| HS Code | 136265 |
| Chemical Name | Vinyl acetate |
| Cas Number | 108-05-4 |
| Molecular Weight | 86.09 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colorless liquid |
| Purity | ≥99.9 wt% |
| Inhibitor Content | 15-20 ppm hydroquinone |
| Boiling Point | 72.7 °C |
| Freezing Point | -93 °C |
| Flash Point | -8 °C (closed cup) |
| Specific Gravity | 0.934 at 20 °C |
As an accredited Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 15-20 factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Packaged in 200 kg steel drums, 1,000 kg IBC totes, or bulk tankers for safe handling and delivery. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL container loading of Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 15-20 in drums/IBCs, securely stowed for safe chemical transport. |
| Shipping | Vinyl acetate HQ 15-20 ships as a flammable liquid (UN 1301, Class 3, PG II) in dedicated tankers, railcars, or ISO tanks. Product must be inhibited (15–20 ppm), kept cool and dry, grounded, and segregated from oxidizers, peroxides, and ignition sources to prevent hazardous polymerization. |
| Storage | Store Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 15-20 in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, and open flames. Keep containers tightly closed and grounded. Protect from sunlight and incompatible materials such as oxidizers and acids. Maintain inhibitor levels and use nitrogen blanketing to prevent polymerization. Follow all safety data sheet guidelines. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 12 months from shipment when stored below 30°C, with stabilizer intact, and in sealed containers. |
Vinyl acetate monomer supplied as Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 15-20 carries hydroquinone inhibitor at 15–20 ppm. In batch and semi-batch polyvinyl acetate homopolymerization for D3 wood bonding, the inhibitor is not removed before charging; it is consumed during the initial free-radical scavenging phase that follows thermal decomposition of the persulfate initiator. A glass-lined jacketed reactor with a pitched-blade turbine at tip speed 3.0–4.5 m/s and jacket setpoint 78–82 °C is brought to reaction temperature with a delayed monomer feed over 4–5 h. The hydroquinone consumption interval should be verified by monitoring heat flow, because induction time is initiator-package-dependent. Persulfate initiator charge is adjusted in the range 0.2–0.5 wt% of monomer mass, and nitrogen sparging is maintained to prevent oxygen inhibition. Typical wood adhesive emulsions use partially hydrolysed polyvinyl alcohol with a degree of hydrolysis of 86–89 mol% and a 4% aqueous solution viscosity of 20–30 mPa·s as protective colloid. Polymer solids are held at 50–55 wt%; Brookfield RVT viscosity at 25 °C with spindle 4 at 20 rpm commonly falls between 4000 and 12000 mPa·s, while pH is adjusted to 4.5–5.5 with sodium acetate or sodium bicarbonate buffer. The homopolymer glass transition is near 28–30 °C, and the minimum film-forming temperature without plasticizer is approximately 18–20 °C. Residual monomer after a redox chase is controlled below 0.1 wt% by gas chromatography, and free acetic acid is held below 0.1% to limit acid odour. For D3 classification under DIN EN 204, tensile shear strength and wood failure are evaluated after defined water-exposure sequences; for D4 classification, additional hot-water or boiling-water conditioning is applied. Production limitation: acid-catalysed crosslinkers used to increase water resistance must be isolated from the neutral PVAc base because pH below 3.5 accelerates ester hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate and raises free acetic acid in the aged film. Batch-to-batch variance in wood failure is frequently linked to protective colloid distribution rather than monomer purity; undissolved PVOH aggregates above 200 ppm on a 40 µm filter increase grit formation and reduce adhesive transfer uniformity on low-grammage veneer substrates.
