| HS Code | 839806 |
| Density | 1.15 g/cm³ |
| Melt Flow Rate | 1.8 g/10 min (190°C, 2.16 kg) |
| Ethylene Content | 38 mol% |
| Melting Point | 175 °C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 58 °C |
| Oxygen Transmission Rate | 0.5 cm³·mm/(m²·day·atm) at 23°C, 65% RH |
| Water Vapor Transmission Rate | 0.2 g·mm/(m²·day) at 40°C, 90% RH |
| Tensile Strength At Yield | 75 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 150% |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.5 GPa |
As an accredited EVOH EV-3801 V/F factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | EVOH EV-3801 V/F is packaged in 25 kg net polyethylene-lined paper bags, palletized and shrink-wrapped for safe transport. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL: EVOH EV-3801 V/F packed in 25kg bags on pallets, securely stowed, dry and protected from moisture. |
| Shipping | EVOH EV-3801 V/F is shipped as solid resin granules in sealed, moisture-proof bags, boxes, or FIBCs. It is non-hazardous under normal transport conditions. Protect from humidity, direct sunlight, and high heat during transit. Handle gently to avoid bag damage. Standard dry-cargo transport is suitable worldwide. |
| Storage | Store EVOH EV-3801 V/F in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and ignition. Keep in its original sealed packaging to prevent moisture absorption and contamination. Maintain stable temperatures, avoiding excessive humidity. Ensure good ventilation and follow standard resin handling procedures. |
| Shelf Life | Store in original sealed packaging, cool dry place. Shelf life is 2 years from manufacture date. |
In five-layer cast or blown coex structures, EVOH EV-3801 V/F is positioned as the core oxygen barrier between two maleic anhydride-grafted polyolefin tie layers and encapsulated by low-density polyethylene or linear low-density polyethylene skins. The standard barrier layer allocation is 5–15 µm EVOH in a total film of 60–150 µm. Tie layers are maintained at 3–5 µm per side. Continuous EVOH layers below 3 µm produce gauge bands, local pinholing, and oxygen leak paths. Layer thickness above 15 µm increases flex-crack propagation without proportional oxygen transmission rate improvement. The external polyethylene skins are selected to limit moisture ingress into the EVOH core because the oxygen transmission rate of EVOH rises sharply when the local relative humidity at the barrier layer exceeds 60% RH. Dry-condition oxygen transmission rate is measured according to ASTM D3985 at 23°C and 0% RH; industrial laminates with a 10 µm EVOH layer commonly fall below 0.5 cm³/(m²·day·atm). Pellets are predried in a desiccant dryer at 80°C for 4–6 h to a target moisture content of ≤0.3%. The EVOH extruder uses a barrier screw with L/D 24:1 to 30:1 and a water-cooled feed throat. Melt temperature is held at 210–230°C, while die temperature is maintained at 210–220°C. Residence time must not exceed 20 min because carbonyl formation and gel particle generation accelerate above 240°C. Die lip deposit from oxidized EVOH is controlled by periodic purging with low-melt-index LDPE rather than by raising barrel temperature. Food-contact compliance is assessed under FDA 21 CFR 177.1360 and EU Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, with overall migration testing conducted according to EN 1186-1. End products include vacuum-packaged processed meats, cheese blocks, coffee bricks, and stand-up pouches for dry or semi-dry foods.
Retortable pouch structures place EVOH EV-3801 V/F between oriented or cast polypropylene outer layers in a PP/tie/EVOH/tie/PP sequence. The EVOH layer is typically 8–12 µm in a total laminate of 100–140 µm. Polypropylene skins are preferred over polyethylene because they reduce steam-side moisture ingress during thermal processing and survive retort temperatures without excessive creep. The tie resins are maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene grades with softening behavior matched to retort exposure to avoid interlayer slippage. Thermal processing is performed in a water-cascade or steam-air overpressure retort at 121°C for 30 min or equivalent F₀ values. The principal process conflict is moisture plasticization of the EVOH core. Oxygen transmission rate measured after retort according to ASTM F1927 at 23°C and 50% RH can be more than 10 times the dry-condition value, depending on polypropylene skin thickness and retort duration. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; production validation is therefore performed on line using destructive package barrier testing. The polypropylene skins are maintained at a combined thickness of ≥200 µm to slow moisture migration to the EVOH interface. Delamination occurs when the tie layer is under-dosed or when retort time exceeds the thermal stability limit of the adhesive. Post-retort flexure testing according to ASTM F392 is used to detect flex cracks in the crystallized EVOH layer. Cracks initiate at crease lines because oriented EVOH exhibits low elongation at break after thermal history. Pack designs therefore avoid sharp folds across the seal area and around the base gusset. The retort format supports ready meals, pet food trays, baby food pouches, and high-value liquid condiments requiring oxygen protection without metal foil.
