| HS Code | 297630 |
| Density | 0.938 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate 190 C 2 16 Kg | 2.0 g/10 min |
| Vinyl Acetate Content | 19 wt% |
| Melting Point | 88 °C |
| Vicat Softening Point | 61 °C |
| Tensile Strength At Break | 15 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 800% |
| Hardness | 85 Shore A |
| Brittleness Temperature | -60 °C |
| Flexural Modulus | 20 MPa |
| Crystallinity | 20% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.35 W/(m·K) |
As an accredited Microthene FE53200 Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer (LyondellBasell) factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Microthene FE53200 EVA copolymer is supplied in 25 kg multi-wall paper bags, palletized and wrapped for safe transport and storage. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Load 20′ FCL with palletized bags of Microthene FE53200 EVA copolymer, ensuring dry, clean container and secure stowage to prevent shifting. |
| Shipping | Microthene FE53200 is an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin shipped as free-flowing pellets. It is non-hazardous per DOT/IMDG, but requires dry storage to prevent moisture pickup. Use dust-tight packaging, avoid static ignition sources, and handle with standard conveying equipment. Transport in heated or insulated containers if temperatures drop below 10°C. |
| Storage | Store Microthene FE53200 in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, open flames, and ignition sources. Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture uptake and dust contamination. Avoid generating dust clouds; use grounded equipment to prevent static discharge. Maintain separation from oxidizers and peroxide initiators. Follow all local regulations for polymer powder storage. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 2 years from date of manufacture if stored in original sealed packaging away from heat, moisture, and sunlight. |
In high-speed case and carton sealing lines, powdered ethylene-vinyl acetate with a nominal vinyl acetate content of 18% and a melt index of 8 g/10 min at 190 °C under 2.16 kg functions as the polymer backbone in hot-melt compounds rather than as a neat adhesive. The material is compounded in a jacketed sigma-blade mixer or a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with L/D ratio between 40:1 and 48:1 at a melt temperature of 130–160 °C. A starting formulation for carton closing comprises 30–40 wt% FE53200, 35–45 wt% aromatic-modified hydrocarbon tackifier, 15–25 wt% high-crystallinity Fischer-Tropsch wax, and 0.5–1.0 wt% hindered phenolic antioxidant. Mixing is continued under a vacuum of -0.08 MPa for 60–90 min to strip volatile species and prevent bubble formation in the molten adhesive. The finished compound is delivered through a slot-die or bead applicator at 160–175 °C. Dynamic viscosity is measured by ASTM D3236 at 180 °C and generally falls within 800–1,500 mPa·s for case sealing and 2,000–4,000 mPa·s for bookbinding formulations, depending on wax loading. Shear adhesion failure temperature is evaluated by ASTM D4498, while T-peel bond performance on corrugated board is tested by ASTM D1876. Because EVA begins thermal degradation through acetic acid elimination above 180 °C, the melt should be blanketed with nitrogen and residence time above 180 °C limited to 30 min. Powder pre-drying at 60 °C for 4–6 h is required if storage relative humidity exceeds 60%; otherwise steam-driven foaming and char buildup occur in the applicator nozzle. Terminal products include case sealing, tray erection, paperboard carton closing, and adhesive-bound book spines.
Scatter coating with FE53200 onto a needle-punched polyester nonwoven for automotive floor coverings requires a powder particle-size distribution sufficiently narrow to prevent blocking of engraved scatter rollers and uneven laydown. Published peel-strength data for FE53200 on polyester nonwovens is limited; the following process boundaries are derived from general EVA powder coating practice and production-scale scatter-coating lines. The line applies 300–800 g/m² of powder over the preheated nonwoven, followed by infrared and convection oven dwell at 150–190 °C for 45–120 s. The molten polymer is then nipped against a polyethylene backing film at 2–5 bar pressure. Peel adhesion measured by ISO 11339 or ASTM D903 is governed not only by coating weight but also by melt penetration into the fibre matrix. Penetration below 150 µm produces cohesive failure at the polymer-fibre interface, while penetration above 400 µm raises stiffness and reduces abrasion resistance. Oxidative induction time measured by ISO 11357-6 at 200 °C is used to compare thermal stabilisation. Oven temperature must not exceed 190 °C; above this threshold acetic acid evolution creates surface tack and gel specks. The terminal components are automotive floor mats, trunk liners, and entrance mat backings.
