, producing blister packs for syringes, catheters, and orthopedic fixation screws. Because gamma radiation above 25 kGy can reduce barrier retention and cause yellowing in EVOH, this grade is limited to ethylene oxide or hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization unless radiation validation with oxygen permeation data per ASTM F1927 is supplied.
On a 5-layer coextrusion line, PE-RT pipes with a PE-RT/tie/Soarnol DC3203FB/tie/PE-RT structure are extruded using a 30:1 L/D barrier extruder and spiral mandrel die zone temperatures of 230–240°C; the EVOH layer is fed at 5–8% of pipe mass, resulting in a 0.08–0.12 mm core for a 16×2.0 mm pipe. Oxygen diffusion through the pipe wall is maintained below 0.1 g/(m³·d) at 40°C under DIN 4726 and below 0.32 g/(m³·d) at 60°C in ISO 22391 piping systems. The resin must be pre-dried at 80°C for 4 h to below 0.3% moisture because residual moisture generates longitudinal die lines that reduce barrier uniformity and can cause local thin spots below 0.05 mm. Terminal product types include floor heating circuits for residential and commercial buildings, radiator connection pipes, and district heating service lines with continuous operating temperatures up to 60°C for PE-RT. Published data for DC3203FB in chlorinated potable water at pH 6.5–8.0 are limited; long-term hydrostatic tests are conducted per ISO 22391-2 with potable water rather than aggressive chemical dosing.
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Soarnol DC3203FB is an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer supplied for coextruded barrier film and sheet applications. The grade is designated by a nominal ethylene content of 32 mol%, a melt flow rate of 3.2 g/10 min at 190 °C/2.16 kg (ISO 1133-1:2022), a density of approximately 1.19 g/cm³ (ISO 1183-1) and a melting point near 183 °C (ISO 11357-3). The “FB” suffix denotes a specific film extrusion variant; because suffix meanings and release-specific values can vary among production sites, the current manufacturer technical datasheet remains the controlling reference for product specification. The resin is selected when a thermoformable barrier core is required between polyolefin skins or between tie layers and polyolefin skins in structures such as PP/tie/EVOH/tie/PP. As with all EVOH grades, the barrier function depends on maintaining low moisture content in the EVOH layer; the surrounding polyolefin and tie layers are not optional mechanical layers but are essential to preserve the oxygen barrier under refrigerated, frozen, or high-relative-humidity conditions.
The primary grade-level differences concern ethylene content, melt viscosity, barrier, and thermoformability. D2908, with 29 mol% ethylene and a melt flow rate near 8 g/10 min, provides lower oxygen permeability than DC3203FB under dry conditions and is used for rigid barrier containers where higher processing temperatures and lower moisture tolerance can be managed. DC3212B shares the same 32 mol% ethylene level as DC3203FB but is specified with a melt flow rate near 12 g/10 min; this lower melt viscosity supports thin encapsulation layers and long flow paths at reduced torque, but it also reduces melt strength in blown film and may require narrower die temperature control. A4412B, with 44 mol% ethylene, sacrifices some oxygen barrier for improved flex crack resistance, deeper draw thermoforming, and reduced moisture sensitivity. These distinctions are practical rather than hierarchical: a processor selecting DC3203FB is typically balancing oxygen transmission rate, melt curtain stability, and machine-direction orientation response in standard cast or blown coextrusion.
| Property | DC3203FB | D2908 | DC3212B | A4412B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethylene content (mol%) | 32 | 29 | 32 | 44 |
| Nominal melt flow rate (g/10 min, 190 °C, 2.16 kg) | 3.2 | 8 | 12 | 12 |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.19 | 1.19 | 1.19 | 1.14 |
| Melting point (°C) | 183 | 188 | 183 | 164 |
| Typical oxygen transmission rate (cm³·20 μm/m²·day·atm, 20 °C, 65% RH, ASTM D3985) | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.5 |
The tabulated values are representative of the DC3203 series and comparative grades; because the FB suffix can denote a specific additive package or pellet geometry, exact release-specific datasheets should be obtained before die design. Grade substitution is not numerically neutral. Replacing DC3203FB with DC3212B in an existing cast line lowers extruder head pressure and permits a higher throughput at the same screw speed, but it can also destabilize the melt curtain because the viscosity reduction reduces curtain tension and increases edge weave. Conversely, replacing D2908 with DC3203FB lowers the die temperature requirement slightly and improves flex-crack resistance, but it raises oxygen transmission under dry conditions. These trade-offs are quantified on the production line by measuring oxygen transmission of finished film at 20 °C and 65% RH (ASTM D3985) and by measuring layer thickness distribution with optical microscopy or radiation gauge scanning. The use of a 32 mol% grade should not be based solely on nominal oxygen permeability; the coextrusion line’s layer ratio stability, die width, and downstream slitting tensions determine the final barrier more strongly than resin permeability alone when the EVOH layer is below 5 μm.