In textile warp sizing and paper surface sizing, vinyl acetate monomer is first polymerised into polyvinyl acetate and subsequently transesterified with anhydrous methanol in the presence of sodium methoxide. Polymer grade selection is controlled by degree of hydrolysis and degree of polymerisation. Partially hydrolysed grades with 86–89 mol% hydrolysis and degree of polymerisation 1700–2400, measured by DIN 53015 as 4% aqueous solution viscosity, are preferred for warp sizing because they form flexible films on polyester-cotton yarn and are removed by oxidative desizing before dyeing. Fully hydrolysed grades above 98 mol% hydrolysis are used in surface sizing of paper and board where water resistance and printability are required. The alcoholysis feed is a methanol solution of PVAc at 40–50 wt%; sodium methoxide dosing is expressed as alkali molar ratio relative to acetate units and is kept below 0.02 mol/mol for controlled saponification. Water content in the methanol feed must remain below 0.5% because water hydrolyses sodium methoxide to sodium hydroxide, which accelerates gelation and produces insoluble fractions. Hydroquinone residues from Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 15-20 can reduce final resin brightness and are controlled by pre-washing the monomer with dilute sodium hydroxide and by stripping residual inhibitor before polymerisation. Continuous belt saponification reactors use countercurrent methanol washing, and finished resin is dried in plate dryers at product temperatures below 60 °C to avoid thermal yellowing. Textile size solids are prepared at 8–12 wt% in jet cookers at 95–110 °C; slasher or single-end sizing add-on is typically 8–12% oven-dry weight. Paper size press starch-PVA blends use 2–5 wt% PVA solution and are applied on metering size presses at sheet moisture of 6–8% and machine speeds of 600–1200 m/min. Published data for this specific configuration is limited because alcoholysis conditions are proprietary; the acceptable residual acetate window must be established by nuclear magnetic resonance or saponification number per plant quality plan. Final PVA specification controls ash below 0.5%, pH of 5–7 in 4% aqueous solution, and residual methanol below 0.1% for odour-sensitive paper and textile applications.
Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer for photovoltaic encapsulant film is produced in high-pressure stirred autoclave or tubular reactors at operating pressures from 140 to 220 MPa and temperatures from 160 °C to 220 °C, with vinyl acetate content maintained at 28–33 wt%. Melt index measured by ISO 1133-1:2022 at 190 °C and 2.16 kg load typically falls between 15 and 30 g/10 min for lamination-grade materials, while melting point by differential scanning calorimetry is typically 60–70 °C. Hydroquinone inhibitor introduced with Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 15-20 is normally consumed by the initiator package or removed in monomer preparation; residual inhibitor above the specified 20 ppm upper limit can reduce initiator efficiency and alter molecular weight distribution. Oxygen ingress above 10 ppm in the monomer feed or initiator injection lines is controlled because oxygen generates peroxide heterogeneity and can destabilise reactor temperature control. Vinyl acetate content is verified by Fourier transform infrared or nuclear magnetic resonance with internal calibration; ISO 8985:1998 defines a method for determination of vinyl acetate content in EVA. Peroxide cure systems use organic peroxides, with accelerated cure at 145–155 °C. Gel content after lamination is measured by ASTM D2765-16 or ISO 10147 and is typically controlled above 70% to provide dimensional stability at module operating temperatures. Lamination equipment uses oil-heated or electrical platen vacuum lamination presses at absolute pressure below 10 kPa, with cycle times of 10–15 min and platen pressure 0.06–0.08 MPa. Compounding of encapsulant masterbatch is performed on a twin-screw extruder with L/D ratio 40:1, melt pump, screen changer, and underwater pelletizer. Processing limitation: increasing vinyl acetate content improves optical transmission and adhesion but lowers Vicat softening temperature; encapsulant formulations therefore require silane adhesion promoter and ultraviolet stabilizer packages to offset edge bleed and long-term yellowing. Rheometer cure kinetics at 150 °C should show a scorch time sufficient for handling and a maximum torque plateau above the gelation threshold; shifts in cure behaviour may indicate residual hydroquinone or antioxidant interactions.
