| HS Code | 445375 |
| Ethylene Content | 38 mol% |
| Density | 1.17 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate | 1.0 g/10 min (190°C, 2.16 kg) |
| Melting Point | 183 °C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 62 °C |
| Tensile Strength At Break | 85 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 230% |
| Flexural Modulus | 3200 MPa |
| Oxygen Transmission Rate | 0.3 cm³·mm/m²·day·atm (20°C, 65% RH) |
| Water Vapor Transmission Rate | 1.2 g·mm/m²·day (40°C, 90% RH) |
| Moisture Absorption | 4.2% (equilibrium at 20°C, 65% RH) |
| Refractive Index | 1.54 |
| Volume Resistivity | 1×10^14 Ω·cm |
| Thermal Decomposition Temperature | 220 °C |
As an accredited EVOH EW-3801S factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | EVOH EW-3801S is supplied as 25 kg sealed bags on pallets, wrapped in stretch film to ensure safe, dry transport. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL shipment of EVOH EW-3801S resin, packed in 25 kg bags on pallets, shrink-wrapped, and securely containerized. |
| Shipping | EVOH EW-3801S is a non-hazardous ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer resin supplied as dry pellets. Ship in sealed bags or containers to prevent moisture uptake, keep away from heat, and store in a cool, dry area. Transport by standard freight is acceptable; no dangerous goods declaration required. |
| Storage | Store EVOH EW-3801S in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption and contamination. Avoid exposure to rain, humidity, and extreme temperatures. Use clean equipment when handling, and rotate stock to maintain shelf life. Follow all safety and material handling guidelines. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is 24 months from date of manufacture when stored in original sealed packaging, away from heat, moisture, and light. |
EVOH EW-3801S is an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer in the 38 mol% ethylene class. Differential scanning calorimetry under ISO 11357-3:2018 typically records the melting endotherm between 170 °C and 180 °C. Extrusion is maintained at melt temperatures from 200 °C to 230 °C, and hold-up above 230 °C is limited to less than 30 minutes to suppress thermally induced gel particles. Grade-specific melt flow rate is verified at 190 °C under 2.16 kg load per ISO 1133-1:2022, with the absolute value controlled by the supplier datasheet. Pellet moisture above 0.10% by weight causes hydrolysis, die-lip build-up, and pinhole defects on cast film lines; therefore opened bags are dried in a desiccant dryer with a dew point below -40 °C at 80–90 °C for 4 h when ambient relative humidity exceeds 60%. The downstream segments are limited to multilayer structures where polyolefin skins protect the EW-3801S layer from direct liquid water contact and where oxygen transmission is quantified per ASTM D3985 or ISO 15105-2.
Five-layer cast film structures for modified-atmosphere packaging of fresh red meat and cheese use a PE/tie/EVOH/tie/PE thickness ratio of 72/3/5/3/17 with total film thickness from 60 µm to 120 µm. The EW-3801S layer is kept at 3–7% of total thickness because a 5 µm layer of comparable 38 mol% EVOH can produce an oxygen transmission rate below 1.0 cm³/m²·day·atm at 23 °C and 0% RH when measured per ASTM D3985. At 85% RH the same layer loses barrier because water plasticization increases oxygen transmission; therefore structures either add desiccant tie layers or accept a shortened shelf-life claim. Cast line hardware for this structure includes a barrier extruder with L/D 30:1 and a die lip gap of 40 µm; the die temperature is held at 215–225 °C and the cooling roll is set from 20 °C to 30 °C. Production-scale failure modes include transverse gauge bands when the EW-3801S melt flow rate drifts more than ±0.3 g/10 min and gel streaks when pellet moisture exceeds 0.10% by weight. Published data for this specific film configuration should be confirmed by pilot line trial because tie resin type and layer gauge variation can shift absolute oxygen transmission by approximately ±20%. Compliance for direct food contact rests on 21 CFR 177.1360, EU 10/2011 Annex I, and overall migration below 10 mg/dm² tested per EN 1186-1:2002. Terminal products include lidding films, flow-pack pouches, and vacuum pouches for chilled processed meat, fresh produce, and dairy.
