| HS Code | 345707 |
| Chemical Formula | (C4H6O2)n |
| Cas Number | 9003-20-7 |
| Appearance | Colorless to white translucent solid (beads, granules, or powder) |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.19 g/cm³ at 20°C |
| Melting Point | 60°C (softens; amorphous polymer lacks a true melting point) |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 30-40°C |
| Refractive Index | 1.4665 at 20°C |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water; soluble in acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform |
| Thermal Decomposition Temperature | Approximately 200-300°C |
As an accredited Polyvinyl Acetate factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Polyvinyl acetate is packaged in 25 kg multi-walled paper bags with inner polyethylene liner, ensuring moisture protection. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Polyvinyl acetate in 20′ FCL is loaded as palletized drums/IBCs, securely dunnaged to prevent shifting during transit. |
| Shipping | Polyvinyl acetate is typically shipped as a non-hazardous chemical in sealed drums, totes, or bulk containers. Protect from moisture, extreme heat, and freezing to maintain stability. No special hazmat labeling is usually required, but standard safe handling and clean, well-ventilated transport conditions are recommended. |
| Storage | Store Polyvinyl Acetate in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, and open flames. Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption and contamination. Avoid contact with strong oxidizers and acids. Maintain stable temperatures, ideally between 5–30°C. Ensure proper labeling and segregation from incompatible materials. Use within manufacturer’s specified shelf life. |
| Shelf Life | Store tightly sealed, cool and dry. Shelf life: typically 24 months from manufacture if unopened; avoid freezing. |
Wood lamination adhesives based on polyvinyl acetate homopolymer dispersions are formulated around the durability classes defined in EN 204 and tested under EN 205 lap-shear conditioning sequences. The wet adhesive is prepared in a slow-speed anchor mixer at 20–60 rpm to avoid shear-induced destabilization of the anionic dispersion, then vacuum-defoamed at −0.08 MPa before drum filling. A standard dry-interior grade contains 70–85 wt% of a 50–55% solids polyvinyl acetate dispersion, 3.5–6.0 wt% polyvinyl alcohol stabilizer on dry polymer mass, 2.5–6.0 wt% benzoate or citrate plasticizer, and 5–15 phr calcium carbonate filler. For D3 wet-service classification, 1–3 wt% of an acid-catalysed crosslinker such as aluminium chloride or glyoxal is incorporated immediately before application; the resulting mix exhibits a pot life of 2–6 h at 20°C and is not recoverable once viscosity rise exceeds 30%.
Application on hardwood or softwood panels uses single-side spread rates of 120–180 g/m², open times of 4–10 min at 20°C and 60% RH, and cold-press or high-frequency press consolidation at 0.4–1.0 MPa for 15–60 min depending on board moisture content and species permeability. Factory lines processing edge-glued beech, oak, or pine panels monitor adhesive viscosity at 5,000–15,000 mPa·s and pH at 3.5–5.5; pH below 2.5 or addition of multivalent salts without controlled shear produces irreversible grit and bondline starvation. Terminal finished product types include interior furniture panels, kitchen cabinet door frames, dowel-joined chairs, veneer edge-banding, and ready-to-assemble laminated shelves. Polyvinyl acetate is not rated for D4 exterior exposure; continuous water contact extracts plasticizer and produces bondline creep, so exterior laminating applications require polyurethane, phenol-resorcinol, or melamine-based systems.
