| HS Code | 911454 |
| Vinyl Acetate Content | 16 wt% |
| Ethylene Content | 84 wt% |
| Melt Flow Rate 190 C 2 16 Kg | 2 g/10 min |
| Density | 0.936 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point Dsc | 98 °C |
| Vicat Softening Point | 64 °C |
| Brittleness Temperature | -70 °C |
| Tensile Strength At Break | 20 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 650 % |
| Hardness Shore A | 90 |
As an accredited EVATHENE UE4003 Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | EVATHENE UE4003 Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer is supplied as pellets in 25 kg multi-layer paper bags, with palletized shrink-wrapped packaging. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | EVATHENE UE4003 EVA copolymer loaded as 25 kg bags on shrink-wrapped pallets into a 20′ FCL, approximately 20 metric tons per container. |
| Shipping | EVATHENE UE4003 EVA copolymer ships as solid pellets in lined bags or bulk containers. It is non-hazardous under normal transport conditions, but keep away from excessive heat, ignition sources, and moisture. Store in a dry, clean area to prevent contamination, and handle with standard industrial equipment. |
| Storage | Store EVATHENE UE4003 in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and open flames. Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption and contamination. Maintain temperatures below 30°C and avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents. Use proper labeling and ensure adequate ventilation to prevent dust accumulation. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically two years when stored in original, unopened packaging in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. |
Chemically crosslinked ethylene-vinyl acetate foam production for athletic footwear midsoles uses EVATHENE UE4003, specified with a nominal vinyl acetate content of 18 wt% and a melt flow rate of 3.0 g/10 min under 190 °C and 2.16 kg load by ISO 1133-1:2022, as the primary elastic phase. The compound is prepared on a two-roll mill or in an internal mixer with azodicarbonamide blowing agent at 1.2–2.8 phr, dicumyl peroxide at 0.6–1.0 phr, zinc oxide at 1.0–2.0 phr, stearic acid at 0.4–0.7 phr, and fine calcium carbonate at 0–20 phr where higher hardness cell walls are required. The mill is operated with a front-roll temperature of 100–110 °C and a rear-roll temperature of 90–100 °C; exceeding 120 °C on the front roll initiates premature azodicarbonamide gas release, creating microvoids that cannot be recovered during the final expansion stage. The formulated sheet is then pressed in a hydraulic compression press with platen temperature uniformity within ±3 °C at 150–165 °C and 150–180 kg/cm² for 8–15 min, during which dicumyl peroxide crosslinks the EVA chains while zinc oxide lowers the blowing agent decomposition window to overlap the crosslink density development curve. The competitive vulcanization kinetics of peroxide crosslinking and gas evolution govern the expansion ratio; if the crosslink network forms too slowly relative to gas release, cell coalescence produces split edges and center collapse, while an excessively fast network reduces expansion below 1.8× and maintains density above 0.30 g/cm³. On production lines, the most common batch-to-batch variance appears as density drift across the sheet when platen temperature variation exceeds 5 °C or when compound viscosity shifts the cell nucleation rate. Density is measured by ISO 845, compression set by ASTM D3575, tear strength by ASTM D624, and Shore Asker C hardness by ASTM D2240; exported footwear components require REACH Candidate List SVHC screening under Article 33(1) of EC 1907/2006 and, for EU consumer goods, General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988. Terminal finished product types include phylon midsole sheets, sandal soles, juvenile footwear outsole pads, orthotic footbeds, and EVA exercise mat core layers.
For EVA-based hot melt adhesives employed in perfect binding and case making, EVATHENE UE4003 is combined with a rosin ester or C5/C9 hydrocarbon tackifier at 35–45 wt%, paraffin or Fischer-Tropsch wax at 10–20 wt%, and a hindered phenolic/phosphite antioxidant package at 0.5–1.0 wt%, with the EVA fraction held at 28–35 wt% of the total formulation. The melt is prepared in a heated tank melter under nitrogen blanketing at 160–180 °C; viscosity is measured at 180 °C by ASTM D3236 and typically falls between 1500 and 4000 mPa·s, while ring-and-ball softening point is measured by ASTM E28-18 and typically falls between 85 and 100 °C. Adhesive is applied through a spine wheel or slot-die applicator at 170–180 °C onto paper signatures, followed by a pressing station at 0.3–0.6 MPa nip pressure and cooling for 3–8 s prior to cover contact. The main process limitation is thermal degradation during prolonged dwell; at melt temperatures above 190 °C, EVA copolymers with vinyl acetate segments undergo deacetylation that liberates acetic acid and raises adhesion failure under ASTM D1002 lap shear. Published data for this specific grade in high-speed perfect binding at line speeds above 12,000 cycles/h is limited; production qualification therefore uses viscosity drift after 72 h at 180 °C as a release criterion, with drift above 10% considered rejectable. For indirect food contact packaging applications, the adhesive falls under FDA 21 CFR 175.105 and EU Regulation 10/2011 where used in multilayer food-contact printing or closure construction. Terminal finished product types include softcover books, magazine spines, paperboard carton closures, and case-bound book side gluing.