In calendered flexible PVC films for stationery, flooring membranes, and expansion-joint profiles, FE53200 is added at 5–15 phr as a polymeric flexibiliser that reduces migration of liquid plasticisers. The dry blend is prepared in a high-speed mixer at 110–120 °C. The EVA powder absorbs plasticiser and is then processed on a two-roll mill at 165–175 °C, followed by four-roll calendering at 175–190 °C. At addition levels above 15 phr, tensile modulus drops steeply and the compound becomes difficult to calender without sticking to polished rolls. Tensile properties are measured by ASTM D638-14; heat deflection under load is evaluated by ASTM D648 at 0.455 MPa. The vinyl acetate content of 18% provides sufficient polarity for partial compatibility with PVC, but optical clarity is reduced; therefore the modification is restricted to opaque or pigmented films and profiles. Avoid combination with amine-based heat stabilisers because residual amine groups can accelerate deacetylation and discolouration. Terminal products include high-elongation binder covers, floor leveling underlayment, and expansion-joint profiles for concrete flooring.
FE53200 can be used as a powder slush molding feedstock for instrument panel skins, door trim covers, and console skins where Shore A hardness below 85 is required. The powder is fed to a heated nickel-shell mould held at 220–260 °C. Residence time is 30–60 s to sinter a skin of 1.0–2.5 mm wall thickness, after which the mould is inverted to remove unsintered powder. The melt index of 8 g/10 min permits adequate flow into grain detail, but melt strength is lower than plastisol PVC; therefore the mould must be rotated or vibrated during heating to prevent pinholes. Hardness is measured with ISO 868, tensile properties with ISO 527-2, and flexural modulus with ISO 178. Mould temperatures above 260 °C cause surface tack and increase mould fouling from acetate degradation products. Terminal parts are low-gloss interior skins backed with polyurethane foam.
Chemical blowing agent masterbatches for EVA foam sheet and crosslinked foam products use FE53200 as a low-melting carrier because its melt point is low enough to disperse azodicarbonamide without pre-decomposition. A twin-screw extruder with screw design limiting shear heating, barrel temperature profile 85–110 °C, and die temperature 95–105 °C is required. Typical masterbatch composition is 55–70 wt% FE53200, 20–35 wt% azodicarbonamide, 5–10 wt% mineral oil or process aid, and 1–2 wt% zinc oxide kicker. The carrier melt index is checked by ISO 1133-1:2022; density is determined by ASTM D792. The masterbatch is pelletised under water-ring pelletisation with pellet temperature below 45 °C to prevent gas release. Terminal applications include EVA foam sheet for shoe midsoles, crosslinked foam tape, and pipe insulation. For food-contact foam gaskets, carrier selection must be verified against FDA 21 CFR 177.1350 and REACH restrictions.
Investment casting pattern waxes require a toughness modifier that reduces brittleness in thin trailing-edge sections of turbine blade patterns. FE53200 is blended with microcrystalline wax and hydrocarbon resin at 5–10 wt%. The compounding is performed in a stirred, oil-jacketed vessel at 110–130 °C under low-shear agitation for 45–60 min until the EVA is fully dissolved into the wax. The blend is then filtered through a 200 µm mesh and fed to pattern injection machines. Needle penetration measured by ASTM D1321 at 25 °C is reduced compared with unmodified paraffin, while tensile properties determined by ISO 527-2 show improved strain at break. The maximum addition level is limited to 10 wt% because higher EVA content raises melt viscosity and increases ash residue after burnout above 0.05%. Ceramic shell dewaxing must be complete before 120 °C. Terminal products are investment casting wax patterns for aerospace and industrial gas turbine components.
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Microthene FE53200 is a low-pressure polymerized ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer powder supplied by LyondellBasell. The grade is part of the Microthene powder family, but its 9.0% by weight vinyl acetate comonomer shifts the mechanical response out of the linear polyethylene envelope. Manufacturer-published typical values identify a melt flow rate of 8.0 g/10 min at 190 °C under 2.16 kg load in accordance with ASTM D1238, and a density of 0.928 g/cm³ determined by ASTM D1505. The material is supplied as a dry powder with a particle size distribution adapted to rotational molding charge preparation. Unlike compounded pellet feedstocks, the powder form permits direct dry blending with pigments and stabilizers before mold charging, provided the additives are matched to the thermal stability envelope of the acetate comonomer. The following statements are based on publicly available manufacturer typical-property data and are not to be read as lot-release specification values.