| Durability class | Exposure condition | Reference test | PVAc grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | Interior, dry | EN 205 | Homopolymer PVAc |
| D2 | Interior, short cold-water exposure | EN 205 | Plasticised homopolymer |
| D3 | Wet interior, water immersion | EN 205 | Crosslinked PVAc |
| D4 | Exterior, weather exposure | EN 205 | Not suitable as sole binder |
In high-speed paper converting operations running at 150–300 m/min, polyvinyl acetate dispersions provide wet tack for spiral tube winding, side-seam closing, and paper-to-paper lamination where compression dwell time is under 5 s. The working adhesive is diluted from a 50–60% solids emulsion to 30–45% solids and modified with 10–20 wt% dextrin or starch ether to reduce stringing and extend open time. Brookfield viscosity at 25°C is held between 1,500 mPa·s and 4,500 mPa·s; plasticizer addition remains at 2–5 wt% of adhesive solids, and defoamer is dosed at 0.05–0.2 wt%. Disc or slot-die applicators deposit 3–8 g/m² dry coat weight before compression belts apply 0.2–0.6 MPa nip pressure. Infrared or hot-air tunnels at 120–140°C dry the bondline within 8–15 s, after which the reel is slit and packed.
Food-contact packaging grades are evaluated against FDA 21 CFR 175.105 for adhesives and, where the paperboard itself is in direct contact with aqueous or fatty foods, the finished converter must confirm the substrate under FDA 21 CFR 176.170 or EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004. Terminal products include spiral paper cores for tissue and film reels, multi-wall paper sacks, folding carton side seams, paper straw overwrap, and laminated tray corners. Polyvinyl acetate does not bond untreated low-surface-energy films without surface activation; corona treatment of polyethylene to 38–42 mN/m is required before extrusion-laminated film-to-paper lamination, and wet-strength packaging for prolonged moisture contact requires a copolymer or crosslinker upgrade.
In pigmented paper and board coating, polyvinyl acetate latex is used as a co-binder with starch to modify water retention, dry pick, and stiffness without raising the high-shear viscosity of the colour as much as starch alone. The coating colour is built on 100 parts pigment, usually ground calcium carbonate, kaolin, or their blend, with total binder between 10 pph and 18 pph. Of this, polyvinyl acetate solids account for 4–8 pph, and enzyme-converted or oxidised starch accounts for 4–8 pph; final coating solids are held at 55–65%, and pH is adjusted with ammonia to 8.0–9.0 before the blade coater application. A jet cooker gelatinises starch at 105–120°C, and the cooked starch is cooled below 50°C before letdown into the PVAc dispersion to prevent thermal coagulation.
Blade coaters running at 800–1,800 m/min lay down 6–12 g/m² dry coat weight, followed by four-zone drying at 90–180°C for 3–7 s and soft calendering at 80–160 kN/m. Coated board is tested for brightness according to ISO 2470-1:2016, Parker Print Surf roughness according to ISO 8791-2:2013, and bending stiffness according to ISO 2493-1:2020; direct food-contact board must satisfy FDA 21 CFR 176.170 substance-specific limits or the applicable member-state measures under EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004. Terminal finished products include coated folding boxboard for dry food, pharmaceutical leaflets, luxury packaging, direct-mail covers, and inkjet photo paper. Above 10 pph PVAc binder, blade pressure demand and streaking tendency increase, and wet-pick strength becomes more sensitive to drying-rate variations than with styrene-butadiene latex-dominated coatings.
Where textile finishers require a formaldehyde-free stiffening binder for nonwoven and woven substrates, polyvinyl acetate homopolymer dispersions are pad-mangled at 20–60 g/L polymer solids for soft-to-medium hand or 80–150 g/L for rigid interlining. Wet pickup at the two-roll horizontal mangle is controlled at 60–80% with nip pressure of 2–4 bar, producing a dry add-on of 8–20% on fabric mass. Crosslinking is obtained with glyoxal at 0.5–2.0 wt% of binder solids catalysed by magnesium chloride hexahydrate at 0.1–0.3 wt%. The web is dried on a stenter frame at 120–150°C for 2–5 min; exhaust humidity is kept below 65 g/m³ to prevent surface skinning and after-cure yellowing.
Fabric performance is assessed for dimensional change by AATCC 135, washfastness by AATCC 61, and restricted substance compliance under OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Annex 6 limits for monomer residues and formaldehyde. Terminal finished product types include suit collar and lapel interlinings, needle-punched nonwoven wipes, mattress ticking stiffening, drapability-controlled curtain binders, and automotive trunk-liner binders. Polyvinyl acetate is not durable to alkaline laundering unless fully crosslinked; below 0.5 wt% glyoxal on binder solids, tensile strength retention after five home launderings falls below the level required for washable apparel interlining.