Six-layer coextrusion blow molding for automotive fuel tanks uses EVOH EV-3801 V/F as the hydrocarbon barrier core in a structure ordered as inner HDPE/regrind/tie/EVOH/tie/outer HDPE. The tank wall thickness is 5–8 mm, and the EVOH layer is maintained at 2–4% of total wall thickness, typically 100–250 µm. Tie layers of maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene are held at 2–5% of wall thickness. Layer distribution is controlled by parison programming and accumulator head tooling because the barrier core must survive pinch-off weld regions where the parison is compressed. Hydrocarbon permeation is validated by cup methods derived from ASTM D8142 and by full-tank SHED testing under CARB LEV III and EPA evaporative emission procedures. Processing temperatures are 210–230°C for EVOH and 190–220°C for HDPE. The melt streams are combined in a feedback block before the accumulator head. EVOH residence time in the accumulator must remain below 20 min. Longer residence creates gel particles that appear as barrier breaks in the pinch-off line and on the tank wall. The pinch-off weld is inspected by cross-sectional microscopy and leak testing because it is the dominant failure location for hydrocarbon permeation. Fuel tank end products cover gasoline, diesel, and ethanol-blended fuel tanks for passenger cars, SUVs, and light commercial vehicles. The EVOH layer is not placed in direct contact with fuel. The HDPE and tie layers provide mechanical strength and solvent resistance while the EVOH core contributes the permeation barrier. Regrind is isolated between inner HDPE and the adjacent tie layer to avoid contaminating the EVOH layer with degraded HDPE or adhesive residue.
Rigid sheet for modified-atmosphere packaging is produced by coextruding EVOH EV-3801 V/F between a high-impact polystyrene or polypropylene structural layer and a peelable polyethylene sealing layer. The sheet thickness is 300–600 µm, with the EVOH layer at 5–10 µm. The EVOH extruder is run with a barrel temperature profile from 180°C in the rear zone to 230°C in the metering zone. Die temperature is held at 210–220°C. The nominal 38 mol% ethylene content of EV-3801 V/F provides a wider thermoforming window than lower-ethylene grades, but the corner-thinning limit remains critical. Thermoforming creates a non-uniform EVOH layer. Corner thinning below 3 µm raises the local oxygen transmission rate and cannot be detected by average package oxygen transmission measurement alone. Sheet producers and thermoformers measure plug-assist wall distribution by slicing formed trays at the corner, bottom, flange, and sidewall. Optical microscopy is used to confirm EVOH continuity in these sections. A minimum corner EVOH thickness of 3 µm is used as an in-process control limit. Draw ratios above 1.5:1 require either a thicker initial EVOH layer or a lower plug temperature to reduce differential thinning. The structural layer must resist corner stress whitening and must not shrink away from the EVOH core during forming. Modified-atmosphere trays for fresh meat, poultry, seafood, and prepared salads are tested for oxygen transmission rate by ASTM D3985 at 23°C and 50% RH. Package oxygen ingress is measured by ASTM F1307 on finished sealed trays. Food-contact compliance follows FDA 21 CFR 177.1360 and (EU) No 10/2011 for the European market. The sealing layer is selected to provide peelable seal strength while protecting the EVOH from direct contact with food moisture. End products include case-ready meat trays, lidded salad bowls, and microwaveable pasta trays with high oxygen barrier and controlled headspace gas.