The vinyl acetate comonomer introduces lateral acetate groups that disrupt polyethylene crystallinity. This disruption lowers the melting point from the 105–115 °C range typical of low-density polyethylene to approximately 91 °C in FE53200. The density increases to 0.928 g/cm³ because the acetate group contributes more mass per unit volume than the displaced crystallinity, yet the flexural modulus decreases rather than increases. This non-linear structure-property relationship is the central reason the material is specified for flexible rotomolded parts where rigid LLDPE grades would fail by cracking during low-temperature deformation. The low-VA architecture retains hydrocarbon processability while improving toughness and surface softness relative to unmodified polyethylene of comparable melt index.
Compared with a conventional LLDPE rotational molding powder of 0.935 g/cm³ density and 5.0 g/10 min melt index, FE53200 exhibits lower flexural modulus, lower Vicat softening point, and greater elongation. In thin-wall flexible parts, this translates into reduced stress whitening and a lower probability of brittle failure at low service temperatures. Conversely, the modulus is below that of structural polyethylene parts, making the grade unsuitable for load-bearing walls unless the design compensates with ribbing or thicker cross sections.
Compared with higher-VA EVA copolymers in the 18–28% VA range, FE53200 is less polar, less tacky, and less prone to tack-driven agglomeration in storage. Higher-VA grades are used for hot-melt adhesives and extreme softness; FE53200 remains a thermoplastic powder for conventional rotational molding equipment. The lower VA content also means better thermal stability during long oven dwell times, although the acetate group still imposes a stricter upper-temperature limit than LLDPE. The melt flow rate of 8.0 g/10 min places the grade in a medium-high flow segment for rotational molding, supporting early mold-surface contact and bubble removal without generating excessive sag in thick sections.
In production-scale rotational molding, FE53200 is charged directly as a fine powder. The bulk density is a handling parameter and should be confirmed from the supplier certificate, but fine polyolefin powders of this type typically remain below 0.40 g/cm³. Oven air temperatures between 260 °C and 315 °C are common for polyolefin rotational molding; however, FE53200 requires monitoring of the peak internal air temperature rather than the oven set point alone. A target peak internal air temperature of 190–205 °C is widely used for low-VA EVA powders to achieve full coalescence while limiting acetate decomposition. If the peak internal air temperature exceeds 215 °C, the risk of acetic acid liberation, discoloration, and bubble formation increases substantially. Molds with complex undercuts or deep cavities may require a rest period at the upper internal temperature to consolidate the melt; the rest time is determined by trial on a specific mold rather than by a single universal value.
Pre-drying is not always required for sealed-container material, but powder stored at relative humidity above 60% should be dried at 60–70 °C for 2–4 hours before molding to minimize steam-induced porosity. Cooling rate after fusion influences part warpage and size; slow cooling in the mold is preferred for parts with thick walls to minimize differential shrinkage, while rapid cooling can be used for thin skins if straightness is not critical. Because EVA has a lower modulus than LLDPE at demolding temperature, ejection forces are generally lower, but surface scuffing is more likely if the part is removed too hot. External mold-release agents are often required because the acetate group increases surface tack relative to unmodified polyolefin powders.
| Property | Typical value | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| Melt flow rate | 8.0 g/10 min | ASTM D1238, 190 °C, 2.16 kg |
| Density | 0.928 g/cm³ | ASTM D1505 |
| Vinyl acetate content | 9.0% by weight | manufacturer internal method |
| Tensile stress at break | 13.0 MPa | ASTM D638, 50 mm/min |
| Elongation at break | 700% | ASTM D638 |
| Flexural modulus, 1% secant | 48 MPa | ASTM D790 |
| Hardness | 33 Shore D | ASTM D2240 |
| Vicat softening temperature | 66 °C | ASTM D1525 |
| Brittleness temperature | < -76 °C | ASTM D746 |
| Melting point | 91 °C | DSC |
The values in the table are typical points abstracted from manufacturer-published data sheets; they should not be interpreted as specification minima or maxima. Lot-to-lot variation, additive packages, and test specimen preparation can shift values by several percent. Where a certification is required, the current certificate of analysis should be requested from the supplier.