Low-smoke zero-halogen cable compound lines running EVATHENE UE4003 as the polyolefin base phase load aluminum trihydrate at 120–150 phr, magnesium hydroxide at 0–40 phr, zinc borate at 3–8 phr, vinyl silane coupling agent at 0.8–1.5 wt% of filler mass, and antioxidant/copper inhibitor at 0.4–0.8 phr, with the EVA fraction constituting 50–80 wt% of the total polymer blend. The compound is produced in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with L/D=40, barrel temperatures maintained at 120–170 °C, and filler introduced through a side feeder after polymer melting to restrict torque spikes and prevent filler attrition; a vacuum port at the devolatilization zone removes surface moisture before pelletizing. Aluminum trihydrate releases its water of hydration above 180 °C, so the compounding window must remain below this threshold; when filler pre-drying is not performed at 80 °C for 4 h or atmospheric relative humidity exceeds 60%, residual moisture above 0.3 wt% generates porosity that is later detected as dielectric failure under ASTM D150 and low tensile retention under IEC 60811-501. The cured compound is extruded onto copper conductors through a single-screw extruder with L/D=24–30 at melt temperatures of 120–160 °C, using a screen pack of 100–150 µm to capture undispersed hydroxide agglomerates. UL 94 V-0 candidate jackets must also meet IEC 60332-1-2 flame spread limits and ISO 5659-2 smoke density limits for low-smoke designation; RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU Annex II prescribes maximum homogeneous-material concentrations of 0.1 wt% for lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB, and PBDE, and 0.01 wt% for cadmium. Terminal finished product types include halogen-free low-voltage cable sheathing, control cable insulation, and battery cable jackets for electric vehicle auxiliary circuits.
| Control parameter | Lower operating limit | Upper operating limit | Measurement method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel temperature | 120 °C | 170 °C | Thermocouple calibration |
| ATH pre-dry moisture | 0.10 wt% | 0.25 wt% | Karl Fischer titration |
| Dielectric strength | 15 kV/mm | ≥18 kV/mm | ASTM D150 |
| Tensile retention after ageing | ≥75% | ≥85% | IEC 60811-501 |
| Limiting oxygen index | 28% | 35% | ISO 4589-2 |
On injection molding lines producing flexible appliance dampening components and exercise equipment footpads, EVATHENE UE4003 is injected at a melt temperature of 175–205 °C, mold temperature of 25–40 °C, holding pressure of 40–70 MPa, back pressure of 0.5–1.2 MPa, and clamp force of 3.0–5.0 t/cm² of projected area at wall sections near 2.0 mm. The processing is carried out in a reciprocating screw machine with L/D=20–22 and compression ratio of 2.5:1. The formulation is typically 100 phr EVATHENE UE4003 with 0.1–0.3 phr hindered phenolic antioxidant and 0.5–1.5 wt% silicone masterbatch for demolding, with optional LDPE at 10–30 phr to raise Shore A hardness from the base copolymer range of 86–92 to a harder durometer for structural parts. The processing boundary is shear-induced scorching; at screw surface speeds above 0.6 m/s, viscous dissipation can elevate local melt temperature beyond 230 °C, causing acetic acid odour and surface splay. Test specimens are prepared according to ISO 294-1; tensile properties are reported per ASTM D638, hardness per ASTM D2240, and melt flow per ISO 1133-1:2022 for lot acceptance. RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and REACH SVHC screening apply to exported appliance and fitness goods. Terminal finished product types include appliance bumper feet, anti-vibration gaskets, gym equipment end caps, and furniture glides.