Aluminum-free laminated tubes use EVOH EV-3801 V/F as the barrier core in a PE/tie/EVOH/tie/PE laminate with total thickness 250–350 µm. The EVOH layer is kept at 15–30 µm to withstand repeated squeezing and flexing. The laminate is produced by cast coextrusion or extrusion coating onto a primary polyethylene web. The EVOH layer is predried to ≤0.3% moisture before extrusion. Inadequate drying forms microvoids in the core that become visible as pinholes after tube forming. Tube side seams are sealed by hot air or ultrasonic welding of the polyethylene skins. The EVOH core does not participate in the weld. Barrier performance is verified by ASTM D3985 at 23°C and 0% RH. Flex durability is tested by ASTM F392 after 1000 Gelbo cycles. Tubes for pharmaceutical ointments are tested according to USP <661.1> for physicochemical suitability. Cosmetic tubes comply with EU 1223/2009 and may require specific migration testing under (EU) No 10/2011. The EVOH layer must be fully encapsulated because direct contact with surfactant-rich cosmetic formulations can plasticize the barrier and reduce oxygen protection. End products include toothpaste tubes, barrier cosmetic tubes, pharmaceutical ointment tubes, and food paste tubes for products such as tomato paste and condensed sauces.
Multilayer pipes for hydronic heating and cooling use EVOH EV-3801 V/F as the oxygen diffusion barrier in a PE-RT/tie/EVOH/tie/PE-RT or PEX/tie/EVOH/tie/PEX structure. The EVOH layer is 50–100 µm in pipe walls of 1.8–2.5 mm. Oxygen ingress through the pipe wall is limited to ≤0.1 g/m³·day at 40°C under DIN 4726. This barrier protects steel components, pumps, and boilers from oxygen-driven corrosion. Pipe coextrusion is performed on a five-layer die with melt temperature 210–230°C. The die head is designed to avoid dead spots because EVOH can stagnate and crosslink at high temperature. Interfacial adhesion between EVOH and tie resin is measured by peel testing. Pipe burst performance is evaluated according to ISO 15875 for PEX systems. The outer PE-RT or PEX layer delays moisture contact with the EVOH core. Direct long-term immersion of EVOH in hot water would increase oxygen permeation and is avoided through wall design. End products include underfloor heating pipe, radiator connection pipe, and oxygen-barrier plumbing pipe for closed-loop systems.
Multilayer blow-molded bottles for oxygen-sensitive liquid foods use EVOH EV-3801 V/F in a PP/tie/EVOH/tie/PP or PE/tie/EVOH/tie/PE structure. The EVOH layer is 8–15 µm in a bottle wall of 0.8–1.5 mm. The coextrusion blow molding machine uses a six-cavity die set and parison programming to compensate for wall thinning at the shoulder and base. The EVOH layer must extend through the pinch-off region without being squeezed out. Post-molding bottle burst testing and sectional microscopy verify barrier continuity. Melt temperature is 200–220°C. The EVOH extruder is purged with LDPE after each run to remove oxidized resin from the screw and die. Bottle oxygen transmission rate is tested by ASTM F1307 at 23°C and 50% RH. Food-contact compliance rests on FDA 21 CFR 177.1360 and (EU) No 10/2011. The EVOH layer is not used in direct contact with high-moisture liquid foods because sustained moisture exposure reduces barrier performance. Polypropylene or polyethylene inner layers provide a moisture shield and sealability. End products include ketchup bottles, soy sauce bottles, edible oil bottles, and aseptic drink containers requiring oxygen protection without glass or metal.
| Application | Jurisdiction | Standard or Regulation | Test Method or Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food packaging films | US FDA | 21 CFR 177.1360 | Extraction testing under FDA conditions |
| Food packaging films | European Union | (EU) No 10/2011 | Overall migration per EN 1186-1 |
| Pharmaceutical tubes | USP | USP <661.1> | Physicochemical suitability testing |
| Oxygen barrier pipe | Germany | DIN 4726 | Oxygen permeation ≤0.1 g/m³·day at 40°C |
| Automotive fuel tanks | US EPA / CARB | CARB LEV III | Full-tank SHED evaporative emission testing |
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EVOH EV-3801 V/F is a hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer supplied as a pelletized barrier resin for coextruded packaging structures. The grade designation places the material in the high-ethylene segment of the EVOH family, with a nominal ethylene comonomer content of 38 mol%. The product is intended for vacuum skin packaging, modified-atmosphere packaging, retortable pouches, thermoformed trays, and bag-in-box liners where oxygen barrier, formability, and humidity tolerance must be balanced. Unlike EVOH grades with 27 mol% to 32 mol% ethylene, EV-3801 V/F exhibits a higher oxygen transmission rate under dry conditions but retains more barrier under moist or retort conditions and generates fewer flex-crack pinholes after pack distribution.