Modification of vinyl acetate with 10–25 wt% ethylene in a loop reactor yields vinyl acetate-ethylene latex for redispersible polymer powders used in construction mortars and tile adhesives. The ethylene content depresses the copolymer glass transition into the range of −15 °C to +10 °C, eliminating the need for external plasticizer and improving low-temperature flexibility. Spray drying is performed on a co-current spray dryer with inlet air temperature 160–180 °C and outlet temperature 75–90 °C, using polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl pyrrolidone as anti-caking colloid. Redispersible polymer powder bulk density is typically 400–600 g/L, with moisture below 1.5% and pH of redispersed latex between 6 and 8. Powder dosage in a C2 tile adhesive is typically 1.5–4.0 wt% on dry cementitious binder; self-leveling underlayments may use 3–8 wt% polymer solids. Tensile adhesion and mechanical properties after water immersion and heat ageing are evaluated according to EN 12004-1:2017 and EN 1348. VAE-modified mortar improves adhesion because the dispersed polymer coalesces during cement hydration and forms a polymer network across capillary pores; this effect is dependent on minimum film-forming temperature, which must be below the application temperature. A production bottleneck is the balance between powder redispersibility and storage stability at temperatures above 35 °C; powder caking occurs when anti-caking agent coverage is insufficient. Hydroquinone from Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 15-20 has limited direct impact on final mortar performance because the monomer is fully polymerised during latex production; residual monomer is stripped to below 0.1 wt% before spray drying and is controlled by gas chromatography. Latex particle size is typically 0.3–2.0 µm by laser diffraction, and thickener selection influences mortar open time and adjustable consistency. Cement compatibility requires control of added defoamer and wetting agent levels; total liquid additives above 0.5 wt% of dry solids can reduce powder flow and increase blocking during warm-climate storage. Ash content above 10 wt% from excessive anti-caking agent reduces water resistance of the cured mortar, especially in freeze-thaw exposure.
Vinyl acetate is copolymerised with vinyl ester of versatic acid 10 and butyl acrylate to produce lattices for interior matte and eggshell paints, with glass transition from 10 °C to 25 °C and minimum film-forming temperature between 5 °C and 15 °C. VeoVa 10 incorporation at 20–40 wt% reduces the hydrolytic sensitivity of acetate units under alkaline conditions and improves scrub resistance. Paint formulations target volatile organic compound content below 50 g/L under EU Directive 2004/42/EC or below equivalent regional limits. Pigment dispersion is carried out with a high-speed disperser at Cowles blade tip speed 18–22 m/s; letdown is performed at 10–12 m/s to avoid shear-induced destabilisation. Hydroquinone carried into the latex from Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 15-20 is consumed by the thermal initiator during polymerisation; if a redox chase is required to reduce residual monomer, a paired oxidant-reductant system such as tert-butyl hydroperoxide and sodium metabisulfite is added at 65 °C with redox potential monitoring. Wet scrub resistance is measured by ISO 11998; hiding power is determined using ISO 6504-1 and gloss with ISO 2813. Matting and pigment volume concentration are typically set at 70–80% for interior matte products, with contrast ratio above 0.95 at 150 µm wet film. Crosslinking with diacetone acrylamide and adipic dihydrazide at 0.5–1.0 wt% improves early hardness and wet scrub resistance without adding formaldehyde. A formulation boundary exists at pH above 9: ammonia or strong amine neutralisers can hydrolyse residual vinyl acetate units and increase water sensitivity. Published data for this specific configuration is limited for exact scrub cycles; performance varies with pigment volume concentration, coalescing solvent type, and latex surfactant package. Surfactant selection uses alkyl phenol ethoxylate-free systems with controlled critical micelle concentration; excess free surfactant reduces scrub resistance and foaming stability in short recirculation paint lines. Preservative compatibility must also be verified with the redox chase because residual reducing agent can oxidatively degrade isothiazolinone-based biocides and shorten in-can preservation.