In dry-barrier packaging at 0% RH, the oxygen transmission rate of a 32 mol% EVOH layer is commonly reported below 1.0 cm³·20 μm/m²·day·atm when measured at 20 °C using ASTM D3985. At 65% RH, DC3203FB typical values are cited near 0.8 cm³·20 μm/m²·day·atm; at 90% RH, the same layer can show a transmission increase of one to two orders of magnitude because absorbed water disrupts the vinyl alcohol hydrogen-bonding network. This humidity-dependent decline is not a product defect but a fundamental property of EVOH. For that reason, DC3203FB is positioned as an internal barrier core, not as an exposed surface layer, in high-moisture packaging. Coextruded structures for processed meat, sauces, soups, and retort pouches place the EVOH layer behind tie resins and polyolefin skins with moisture vapour transmission rates low enough to keep the EVOH layer below its critical humidity threshold during shelf life. The concentration of ethylene at 32 mol% is selected to shift this balance toward processability and flex crack resistance relative to 29 mol% grades while retaining lower permeability than 38 mol% to 44 mol% grades. A direct comparison should also evaluate aroma and solvent barrier, because the same polarity that provides oxygen barrier also retards non-polar hydrocarbon migration; however, published data for specific volatile compound transmission through DC3203FB are limited and are usually generated on the final multilayer structure rather than on the isolated EVOH resin.
Stable layer distribution in cast film and sheet coextrusion places constraints on extruder design, melt temperature, and die configuration that are not captured by melt flow rate alone. DC3203FB is typically processed on a single-screw extruder with 24:1 to 30:1 L/D ratio, a barrier screw with Maddock or spiral mixing elements, and a grooved feed section. Cylinder settings from feed throat to metering section are usually ramped from 180 °C to 220 °C, with adapters and die held at 220 °C to 230 °C. Because EVOH is shear-sensitive and thermally sensitive, excessive residence time above 230 °C can generate gel particles, crosslinked domains, and black specks. Equipment data from production lines indicate that residence times should be kept below 30 min and that purging with LDPE or a dedicated EVOH purge grade is required before shutdown and before transitions to other barrier resins. A melt pump between the extruder and die improves gauge uniformity and reduces surging, particularly when the EVOH layer is less than 10% of total film thickness. In cast film, die temperatures should remain uniform within ±3 °C across the width; wider deviations cause edge thinning, layer breakup, and optical defects. In blown film, the melt strength of DC3203FB supports bubble stability at blow-up ratios of 2.0:1 to 3.0:1, but frost line height should be kept short because EVOH crystallizes rapidly and can lose stretchability if overcooled. Published process bulletins recommend pre-drying to a moisture level below 0.05% or 500 ppm before extrusion; moist pellets produce hydrolysis, viscosity loss, splay, and reduced adhesion to tie resins. Drying is normally carried out at 80 °C to 90 °C for 4 h to 6 h with desiccant air, and transfer lines should be sealed to prevent moisture regain above 60% RH ambient conditions.
For thermoformed containers and retortable tray structures, DC3203FB is incorporated into a coextruded sheet that is subsequently heated to 90 °C to 130 °C before forming. The 32 mol% ethylene content lowers the forming temperature relative to 29 mol% EVOH and reduces the incidence of stress whitening and flex-crack pinholes in corner regions. However, deep-draw geometries still require plug-assist tooling, uniform sheet temperature, and adequate tie-layer thickness; published cavity depth limits for this specific grade are limited. In retort applications, the EVOH layer must remain isolated from steam and water contact during retorting, because direct contact at 121 °C for 30 min can produce haze and barrier deterioration even though the resin passes melt-integrity tests. Layer structures for retort usually use a thicker polypropylene cap layer and a tie resin with higher temperature resistance than standard maleated LLDPE tie resins. Published data for DC3203FB under high-pressure retort or high-humidity thermal cycling are limited; qualification therefore requires barrier measurement before and after retort on the finished tray, not on resin pellets or monolayer film alone.