| Standard or regulation | Scope | Test method | Acceptance criterion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 CFR 177.1360 | Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers in food-contact articles | Resin specification | Complies with food-contact use conditions |
| EU 10/2011 Annex I | Plastic materials in food contact | EN 1186-1:2002 | Overall migration <10 mg/dm² |
| ISO 14663-2:1999 | EVOH moulding and extrusion materials | Specimen preparation | Grade-specific property retention |
| REACH 1907/2006 Annex XVII | Restrictions on chemical substances in articles | Supplier declaration | Substances below restriction limits |
Thermoformed polypropylene multilayer sheet for retortable trays and single-serve fruit cups uses a coextruded PP/tie/EVOH/tie/PP architecture with total sheet thickness from 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, tie layers at 2–3%, and EW-3801S at 3–6% of total thickness. Under retort at 121 °C for 30 min, water vapor penetrates the PP skins and plasticizes the EVOH layer, causing the oxygen transmission rate measured after retort per ASTM D3985 to recover slowly; therefore processors either increase the EW-3801S layer to 15–25 µm, incorporate a desiccant tie resin, or reduce the shelf-life claim. Sheet coextrusion is run with a barrier layer melt temperature of 205–225 °C and a polishing roll stack between 30 °C and 80 °C to control sheet sag and EVOH gauge uniformity. Thermoforming requires sheet surface temperatures of 155–175 °C at the cavity; below 155 °C corner-radius cracking increases during plug-assisted forming, while above 190 °C the outer PP skins can oxidize. Compliance for hot-filled and retorted food packaging includes 21 CFR 177.1360 for the EVOH resin, EU 10/2011 for the finished laminate, and EU 2023/2006 for good manufacturing practice. Terminal products include retort rice bowls, pet food trays, and high-acid fruit cups with hot-fill temperatures up to 95 °C.
Coextrusion blow-molded fuel tanks for passenger cars and small off-road equipment use a six-layer HDPE/tie/EVOH/tie/regrind/HDPE architecture with total wall thickness from 3 mm to 8 mm. The EW-3801S layer is set at 2–4% of wall thickness, equivalent to 0.06–0.30 mm, and the tie layers are anhydride-modified HDPE at 0.05–0.12 mm per side. The regrind layer is limited to 35–40% of total wall thickness to prevent accumulation of partially degraded EVOH gel in the parison. Hydrocarbon permeation is evaluated per SAE J1681 or CARB TP-901 for small off-road engine tanks, with a typical target below 2.0 g/m²·day for the composite wall; the EVOH layer reduces hydrocarbon transmission by 95–99% compared with monolayer HDPE at 40 °C. Accumulator-head blow molders with 3D parison programming are used, and the EW-3801S melt temperature is kept at 205–225 °C to avoid degradation at the die lips. Pinch-off seams are a critical failure zone because the EVOH layer can fold into the weld line and reduce burst resistance; fuel tank pressure and impact tests follow ECE R34 or the relevant OEM specification. Compliance with evaporative emission regulations includes EPA 40 CFR Part 86 and CARB evaporative emission limits. Terminal products include automotive fuel tanks, marine fuel tanks, and small engine fuel canisters.
Laminated tubes for toothpaste, retinoid creams, and pharmaceutical ointment packaging use an outer coextruded web of PE/tie/EVOH/tie/PE, followed by extrusion lamination to aluminum or internal PE layers, with total tube sidewall thickness from 220 µm to 350 µm. EW-3801S is placed at 15–25 µm in the barrier web, and the tie layers are 2–5 µm per side; the EVOH content by weight is typically 4–8% of the sidewall. Oxygen transmission through the finished sidewall is measured per ASTM D3985 at 23 °C and 0% RH, and the structure is accepted only when the value remains below 1.5 cm³/m²·day·atm before flexing and below 3.0 cm³/m²·day·atm after 500 flex cycles per ASTM F392. In tube-body seaming, process temperatures at the overlap seam are controlled between 120 °C and 150 °C to avoid localized EVOH thinning; shoulder delamination at the injection-molded shoulder is a known failure mode when moisture content at the sealing surface exceeds 0.08% by weight or when the EW-3801S layer is thinner than 12 µm. Compliance for cosmetic applications follows EU 1223/2009 for the finished article, while pharmaceutical primary packaging requires USP 〈661.1〉 plastic material suitability and ICH M7 or ICH Q3D where extractables and elemental impurities are relevant. Terminal products include barrier toothpaste tubes, anti-acne cream tubes, and single-dose ophthalmic ointment tubes.