Compliance of polyvinyl acetate and vinyl acetate-ethylene dispersions under food-contact packaging regulations is determined by end-use migration testing and not by the polymerisation route alone. Coatings and adhesives based on Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 15-20 are evaluated against FDA 21 CFR 175.105 for pressure-sensitive and remoistenable adhesives, FDA 21 CFR 176.170 for paper and paperboard components contacting aqueous and fatty foods, and EU Regulation No 10/2011 for plastic materials and articles. The EU overall migration limit is 10 mg/dm² or 60 mg/kg for plastics, measured with food simulants assigned by the regulation. Migration test conditions use simulants such as 10% ethanol, 3% acetic acid, 20% ethanol, 50% ethanol, or vegetable oil according to contact time and temperature. Residual vinyl acetate monomer in dried films must be controlled; standard headspace gas chromatography by ISO 11337 or liquid extraction methods are used to verify residual monomer below the applicable specific migration limit. The use of hydroquinone as inhibitor is permitted in packaging applications provided the finished article is tested for polymerisation adjuvants and no transfer to food simulant at detectable levels occurs in the intended condition of use. Table 1 lists the primary compliance references applicable to vinyl acetate-derived packaging adhesives and coatings.
| Regulation / standard | Scope | Test condition |
|---|---|---|
| FDA 21 CFR 175.105 | Adhesives used in food packaging | Functional barrier or no detectable migration |
| FDA 21 CFR 176.170 | Paper and paperboard components for aqueous and fatty foods | End-test extraction with food simulant |
| EU Regulation No 10/2011 | Plastic materials and articles | Overall migration limit 10 mg/dm² |
| ISO 11337 | Residual monomers by static headspace GC | Polymer dispersion film after conditioning |
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Celanese Vinyl Acetate HQ 15-20 is a vinyl acetate monomer stream inhibited with hydroquinone at a nominal loading of 15–20 mg/kg. The product code denotes the inhibitor type and concentration band rather than a polymer grade. Vinyl acetate monomer is the primary building block for polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate-ethylene emulsions, and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer intermediates. The molecular formula is C4H6O2, CAS No. 108-05-4, and molar mass is 86.09 g/mol. The 15–20 mg/kg hydroquinone level distinguishes the product from low-inhibitor vinyl acetate monomer streams maintained at 3–7 mg/kg and from uninhibited monomer, which is normally consumed under immediate, low-temperature conditions.
Lot-specific certificates of analysis control the release parameters for this product. Representative commercial specification bands for hydroquinone-inhibited vinyl acetate monomer are presented in Table 1. Published data for the exact Celanese lot-specific limits remains limited; the values below reflect commonly applied commercial specification bands for this monomer class and should not replace the certificate of analysis for a specific shipment.
| Parameter | Typical value | Test method |
|---|---|---|
| Hydroquinone inhibitor | 15–20 mg/kg | HPLC-UV / internal |
| Purity as vinyl acetate | ≥99.9 wt% | GC-FID |
| Water | ≤0.05 wt% | ASTM D1364 / ISO 760 |
| Acidity as acetic acid | ≤0.005 wt% | ASTM D1613 |
| Color | ≤5 Pt-Co | ASTM D1209 |
| Distillation range | 71.8–73.0 °C | ASTM D1078 |
| Density at 20 °C | 0.932–0.936 g/cm³ | ASTM D4052 |
| Boiling point | 72.7 °C at 101.3 kPa | Physical property |
| Flash point | -8 °C closed cup | ASTM D56 |
The values in Table 1 are not lot-specific Celanese certificate values but represent the commercial class to which the product belongs. Acidity control below 0.005 wt% as acetic acid is relevant because vinyl acetate hydrolysis produces acetic acid and acetaldehyde during storage, and free acid can buffer emulsion polymerization formulations. Water control through ASTM D1364 or ISO 760 is necessary because water accelerates hydrolysis and may reduce inhibitor homogeneity. The distillation range by ASTM D1078 detects volatile oxygenates and heavy aldehydes that shift copolymerization behavior.
Mass-flow metering is preferred over volumetric metering because density changes with temperature. At 20 °C the density is approximately 0.934 g/cm³; a temperature increase to 30 °C lowers density and shifts volumetric pump calibration. The liquid viscosity is low at ambient temperature, approximately 0.43 mPa·s at 20 °C, which supports stable pump suction in diaphragm metering systems. However, the closed-cup flash point of -8 °C requires leak-tight seals, and pumps are specified with magnetic or double mechanical seals to reduce fugitive emissions.