Where high filler loadings in polyolefin masterbatch require viscosity matching to the letdown resin, EVATHENE UE4003 functions as the carrier phase at 55–75 wt% of the masterbatch, with organic pigments or additives at 25–40 wt%, polyethylene wax dispersant at 2–5 wt%, and processing stabilizer at 0.2–0.5 wt%. The carrier is selected because its melt flow rate of 3.0 g/10 min under ISO 1133-1:2022 permits letdown at 2–5 wt% into LDPE or LLDPE without causing visible dissimilar melt fractures in the final blown or cast film. Compounding is conducted in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with L/D=36–48 and distributive mixing elements, with first barrel zones set to 120–140 °C, mixing zones at 170–190 °C, and melt temperature at the die restricted to ≤200 °C to prevent color shift in heat-sensitive organic pigments. Strand pelletizing with a water bath set at 25–35 °C produces cylindrical pellets; screen pack retention at 150–250 µm is used for pigment agglomerates. Regulatory compliance requires the masterbatch to satisfy EU 10/2011 Annex I total migration of 10 mg/dm² if the letdown film is intended for food contact; the carrier resin falls under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520, while individual pigments must comply with FDA 21 CFR 178.3297 color additive requirements. Terminal finished product types include color masterbatch for blow molded bottles, antioxidant masterbatch for agricultural film, and processing aid masterbatch for extrusion coating.
Coextruded cast film lines that blend EVATHENE UE4003 into the sealant layer require chill roll temperatures of 15–25 °C, die temperatures of 190–230 °C, and corona treatment to 38–42 mN/m before lamination. The sealant layer is formulated at 20–40 wt% EVATHENE UE4003 in LDPE or at 100 wt% in a thin surface layer of 5–15 µm thickness, with slip and antiblock masterbatch added at 0.5–1.5 wt% to prevent blocking on the winder. Seal initiation temperature is measured according to ASTM F88; with films containing 18 wt% vinyl acetate in the sealant layer, heat seal strength above 1.5 N/15 mm is typically achieved at seal bar temperatures between 90 and 120 °C, depending on line speed and dwell. Slip additive migration kinetics to the sealant surface affect coefficient of friction within 24–72 h after winding; coefficient of friction is measured according to ASTM D1894, tensile properties per ASTM D882, and optical haze per ASTM D1003. The production boundary is roll wrap: at chill roll temperatures above 25 °C, the EVA surface layer remains sufficiently tacky to wrap the roll and produce transverse wrinkles; at temperatures below 12 °C, condensation can occur in high-humidity plants and create surface defects. Food-contact use of the sealant layer is regulated by EU Regulation 10/2011 Annex I, with overall migration not to exceed 10 mg/dm², and by FDA 21 CFR 177.1350 for ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; the converter must confirm the specific additive package does not exceed extraction limits for the governing food type. Terminal finished product types include heat-sealable lamination film for coffee pouch liners, frozen food overwrap seal layers, and protective film masking layers for appliance panels.
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EVATHENE UE4003 is a random ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer supplied as translucent low-gel pellets in the EVATHENE UE series produced by USI Corporation. The nominal vinyl acetate content is 18 wt%, placing the grade in the intermediate-polarity segment of EVA copolymers. Under ASTM D1238 at 190 °C and a 2.16 kg load, the representative melt flow rate is 2.5 g/10 min; density determined by ASTM D1505 is approximately 0.938 g/cm³. Tensile strength at break for EVA copolymers with 18 wt% vinyl acetate commonly falls between 15 MPa and 22 MPa under ISO 527-2 at 50 mm/min, with elongation at break in the range of 700–800%. Exact UE4003 values are lot-dependent and are reported on the supplier certificate of analysis; published datasheet values should not be used for engineering design without confirmation. The monomer sequence is predominantly random, with acetate pendant groups distributed along the ethylene backbone rather than present as block or graft domains. The statistical interruption of polyethylene crystallites by the acetate groups reduces orthorhombic crystallinity relative to LLDPE of equivalent density, lowering the Vicat softening point and increasing low-temperature flexibility. Shore A hardness is approximately 93, and the Vicat softening point determined by ASTM D1525 is near 72 °C. These values are representative lot data.
The combination of 18 wt% vinyl acetate and a melt flow rate of 2.5 g/10 min differentiates the grade from LLDPE and from other EVA classes. The material retains sufficient melt strength for foam expansion and low enough melt viscosity for injection filling of multi-cavity tools. In calendered or cast film, the acetate group reduces heat-seal initiation temperature to the 70–80 °C range, permitting seal through polar contamination. In injection moulding, the low melt flow rate is not a limiting factor when thin-wall sections are kept shorter than the spiral-flow length corresponding to the selected injection pressure and melt temperature. The grade is used in footwear midsole compounds, injection-moulded automotive mats, masterbatch carrier resins, gaskets, and crosslinked foam products where moderate polarity improves filler wetting and surface adhesion relative to LLDPE.