Because interfacial adhesion between EVOH and polyolefin layers is not intrinsic, maleic anhydride-grafted polyolefin tie resins are required on both sides of the DC3203FB core. Typical tie-layer thickness in retort and thermoforming applications ranges from 5 μm to 15 μm; in thin cast film the tie layers may be reduced to 2 μm to 4 μm. Intermittent delamination during slitting and bag making is often traced not to resin chemistry but to poor melt contact at the feedblock, insufficient tie-layer thickness, or moisture in the EVOH. Adhesion evaluation is performed on the finished film by ASTM D1876; acceptance limits are structure-specific and are not established by an EVOH resin sheet alone. In structures with polypropylene skins, a maleated polypropylene tie resin is typically used, whereas polyethylene-based structures use maleated LLDPE or LDPE tie resins. When EVOH layer thickness drops below 3 μm, barrier performance can become non-linear with thickness because layer continuity defects dominate; absolute barrier then depends more on film gauge uniformity, die lip defects, and draw resonance than on resin permeability alone.
Migration control for mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons, limonene, and ketones extends the use of DC3203FB beyond oxygen protection in dry and liquid food packaging. In non-polar systems, the EVOH layer acts as a high-density hydrogen-bonded barrier that reduces the diffusion coefficient of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons by several orders of magnitude compared with polyolefins. The concentration of residual vinyl alcohol units remains sufficient to form crystalline domains that block non-polar molecules; however, the exact barrier factor depends on layer continuity, temperature, and chemical polarity. Published data for specific migrants through this grade are limited, and comparative migration testing should be performed under 40 °C or 60 °C conditions with food simulants defined in Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. In dry sachets and pharmaceutical blister lidding, DC3203FB can be coextruded between HDPE or PP skins and a peelable sealant layer; the EVOH core in such structures provides aroma retention and oxygen exclusion without requiring a foil layer. The use of an EVOH substitute for foil reduces metal detector interference, but it does not provide the same water-vapour barrier or total gas barrier as aluminium foil.
At-line quality control for DC3203FB coextrusions typically couples optical inspection with barrier testing on roll stock. Oxygen transmission is measured after 24 h conditioning at 23 °C and 50% RH using ASTM D3985 or ISO 15105-2. Layer thickness measurements are taken by microtome or optical profilometry at no fewer than 5 points across the web width. When barrier values exceed specification, the usual root causes are EVOH layer thickness variation, moisture-induced microvoids, tie-layer delamination, or feedblock instability. A documented control plan for DC3203FB should include melt temperature, extruder amps, melt pump pressure, die temperature profile, and chilled roll temperature, because these variables are more likely to explain batch-to-batch barrier variation than the resin melt flow rate itself.
Compliance documentation for food-contact use is supplied by the resin producer for defined end-use conditions. As an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, DC3203FB can be referenced under 21 CFR § 177.1360 in the United States and under Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 in the European Union when the finished multilayer composite meets the applicable overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm² and specific migration limits for the monomers and additives used. Compliance is structure-dependent: migration test results are influenced by layer thickness, tie-resin selection, processing temperature, and food simulant type. REACH and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU declarations are typically documented through the producer’s safety data sheet and regulatory certification. Halogenated packaging requirements may be met if the grade contains no brominated flame retardants; however, any customer-specific certification must be confirmed with the supplier.
| Framework / standard | Relevant reference | Typical obligation |
|---|---|---|
| US food contact | 21 CFR § 177.1360 | Finished article migration testing; resin alone does not provide FDA approval for all uses |
| EU plastic food contact | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 | Overall migration limit 10 mg/dm²; specific migration limits for monomers and additives |
| EU chemical safety | REACH | Registration, authorization, and SVHC communication as applicable |
| EU hazardous substances in electronics | RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU | No intentional use of restricted heavy metals or brominated flame retardants |
Drying limits and additive compatibility impose boundaries that are independent of regulatory compliance. The resin must be protected from moisture ingress above 0.05% and from high-humidity storage above 60% RH. Incompatibility with strongly acidic or alkaline additives, transition-metal stearates, and certain amine-based processing aids is documented for EVOH because these can accelerate hydrolysis, crosslinking, or discoloration. Processors should not rely on standard polyolefin purge procedures when metal stearates or amine-based additives remain in the system. The recommended purge sequence for DC3203FB is a medium-molecular-weight LDPE or a dedicated EVOH purge grade, with screw rotation maintained until the melt stream is visually clear and pressure has returned to baseline. This sequence removes residual EVOH gels and reduces the risk of interfacial defects in subsequent coextrusion runs.