In coextrusion blow molding of six-layer containers for xylene, toluene, and agrochemical formulations, the structure is HDPE skin/tie/EVOH/tie/regrind/HDPE inner, with total wall thickness from 0.8 mm to 2.5 mm. The EW-3801S layer occupies 3–5% of the wall thickness, and the tie layers are maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene at 0.04–0.08 mm per side. Hydrocarbon permeation is measured by gravimetric cup methods aligned with ASTM D3985 for oxygen and ASTM F1249 for water vapor; the EVOH layer reduces toluene permeation by one to two orders of magnitude compared with monolayer HDPE. Continuous exposure to high-polarity alcohols above 20% by volume can plasticize the EW-3801S layer and is not recommended without a thicker inner HDPE layer. Blow molding equipment with an accumulator head and 3D parison programming is used; melt temperature at the die is 210–225 °C, and parison swell must be compensated because the EVOH layer is more thermostable than the HDPE skins and can produce layer nonuniformity at pinch-off seams. UN dangerous goods packaging certification under UN 6.1.5 and ADR/IMDG codes applies to the completed jerry can, while chemical compatibility is verified by retention of hydraulic burst strength per ASTM D2463 after 21 days at 40 °C. Terminal products include 5 L to 25 L jerry cans, barrier liners for intermediate bulk containers, and agricultural chemical dosing bottles.
When package validations require ethylene oxide sterilization but not gamma irradiation, medical device sterile barrier pouches for catheters, wound dressings, and implant instruments are constructed as PE/tie/EVOH/tie/PE or nylon/PE/tie/EVOH/tie/PE laminates with a peelable heat-seal layer. EW-3801S is inserted at 5–10 µm in the non-peelable web and is never placed as the sealant layer because it does not provide peelable seal initiation below 110 °C. Oxygen transmission rate after ethylene oxide sterilization per ASTM D3985 is specified below 2.0 cm³/m²·day·atm at 23 °C and 0% RH, while the water vapor transmission rate per ASTM F1249 remains above 5 g/m²·day·atm at 38 °C and 90% RH because the EVOH layer contributes little to moisture barrier. Ethylene oxide sterilization is performed at 50–60 °C with a relative humidity of 50–70% for 3–6 h; after aeration, residual ethylene oxide is measured per ISO 10993-7:2008 and must fall below the device-specific limit. Gamma sterilization above 25 kGy is generally avoided because cumulative radiation dose may yellow the ethylene-vinyl alcohol layer and reduce tensile elongation at break measured per ASTM D638. Packaging process validation follows ISO 11607-1:2019 and ISO 11607-2:2019, including seal strength testing per ASTM F88/F88M and package integrity by ASTM F2096 bubble leak. Terminal products include preformed pouches, header bags, and flow-wrap webs for terminally sterilized single-use devices.
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EVOH EW-3801S is a semi-crystalline ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer barrier resin specified for coextruded multilayer packaging in which low oxygen transmission must be retained across dry and short-term humidified distribution conditions. The grade is identified in supplier technical documentation as a controlled-composition material with the ethylene fraction centred at 38 mol%; exact melt flow rate, density, ash content, and volatile content are lot-specific and are documented on the certificate of analysis rather than inferred from the alphanumeric designation. The resin is supplied as cylindrical pellets for cast film, blown film, extrusion coating, and sheet lines. In three-, five-, and seven-layer structures, EVOH EW-3801S functions as the oxygen and aroma barrier core encapsulated between tie resins and polyolefin skins. Typical converted structures include retort pouches, thermoformed trays, stand-up pouches, bag-in-box liners, and barrier lids. Without hydrophobic encapsulation, the oxygen barrier of EVOH EW-3801S falls sharply once the layer equilibrates above about 65% RH; monolayer exposure to high-moisture foods is outside the intended application envelope.
Food-contact suitability is controlled under U.S. FDA 21 CFR 177.1360 for ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers and under Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 as amended, provided the converted article meets overall migration limits determined by EN 1186 series test methods. The resin is not formulated with phthalate plasticizers, chlorinated paraffins, or ortho-phthalate-based additives. RoHS compliance is assessed against Directive 2011/65/EU Annex II restrictions; however, the final packaging structure must be evaluated as a whole because tie layers, printing inks, and adhesives may contribute restricted substances.