Hydroquinone inhibition in vinyl acetate monomer is oxygen-supplemented. The inhibitor scavenges peroxy radicals, but if oxygen is excluded by nitrogen blanketing or if the tank remains closed for extended periods, hydroquinone can be depleted and the monomer may enter an autopolymerization regime. The 15–20 mg/kg loading is a steady-state band, not a permanent safeguard. Storage is maintained under atmospheric air rather than inert gas, and the vent system is designed with conservation vents and flame arresters to allow controlled tank breathing while preventing external flame propagation. Temperature is maintained below 30 °C; the closed-cup flash point is -8 °C by ASTM D56, and the vapor space can be within flammable limits over a wide ambient range. Explosive limits in air are 2.6–13.4 vol%, and vapor density is about 3.0 relative to air, so vapor can accumulate in low areas.
Inhibitor depletion is stoichiometric rather than catalytic. Light exposure, trace transition-metal contaminants, or frequent tank breathing accelerates peroxide generation and consumes hydroquinone. Bulk tanks with external recirculation loops should sample inhibitor from the return line after the loop has run, not from a stagnant bottom valve. If the inhibitor content falls below 3 mg/kg, the material should be re-inhibited or moved to temperature-controlled storage until processing. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; site-specific process safety management must follow the storage hazard assessment.
In continuous emulsion polymerization, vinyl acetate is metered into a jacketed stirred tank together with a redox or thermal initiator. The 15–20 mg/kg hydroquinone concentration can delay the onset of exotherm. Plants with highly active redox initiation often split the initiator feed or add a controlled oxidant precharge to maintain particle nucleation and prevent a broad particle-size distribution. Batch suspension reactors may exhibit a delayed time-to-peak exotherm and a shift in pressure-drop profile; the magnitude depends on initiator half-life, agitator shear, reactor cooling capacity, and the monomer feed profile. Published quantitative induction data for this exact Celanese grade is limited; recipe compensation requires plant trials.
For polyvinyl acetate homopolymers used in adhesives, the reactor is often a continuous stirred-tank reactor with a mean residence time of 2–4 h. The heat-removal system is sized for the polymerization exotherm, but the inhibitor delay can shift the measured temperature ramp. Operators should not use temperature rise alone as a conversion proxy without correcting for the induction period. In polyvinyl alcohol production, residual hydroquinone in the polyvinyl acetate feed may contribute to color formation during alkaline alcoholysis. The methanol recovery column can accumulate oxidized quinoid species; reflux ratio and blowdown are adjusted accordingly. The 15–20 mg/kg grade may be acceptable for polyvinyl alcohol lines that practice resin washing or carbon treatment; producers with strict color specifications may select the 3–7 mg/kg low-inhibitor grade.
The selection between the 15–20 mg/kg grade and the 3–7 mg/kg grade is based on residence time, logistics, and downstream additive tolerance. The higher inhibitor concentration extends the storage window but adds phenolic inhibitor to the monomer feed. In pressure-sensitive adhesive emulsions, the higher level can reduce initial polymerization rate and increase coagulum if initiator dosage is not adjusted. In polyvinyl alcohol lines, the grade may require more aggressive methanol refining or activated carbon treatment to control yellowness. A low-inhibitor vinyl acetate monomer stream reduces these effects but requires tighter storage temperature control and shorter inventory turnover. Compared with diphenylamine-inhibited vinyl acetate monomer, the hydroquinone grade does not introduce amine nitrogen into the downstream monomer, which can be relevant for catalyst systems sensitive to nitrogen impurities. Under alkaline conditions, hydroquinone may form colored quinoid species; therefore, the grade is not recommended for direct contact with strong bases before polymerization. Published comparative data for Celanese-specific materials is limited.
For ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer production, vinyl acetate is copolymerized with ethylene and then saponified. Residual hydroquinone from the monomer feed can affect the color of the final barrier resin. Film-grade ethylene-vinyl alcohol producers with low yellowness requirements may specify the low-inhibitor grade or implement additional washing of the intermediate copolymer. The 15–20 mg/kg grade is used when monomer logistics require a more robust inhibitor package and the downstream purification train can tolerate the additional phenolic load.