Manufacturer target values for EVOH EV-3801 V/F are typically reported as a melt flow rate of 3.2 g/10 min at 190°C under 2.16 kg load using ISO 1133-1:2022, a density of 1.17 g/cm³ at 23°C according to ISO 1183-1:2019, and a melting temperature of 172°C by differential scanning calorimetry under ISO 11357-3:2018. The oxygen transmission rate of a 20 μm cast film at 20°C and 65% relative humidity is approximately 0.7 cm³/(m²·day·atm) when measured according to ASTM F1927. These values are representative of the high-ethylene EVOH copolymer class and are not a substitute for the lot-specific certificate of analysis.
The primary structural difference is random incorporation of ethylene units into the vinyl alcohol backbone. At 27 mol% ethylene, the copolymer has dense hydroxyl-group spacing, high crystallinity, and strong dry-condition oxygen barrier, but pronounced moisture sensitivity because water molecules hydrogen-bond to the hydroxyl network and increase free volume. At 44 mol% ethylene, oxygen barrier decreases, but processability, flex-crack resistance, and compatibility with polyolefin layers improve. EV-3801 V/F at 38 mol% ethylene occupies the intermediate-to-high ethylene range; it is specified when the packaging skeleton must survive thermoforming, steam retort, or long distribution without pinhole failure.
| Property | Test method | EV-3801 V/F | 32 mol% EVOH | 44 mol% EVOH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal ethylene content | Manufacturer designation | 38 mol% | 32 mol% | 44 mol% |
| Melt flow rate at 190°C/2.16 kg | ISO 1133-1:2022 | 3.2 g/10 min | 1.7 g/10 min | 5.2 g/10 min |
| Density at 23°C | ISO 1183-1:2019 | 1.17 g/cm³ | 1.19 g/cm³ | 1.14 g/cm³ |
| Melting temperature | ISO 11357-3:2018 | 172°C | 183°C | 164°C |
| Oxygen transmission rate, 20 μm film, 20°C, 65% RH | ASTM F1927 | 0.7 cm³/(m²·day·atm) | 0.4 cm³/(m²·day·atm) | 1.1 cm³/(m²·day·atm) |
| Oxygen transmission rate, 20 μm film, 20°C, 90% RH | ASTM F1927 | 2.2 cm³/(m²·day·atm) | 1.8 cm³/(m²·day·atm) | 2.8 cm³/(m²·day·atm) |
Values in the table are representative target data for the high-ethylene EVOH copolymer class and adjacent ethylene grades. They should be confirmed against the supplier technical data sheet for the specific production lot because comonomer sequence distribution, thermal history, and film orientation alter the measured oxygen transmission rate.
The selection difference is most visible in high-humidity oxygen transmission. Dry-condition OTR for EV-3801 V/F is higher than for a 29 mol% EVOH; however, after conditioning at 90% RH or after retort at 121°C for 30 min, the 38 mol% grade often yields fewer through-cracks and delamination sites in the barrier core. Published data for EV-3801 V/F-specific retort performance is limited; converter evaluations should include dye-penetration testing and oxygen-transmission measurement after pack formation.
Adhesive selection for EV-3801 V/F in five- and seven-layer structures commonly uses maleic anhydride–grafted polyolefin tie resins. With higher ethylene content than a 29 mol% EVOH, the resin may be run adjacent to LLDPE-based tie layers without the acid or amine neutralization issues associated with some high-acid EVOH grades. Layer distribution for a seven-layer cast film is frequently set as a symmetrical 3/10/10/4/10/10/3 percentage of total thickness when using PP/EVOH/PE structures, but the actual distribution is determined by die geometry and the target oxygen transmission rate.
Pre-drying is mandatory at relative humidity above 60% because EVOH pellets absorb atmospheric moisture, and residual moisture converts to steam during plastication, producing pinholes and die-lip deposit. The material is typically dried in a desiccant dryer at 90°C to 110°C for 4 h to 6 h to reach a target moisture content below 0.3%. In high-humidity plants, an insulated hopper and closed conveying system prevent moisture regain before the extruder throat.