The oxygen-transport behaviour of EW-3801S is governed by the balance between ethylene sequences and vinyl alcohol sequences. Increasing ethylene fraction to 38 mol% lowers the density of intra-chain hydrogen bonding and expands the amorphous free-volume fraction, which increases oxygen permeability relative to 27 mol% and 32 mol% grades but improves extrusion stability, melt strength, and flex-crack resistance. At 23 °C and 0% RH, film made from a 38 mol% EVOH class is generally reported to transmit oxygen in the range of 0.4–0.8 cm³·20 µm/(m²·day·atm) as measured by ASTM D3985 or ISO 15106-2; grade-specific values for EW-3801S should be taken from the supplier’s data sheet because orientation ratio, quench rate, and thermal history shift the measured value. Water vapour transmission testing under ASTM F1249 is less relevant to EVOH than to tie layers and skins, but the moisture uptake kinetics of the EVOH core control barrier retention and must be considered in laminate design.
Humidity dependence is more operationally significant than dry-state oxygen transmission. In coextruded film, water molecules absorbed by the polyolefin skins reach the EVOH core and plasticize the amorphous phase; the oxygen transmission rate of a 38 mol% grade can increase by 10–50 times between 0% RH and 90% RH depending on layer thickness, tie-layer thickness, crystallinity, and storage temperature. For EW-3801S, manufacturer technical literature indicates that moisture sensitivity is intermediate between 32 mol% and 44 mol% grades. This characteristic makes the resin suitable for aseptic and retort structures only when the EVOH layer is positioned at or near the neutral plane, away from the package interior, and when the inner polyolefin layer is thick enough to delay moisture ingress during thermal processing.
Unlike PVdC, EVOH EW-3801S does not exhibit the same tolerance to sustained high humidity; however, it avoids chlorinated vinylidene residues and can be processed without solvent-based coating lines. In seven-layer structures, EVOH thickness is typically specified between 5 µm and 15 µm. Below 3 µm, thermal and moisture perturbations during heat sealing can create barrier discontinuities at package corners. Above 20 µm, the incremental barrier gain is often limited while the risk of layer waviness and edge-thickness variation increases.
EVOH EW-3801S is hygroscopic and must be dried to a residual moisture content below 0.01% (100 ppm) before melt processing. Desiccant dryers with a dew point of -40 °C or lower and inlet air temperature of 80–90 °C are used; drying time of 4–6 h is typical for pellets stored in humid ambient air. Moisture not removed before extrusion reduces melt viscosity, produces bubbles and silver streaks in the barrier layer, and can raise film haze above 5% in clear structures. Pneumatic conveying lines with stainless steel or nickel-plated elbows minimize angel hair and fines generation because fines degrade into yellow or brown specks in the finished film.
On production cast-film lines with 30:1 L/D single-screw extruders and barrier screws of 2.8:1–3.5:1 compression ratio, melt temperature for a 38 mol% grade is commonly maintained between 210 °C and 230 °C. Barrel settings above 250 °C accelerate thermal degradation, producing crosslinked gel particles that accumulate at the die lip and create visible streak defects. Processors report that purging with low-density polyethylene or a dedicated EVOH purge compound at shutdown limits retained carbonized material in feedblocks and restrictor bars. In coextruded feedblock systems, die temperature uniformity within ±2 °C across the width is required to prevent layer thinning at the edges and subsequent barrier pinholing.
The melt viscosity of EVOH is strongly temperature dependent. At 210 °C and shear rates between 50 s⁻¹ and 200 s⁻¹, published data for 38 mol% EVOH place apparent viscosity in the 700–1200 Pa·s range, which is higher than many coextrusion tie resins and requires adequate extruder torque capacity. The grade is therefore processed with reverse-temperature profiles in some cast-film lines to control shear heating and prevent localized gel formation in high-shear zones.
In flexible packaging structures where 44 mol% grades are selected for flex-crack resistance and broader processing windows, direct substitution with EW-3801S requires re-validation of gelbo flex resistance and seal-through-barrier performance. Under ASTM F392 flex testing, films containing a 38 mol% EVOH core generally develop pinholes after fewer flex cycles than equivalent structures with 44 mol% EVOH; published data for this specific EW-3801S configuration is limited, and package-forming trials on vertical form-fill-seal equipment with shoulder radii below 50 mm are required to confirm fitness. Horizontal form-fill-seal lines with gradual forming geometry produce fewer flex-induced defects, but the barrier layer must still be isolated from sharp creases at gusset points.