Dry blending of FE53200 with organic pigments, hindered phenolic antioxidants, and UV stabilizers is common before rotational molding. Because the polymer is supplied as a powder, additive concentration gradients observed in pellet compounding can be avoided if the blend is tumbled under low shear in a V-cone tumble blender or horizontal ribbon blender. However, high-shear premixing in a vertical high-intensity mixer should be temperature-limited to 45 °C for short cycles to prevent frictional agglomeration of the soft EVA particles. For continuous melt compounding, a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with L/D ratio near 32:1 and a screw profile using low-kneading-block intensity is recommended; melt temperature should be held in the 180–210 °C range. Higher melt temperatures can initiate deacetylation, causing acetic acid corrosion on downstream calendering rolls, vacuum vents, and molds. Published data for the specific compounding of FE53200 is limited; therefore, equipment settings should be validated on production-scale trials.
In injection molding conversion, the material is less commonly used as a standalone injection resin because the powder form and low shear particle structure are not optimized for single-screw metering at high rates. Where it is injection molded, a general-purpose polyolefin screw with a compression ratio of 2.5:1 to 3.0:1 and a melt temperature of 190–210 °C prevents overshear. Mold temperature should remain below 40 °C to avoid surface tack and part ejection problems.
The acetate comonomer is the primary driver of the material’s oxidative and thermal aging behavior. Under prolonged heat, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers can eliminate acetic acid through a six-center deacetylation reaction. The acetic acid generated lowers local pH and accelerates autocatalytic degradation. In practical rotational molding, long oven cycles or regrind reprocessing without replenishment of stabilization can reduce the melt flow rate and shift color toward yellow. The grade should be stabilized with a hindered phenolic antioxidant and a phosphite secondary antioxidant; selection of an acid-neutralizing co-stabilizer, such as a hydrotalcite or metal stearate, is relevant when regrind streams are high. Avoid amine-based stabilizers if they can migrate to the mold surface and generate plate-out, especially in water-assisted cooling or where adhesion to mold-release agents is critical.
The unsaturation and residual catalyst residues present in polyolefins can accelerate UV degradation. For outdoor service, UV absorbers and hindered amine light stabilizers are typically incorporated; however, the effectiveness is design-dependent. Parts with wall thickness below 3 mm may require higher stabilizer loading because the stabilizer reservoir is smaller and oxygen diffusion reaches the core faster. The upper service temperature should be limited to 60–70 °C for continuous load-bearing applications; short-term excursions above the Vicat softening point cause distortion and stress relaxation. The product is not suitable for contact with strong oxidizing acids, aromatic solvents, or high-octane fuels, which swell the acetate-containing matrix and promote extraction of low-molecular-weight fractions.
When FE53200 is substituted for a standard LLDPE rotational molding powder in a flexible part, the mold-shrinkage allowance must be recalculated because the EVA melt cools into a less crystalline solid with a different density. The density difference of 0.928 g/cm³ versus 0.935 g/cm³ for a common LLDPE does not directly predict shrinkage; actual shrinkage is controlled by crystallinity, wall thickness, cooling rate, and mold restraint. Flexible parts often exhibit higher shrinkage in thick sections and lower shrinkage in thin sections, so dimensional checks on prototype molds are necessary. In service, FE53200 provides better low-temperature impact resistance than many LLDPE grades of similar melt index, reducing split failures in cold environments. However, the lower room-temperature modulus means that unsupported vertical walls may bow under their own weight; designers compensate by adding stiffening features or selecting a higher-density polyethylene for adjacent structural sections. Published comparative data for this specific substitution on identical molds is limited, because mold geometry and cooling cycles dominate the result.
Use of FE53200 in food-contact applications should be verified against the manufacturer’s regulatory certifications. Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers with vinyl acetate content up to 9.0% may be covered under 21 CFR 177.1350 for certain food-contact uses, but the final article must meet extractive limitations and end-use restrictions. The powder form produces combustible dust; handling and conveying systems should be grounded and designed to control airborne dust concentrations below the lower explosive limit.