Polyvinyl acetate and vinyl acetate-ethylene dispersions are formulated into interior flat wall paints where low-odour application and moderate wet abrasion resistance are required. The binder is added at 8–18 wt% polymer solids on total wet paint, with pigment volume concentration maintained between 45% and 75% to ensure dry hiding and sacrificial burnish resistance. Pigment and extender are predispersed in a Cowles high-shear disperser at 1,200–3,000 rpm for 20–40 min to a Hegman fineness of 4–5. Letdown mixing is then performed at 500–800 rpm to avoid coagulation of the PVAc dispersion. Final viscosity is adjusted to 90–110 KU on a Stormer viscometer, and coalescent is limited to 2–4 wt% of binder solids to comply with volatile organic compound limits under EU Directive 2004/42/EC or national architectural coating rules.
Wet scrub resistance is determined by ISO 11998, classification is reported under EN 13300, and United States market qualification may use ASTM D2486 scrub-cycle testing. Terminal products include interior ceiling paint, flat wall paint for low-humidity rooms, drywall primer, and decorative plaster bond coats. Polyvinyl acetate homopolymer wet scrub resistance is below acrylic or styrene-acrylic formulations, and freeze-thaw stability without glycol modification is insufficient for storage below 0°C; bathrooms and condensation-prone kitchens require a wet-room validated copolymer or acrylic upgrade.
Chewing gum base compounding selects polyvinyl acetate grades with low-to-medium molecular weight, commonly reported between 12,000 g/mol and 50,000 g/mol, and incorporates them at 15–40 wt% of gum base mass to control chew stiffness, cud integrity, and plasticizer retention. The base is processed in a sigma-blade or Z-blade mixer at 110–130°C for 60–120 min under nitrogen to limit oxidative discoloration. The cooled gum base is then calendered and later mixed with sweeteners and flavours at 50–60°C in a double-arm kneader before extrusion, rolling, scoring, and wrapping at 20–25°C. Terminal finished product types include stick chewing gum, pellet gum, bubble gum base, and coated gum products.
In the United States, polyvinyl acetate is permitted as a masticatory substance in chewing gum base under 21 CFR 172.615, and grade release includes residual vinyl acetate monomer control according to the Food Chemicals Codex monograph. European Union treatment is determined through the applicable national food law for chewing gum base rather than an assigned food additive E number; published data for proprietary gum base ratios and exact molecular weight cut-offs is limited, so each formulation must be qualified through migration and sensory evaluation. High-molecular-weight PVAc above 50,000 g/mol raises melt viscosity beyond practical processing limits and causes cud hardening; plasticizer type and concentration must be controlled to avoid migration and sensory defects.
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Polyvinyl acetate (CAS 9003-20-7) is an atactic, amorphous thermoplastic vinyl ester resin produced by free-radical emulsion polymerisation of vinyl acetate monomer. Because the polymer is supplied commercially as a stabilised aqueous dispersion rather than as pelletised moulding resin, grade designation is defined by non-volatile content, Brookfield viscosity, pH, particle-size distribution, protective-colloid type, and minimum film formation temperature. Homopolymer dispersions for woodworking and paper converting typically contain 45–55 wt% polymer solids, exhibit Brookfield viscosities of 1,000–30,000 mPa·s at 23 °C under ISO 2555, and have pH values from 3.0 to 6.5 under ISO 976. The dried homopolymer shows a glass transition temperature of 28–31 °C when measured by differential scanning calorimetry under ISO 11357-2, a density near 1.19 g/cm³, and strong adhesion to cellulosic substrates. Vinyl acetate ethylene copolymer grades contain 10–20 wt% ethylene and lower the MFFT to 0–5 °C.