The compensating benefit is lower oxygen transmission in the dry state. In a PP/tie/EVOH/tie/PP cast film of 80 µm total thickness with a 10 µm EVOH core, the 38 mol% grade typically provides a measurable improvement in dry-state oxygen transmission over 44 mol% EVOH at equivalent layer thickness; however, barrier retention at 85% RH will be lower if the inner polyolefin layer is thinner than 30 µm. Tie-layer selection also changes: maleated polypropylene tie resins with low melt flow rates maintain interfacial adhesion above 6 N/15 mm in peel testing according to ASTM F904, but adhesion falls if the tie layer is starved below 4 µm at high line speeds. Symmetric tie-layer placement and consistent die land temperatures reduce asymmetric flow instabilities at the EVOH/tie interface.
After retorting at 121 °C for 30 min, a PP/tie/EVOH/tie/PP pouch containing a 38 mol% EVOH core shows a transient oxygen-transmission increase that recovers partially during dry storage. The extent of recovery is governed by moisture desorption from the EVOH layer and by the crystallinity developed during the retort cycle. For applications with an ambient shelf-life target of 12 months at 25 °C, oxygen ingress after retort can be modelled using the time-averaged oxygen transmission rate rather than the pre-retort value; barrier-layer thickness is therefore increased by 20–40% relative to non-retort structures. Hot-fill operations at 85–95 °C impose lower thermal load than retort but still require hydrophobic skins and fast chill rolls to limit moisture migration into the core.
In coextruded sheet for thermoformed trays, EVOH EW-3801S must not be placed at the outer surface because the exposed EVOH layer absorbs water during steam-assisted thermoforming and can develop surface micro-voids. Plug-assist forming with plug temperatures above 120 °C may cause local thinning of the EVOH core at corners; processors compensate by increasing initial sheet EVOH thickness to 12–15 µm and by maintaining draw ratios below 3.5:1. Failure to control plug temperature and dwell time in production trials has been observed to increase oxygen transmission at tray corners beyond specification, even when flat-sheet barrier values remain acceptable.
| Ethylene fraction class | Typical dry oxygen transmission range at 23 °C, 0% RH, 20 µm film | Relative moisture sensitivity | Typical processing window |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 mol% | 0.2–0.4 cm³/(m²·day·atm) | High | Narrow; melt temperature partly limited by viscosity rise |
| 32 mol% | 0.3–0.6 cm³/(m²·day·atm) | High | Moderate; often specified for rigid barrier containers |
| 38 mol% — EW-3801S class | 0.4–0.8 cm³/(m²·day·atm) | Moderate | Balanced; 210–230 °C melt temperature |
| 44 mol% | 1.0–1.8 cm³/(m²·day·atm) | Reduced | Broader; better flex-crack resistance |
Values are class-level ranges from barrier-resin technical literature and are not certificate-of-analysis values for specific lots. Direct substitution must be confirmed by ASTM D3985, ASTM F1249, and ASTM F392 on the finished laminate. Published data for EVOH EW-3801S in every converted structure is limited; therefore, application-specific validation is required before commercial approval.
| Regulatory framework | Relevant provision or test method | Compliance condition |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. FDA | 21 CFR 177.1360 | Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers for food-contact articles; conditions of use A through H as specified in 21 CFR 176.170(c) |
| European Union | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 as amended | Overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm² or 60 mg/kg determined by EN 1186 series test methods |
| REACH | Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 | No substances of very high concern above 0.1% w/w per manufacturer declaration |
| RoHS | Directive 2011/65/EU Annex II | No lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, or PBDE above threshold concentrations |
Operational boundaries include pre-drying whenever ambient relative humidity exceeds 60% RH, limiting melt temperature to 250 °C maximum, and maintaining the EVOH layer between hydrophobic skins. Amine-containing processing aids should not be melt-blended with EVOH EW-3801S because residual basic species can promote discolouration and gel formation in the barrier layer. Contact surfaces in extruders and dies should be stainless steel or chromium-plated; copper-based components are avoided because copper ions accelerate thermo-oxidative degradation and may discolour the melt. Opened bags must be re-dried before processing when ambient relative humidity exceeds 60% RH; material stored beyond the manufacturer’s recommended shelf life should be dried and processed only after confirmatory melt-flow and moisture analysis.