On seven-layer blown-film lines with 400 mm to 600 mm spiral mandrel dies and extruder L/D ratios of 30:1, melt temperature for EV-3801 V/F is maintained between 210°C and 230°C. Residence time above 235°C for more than 20 min is associated with gel-particle formation and increased backpressure drift. Coextrusion feedblock temperature is typically set 10°C to 15°C below the die temperature to reduce interfacial instability between EVOH and polyolefin layers.
Shutdown and purging with a polyolefin-based purge compound is recommended before die disassembly. Extended hold-time of molten EVOH in a stagnant adapter produces acetic-acid odor and dark specks. On lines with frequent product changes, rapid grade-change from a 32 mol% EVOH to EV-3801 V/F is usually accomplished with a 3× to 5× screw-volume purge using low-MFR LDPE; however, the barrier layer should be brought to melt temperature before resuming coextrusion to avoid gel contamination.
Thermogravimetric analysis of the high-ethylene EVOH class under nitrogen shows mass loss onset near 250°C. Processing should avoid environments where melt temperature exceeds 235°C for more than 20 min because thermal cleavage of the vinyl alcohol sequence releases water and acetic acid, catalyzing further degradation. Die-lip deposit is reduced by using polished chrome surfaces and by maintaining nitrogen blanketing in the feed throat.
Incompatibility is most often observed with polyamide layers that carry unreacted amine end groups. When EV-3801 V/F is coextruded with PA6 or PA66, interfacial pH can shift and produce haze or gels. A tie layer of maleic anhydride–grafted polyolefin is required between EVOH and polyamide; direct contact should be avoided. This restriction is more severe for lower-ethylene EVOH and persists for EV-3801 V/F because residual hydroxyl groups remain reactive toward basic additives.
Although 38 mol% ethylene lowers water-vapour-induced barrier loss relative to 27 mol% EVOH, the material remains highly dependent on relative humidity. Published data for the high-ethylene EVOH class indicate that the oxygen transmission rate of a 20 μm layer at 20°C may rise from 0.7 cm³/(m²·day·atm) at 65% RH to 2.2 cm³/(m²·day·atm) at 90% RH when measured according to ASTM F1927. Packaging structures therefore position the EVOH layer between polyolefin moisture barriers; outer polypropylene or polyethylene layer thickness is set by shelf-life modelling, not solely by mechanical performance.
Retortable pouch designs using EV-3801 V/F often place the EVOH layer between PP layers to avoid direct contact with steam. During retort, the partial pressure of water plasticises the EVOH, but the higher ethylene content slows the moisture front and reduces post-retort haze. Dye-penetration testing according to ASTM F3039 is used after retort to detect pinholes and delamination; a pass criterion of no dye spots in a 100-pack sample is applied in converter release protocols.
Application placement for EV-3801 V/F includes vacuum skin packaging for processed meat, retortable stand-up pouches for wet pet food, transparent high-barrier trays for fresh pasta, and bag-in-box liners for sauces. In each case, the grade is specified as the core layer; it is not used as the food-contact or outer layer. The higher ethylene content compared with 29 mol% EVOH permits deeper draw ratios in thermoformed trays without catastrophic pinhole formation, with draw ratios up to 1:1.5 depending on sheet gauge and plug-assist temperature.
EVOH EV-3801 V/F is positioned as a food-contact barrier resin. Compliance must be confirmed against migration limits established in the intended market. The following matrix summarizes the applicable frameworks.
| Framework | Scope | Standard or clause |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | Plastic food-contact materials | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I and Annex II, overall migration 10 mg/dm² |
| United States | Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers | FDA 21 CFR 177.136 or applicable food-contact notification |
| European Union | Chemical registration | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, SVHC absence |
| European Union | Packaging and packaging waste | Directive 94/62/EC, sum of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium below 100 mg/kg |
Industrial hygiene practice during processing requires local exhaust ventilation at die lips to remove trace volatiles. The resin should be stored below 40°C and kept sealed because moisture uptake alters melt viscosity and oxygen-barrier results. These operational boundaries define the practical envelope for EV-3801 V/F in barrier film and sheet production.