The acetate side group is susceptible to hydrolysis, so the dried resin is distinguished from polyvinyl alcohol by insolubility after coalescence. Under alkaline conditions above pH 8, particularly at temperatures above 40 °C, acetyl groups are cleaved to release polyvinyl alcohol and acetic acid; film cohesion falls and acetic acid odour develops. The homopolymer also exhibits thermoplastic creep under sustained load as temperature approaches 40–50 °C, which is why wood adhesives are plasticised or crosslinked for service above ambient conditions. Tensile properties of cast films determined under ASTM D638-14 depend strongly on plasticiser content: elongation at break is commonly below 5% for unplasticised film and above 100% for heavily plasticised formulations. Published data for extrusion-grade PVAc compounds are limited because thermal degradation begins to evolve acetic acid near 150–200 °C; industrial processing is therefore carried out almost entirely in aqueous dispersion form below 100 °C.
In a 2,000 L jacketed stainless steel letdown vessel with an anchor agitator operating at 30–60 rpm, high-shear mixing is avoided because localised mechanical energy input destabilises the emulsion and produces coagulum that blocks 100-mesh bag filters. Post-polymerisation stripping of residual vinyl acetate monomer is performed under vacuum at 50–60 °C; headspace gas chromatography is used to confirm residual monomer below 0.1 wt% for low-odour food-packaging grades. The emulsion must be stored between 5 °C and 35 °C. A single freeze-thaw cycle at -5 °C is usually sufficient to coagulate unprotected homopolymer grades, and thawing does not restore colloidal stability.
Commercial data sheets report solids content according to ISO 3251, dynamic viscosity according to ISO 2555, pH according to ISO 976, MFFT according to ISO 2115, and particle-size distribution according to ISO 22412. The specification ranges shown in the table below are general industrial values for generic grades; specific supplier batches may deviate within ±1 wt% on solids and ±10% on viscosity without affecting processing performance.
| Parameter | Wood adhesive homopolymer | Paper laminating homopolymer | VAE copolymer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-volatile content | 48–52 wt% | 50–55 wt% | 52–60 wt% |
| Brookfield viscosity at 23 °C | 8,000–14,000 mPa·s | 2,000–4,000 mPa·s | 1,000–3,000 mPa·s |
| pH | 3.0–4.5 | 4.0–5.0 | 4.0–6.5 |
| MFFT | 15–18 °C | 15–20 °C | 0–5 °C |
| Particle-size range | 1.0–3.0 µm | 0.5–2.0 µm | 0.3–1.0 µm |
Finer particle-size grades improve wet-film clarity and penetration into porous board but raise viscosity and reduce mechanical shear stability. Conversely, coarse-particle woodworking grades tolerate higher filler additions but may show lower initial tack on dense substrates.
Woodworking adhesives based on PVAc homopolymer are applied at 120–180 g/m² by roller coater or curtain coater. Under press conditions of 0.7–1.4 MPa at 20–25 °C for 10–30 min, beech test assemblies generally produce fibre failure when tested under EN 205. Uncrosslinked formulations satisfy the EN 204 D2 interior classification; addition of 5–10 wt% blocked polyisocyanate or aluminium chloride crosslinking catalyst raises the film to EN 204 D3, suitable for intermittent water exposure. Continuous hot-water or exterior exposure is not supported by straight homopolymer systems unless copolymerised with ethylene or crosslinked. At 20 °C and 65% RH, open assembly time for a medium-viscosity wood glue is typically 5–10 min, which constrains large-area panel assembly on slow production lines.
For paper converting and packaging, a homopolymer grade with a Brookfield viscosity of 2,000–4,000 mPa·s is metered by three-roll applicator at 20–35 g/m² dry coat weight onto clay-coated board. The adhesive is expected to produce fibre-tearing bonds after 3–8 s of open time at 25 °C and 50–60% RH. Compliance for food-contact adhesives is assessed under FDA 21 CFR 175.105 for the adhesive itself; finished articles must also meet overall migration limits under EU Regulation 10/2011 where applicable. The dried PVAc film has limited moisture resistance, so the product is selected for dry food packages and non-contact packaging but is not recommended for wet-filled containers or exterior corrugated exposure without lamination.