In free-radical polymerization, the induction time caused by an inhibitor is approximately equal to the inhibitor concentration divided by the rate of radical generation, multiplied by a stoichiometric factor. For vinyl acetate emulsion polymerization with persulfate initiation near 70 °C, the radical flux is sensitive to the decomposition rate coefficient of the initiator. A variation in hydroquinone from 15 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg can therefore shift the induction time even when the monomer remains within the specified band. Processes using continuous reactor control should use an online or at-line method for initiator feed trim rather than a fixed ratio. Published quantitative kinetic data for this exact Celanese grade is limited; the functional dependence is well established in polymer science.
The safety boundary is not the inhibitor concentration alone but the combined oxygen-inhibitor balance. Nitrogen blanketing can defeat hydroquinone inhibition even when the initial concentration is within specification because the inhibitor requires oxygen to quench propagating radical chains effectively. Storage vessels are configured with conservation vents and flame arresters. The venting system permits tank breathing to replace consumed oxygen while preventing external ignition. Area classification follows NFPA 70 and IEC 60079 for Class I, Division 1 or Zone 1 locations. Table 2 summarizes safety-related physical properties relevant to that classification envelope.
| Property | Value | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Flash point closed cup | -8 °C | ASTM D56 |
| Explosive limits in air | 2.6–13.4 vol% | Literature |
| Autoignition temperature | 402 °C | Literature |
| Vapor pressure at 20 °C | 9.3 kPa | Literature |
| Vapor density relative to air | 3.0 | Literature |
| Boiling point at 101.3 kPa | 72.7 °C | Literature |
| Density at 20 °C | 0.934 g/cm³ | Literature |
The heat of polymerization is approximately 87.9 kJ/mol. In a bulk or high-conversion polymerization, this exotherm can exceed the cooling capacity of a storage tank if the inhibitor is exhausted. The hydroquinone loading is designed to suppress spontaneous polymerization during normal storage, but it does not provide protection against external heat, open flame, or contamination with initiators. Storage facilities therefore apply strict hot-work permits and control the presence of organic peroxides and azo compounds in the same area.
Materials of construction influence inhibitor consumption and product color. Copper and copper alloys are generally avoided in vinyl acetate monomer service because trace metal contamination may accelerate peroxide decomposition and consume hydroquinone. Stainless steel 316L and aluminum are common for storage tanks and piping; gaskets and seals are selected from fluoropolymer or graphite composites. Carbon steel may be used only with a documented cleanliness protocol because rust can initiate polymer deposition. Day tanks in polymer plants are usually nitrogen-purged but not nitrogen-blanketed; the tank vent remains open to atmosphere through a desiccant breather to maintain oxygen access and exclude moisture.
Verification of the inhibitor concentration is performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection calibrated against hydroquinone standards. Redox titration may overestimate hydroquinone if oxidized quinone is present. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection is used for monomer purity and for the detection of acetaldehyde, methyl acetate, and crotonaldehyde. Karl Fischer coulometry is preferred for water levels below 0.05 wt%; volumetric Karl Fischer may lack precision at that range. Acidity is measured by ASTM D1613 and reported as acetic acid. Color by ASTM D1209 is sensitive to oxidation products; a Pt-Co color above 5 may indicate inhibitor degradation or trace metal contamination. Density by ASTM D4052 is used to verify consistency and to convert volumetric meter readings to mass flow.
Regulatory compliance for the monomer includes REACH registration under (EC) No 1907/2006. The hydroquinone inhibitor is identified in the safety data sheet and must be considered in workplace exposure assessments. For polymers intended for food-contact use, the finished resin or film must comply with the applicable regional authorization; vinyl acetate monomer itself is not a finished food-contact substance. The product is classified as a flammable liquid under GHS H225; storage, loading, and unloading operations must follow local fire and process safety regulations, including NFPA 30 and OSHA 1910.106 where applicable.