On a production paper-lamination line, the emulsion is recirculated through a closed doctor-chamber system. Foam is controlled with 0.1–0.3 wt% of a silicone-free defoamer. Centrifugal pump recirculation above 1,500 rpm has been observed to produce visible grit after 4 h, so lobe pumps are preferred for continuous operation. Wet coat weight is checked by differential weighing at three points across the web; deviation greater than ±5% from target is corrected by roll-gap adjustment rather than by changing solids content.
Polyvinyl acetate homopolymer is selected as a lower-cost alternative to acrylic emulsion where adhesion to cellulose, board, and paper is the dominant requirement and where ultraviolet exposure and wet scrubbing are not process demands. Acrylic emulsions generally provide better hydrolysis resistance, better exterior durability, and a broader glass transition range from -30 °C to 100 °C, but they are more expensive and may show lower dry adhesion to unprimed clay-coated board at equal coat weight. PVAc homopolymer is sensitive to alkaline hydrolysis; acrylic backbones are generally resistant to pH values up to 10. In paper lamination, PVAc delivers acceptable dry strength and higher initial tack on porous stocks, but its higher Tg reduces cold-formability. Vinyl acetate-ethylene grades bridge the flexibility gap: their MFFT ranges from 0 to 5 °C and they adhere better to low-energy films than homopolymer, though creep resistance is lower than acrylic or polyurethane dispersions.
| Resin | Typical Tg | Water resistance of dried film | Adhesion to cellulosic substrates | Alkaline hydrolysis resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVAc homopolymer | 28–31 °C | Moderate; strength loss above 70% RH | High | Low; hydrolyses above pH 8 |
| PVOH | 75–85 °C | Water-soluble | High | Moderate |
| Acrylic emulsion | -30 to 100 °C | High | Moderate | High |
| EVA copolymer | -30 to 0 °C depending on vinyl acetate content | High | Moderate | High |
The main operational boundary for PVAc is loss of cohesive strength above 50 °C and under sustained humidity. It must not be combined with strongly cationic additives, cationic surfactants, or concentrated amines because electrostatic destabilisation of the anionic emulsion produces immediate coagulation. Boric acid complexes with the polyvinyl alcohol protective colloid and can increase viscosity or form gel bodies; aluminium sulphate and other trivalent salts may similarly produce particle aggregation. Addition of more than 10 parts per hundred resin of low-molecular-weight plasticiser lowers wood-bond strength and increases long-term creep, and plasticiser migration into porous substrates can embrittle the film. For exterior wood bonding, straight PVAc is not equivalent to phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde, melamine-urea-formaldehyde, or one-component polyurethane systems under EN 301 and EN 302; PVAc is limited to protected interior or short-exposure uses unless specifically formulated as a crosslinking D3 product.
In architectural coatings, PVAc and VAE dispersions are used as binders in interior flat and satin paints at pigment volume concentrations from 40 to 70%. Scrub resistance measured under ISO 11998 is lower than that of acrylic binders, but dry hiding and stain resistance are acceptable for interior ceilings and dry-wall areas. Because the acetate ester is vulnerable to hydrolysis under alkaline fillers, formula pH is maintained below 8.5; ammonia additions must be kept minimal. Exterior use is not recommended unless the formulation incorporates UV absorbers and a more hydrophobic binder.
In nonwoven binder applications, a self-crosslinking VAE grade with MFFT from 0 to 5 °C is applied at 15–25 wt% binder add-on and dried on a stenter frame at 130–150 °C for 2–3 min. The cured web retains softness and tensile strength under ISO 9073-3, while residual formaldehyde must be controlled below 20 ppm depending on end-use certification. This end use demonstrates the technical advantage of VAE over homopolymer PVAc: low-MFFT film formation without volatile coalescent.