The principal differentiator is the statistical weight fraction of vinyl acetate, not the melt index alone. Low-VA grades at 9–12 wt% vinyl acetate retain higher crystallinity, higher tensile modulus, higher Vicat softening point, and lower solvent solubility. High-VA grades at 26–28 wt% vinyl acetate show stronger polar adhesion to metals and polar substrates, lower crystalline melting point, greater flexibility, and higher gas permeability. EVATHENE UE4003 at 18 wt% occupies a position where optical clarity, flexibility, and processing stability remain usable without the excessive surface tack and pellet-blocking observed in high-VA resins. The grade therefore appears in applications requiring moderate polarity and mechanical toughness, including footwear midsole compounds, injection-moulded automotive mats, and masterbatch carrier resins where higher filler acceptance than LLDPE is required.
| Property class | EVATHENE UE4003 | Low-VA extrusion grade | High-VA adhesive grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl acetate content | 18 wt% | 9–12 wt% | 26–28 wt% |
| Melt flow rate (ASTM D1238, 190 °C, 2.16 kg) | 2.5 g/10 min | 1.5–3.0 g/10 min | 25–43 g/10 min |
| Density (ASTM D1505) | 0.938 g/cm³ | 0.926–0.929 g/cm³ | 0.950–0.955 g/cm³ |
| Shore hardness (ASTM D2240) | 93 Shore A | 48–52 Shore D | 70–80 Shore A |
| Vicat softening point (ASTM D1525) | 72 °C | 82–88 °C | 42–48 °C |
| Typical processing route | Injection moulding, foam expansion, extrusion compounding | Cast film, lamination, blow moulding | Hot-melt adhesive, wax blend, solvent coating |
The table is not a release specification; it is a comparative envelope assembled from public grade literature. For EVATHENE UE4003, the practical significance of the 18 wt% vinyl acetate level is that adhesive tack and pellet surface blocking remain below the high-VA range, yet crystallinity is sufficiently lowered to permit low-temperature flex-crack resistance in footwear. In low-VA grades, the higher Vicat softening point supports elevated service temperature but sacrifices compatibility with polar fillers and plasticizers, leading to lower filler acceptance and poorer adhesion to polar skins. In high-VA grades, adhesion to aluminium and paper substrates increases, but the pellet surface becomes tacky, requiring chilled air conveying and anti-block partitioning during warehousing.
On production-scale reciprocating screw injection moulding machines with clamp forces from 80 to 350 t, the barrel temperature profile for UE4003 typically begins at 140 °C in the feed zone, rises to 165–180 °C in the metering zone, and holds the nozzle at 175–185 °C. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; the profile is representative for EVA copolymers of comparable melt flow rate. Screw L/D ratios of 20:1 to 25:1 with compression ratios of 2.5:1 to 3.0:1 are used for melt homogenization without excessive shear heating. Hold pressure is typically set between 40 MPa and 80 MPa, and mold temperature is maintained below 50 °C to shorten cycle time and prevent post-demolding shape distortion. Shot size should not exceed 70% of barrel capacity to limit residence time and reduce the probability of deacetylation.
In single-screw extrusion of EVA foam and sheet, the melt temperature setpoint should remain below 200 °C, and the die pressure should be monitored to detect progressive screw wear or melt-channel accumulation. Because the acetate group increases adhesion to metal surfaces at processing temperatures, screw surfaces and die lips require periodic removal of oxidized amber deposits. Barrel temperature override in the feed section must be avoided; premature melting in the feed zone can reduce solids conveying and increase air entrapment, leading to foam surface defects. Venting may be required for formulations containing volatile plasticizers or moisture-carrying fillers, with the vent maintained at 165–175 °C to allow gas escape before the metering section.
Batch-to-batch variation in melt flow rate for UE4003 is typically controlled within ±0.3 g/10 min of the nominal 2.5 g/10 min. On injection lines equipped with hydraulic injection units, a drift of 0.5 g/10 min can alter cushion position by 2–4 mm and require adjustment of shot size; in foam injection, the same drift can change shot weight and foamed part mass, affecting sole density and dimensional stability. Therefore incoming resin lots should be checked by ISO 1133-1:2022 method A before release to production, particularly when the material is blended with regrind or masterbatch. Compounding operations use high-shear dispersion to achieve filler wetting and additive distribution. With calcium carbonate addition up to 30 wt%, the melt temperature may be increased by 5–10 °C to compensate for the viscosity rise, but the upper limit remains governed by the deacetylation threshold. In masterbatch carrier applications, EVA with 18 wt% vinyl acetate is preferred over LDPE when higher pigment loading and polar wax dispersion are required; the acetate unit improves compatibility with polar pigments and reduces the incidence of agglomerates passing through 325 mesh screen packs. For flame-retardant compounds, metal hydroxide addition at 50–65 wt% is used in low-smoke, zero-halogen cable sheathing; the resulting compound requires a screw with low compression ratio to prevent shear-induced surface defects and must be extruded through a die with a polished chrome finish to avoid metal pick-up.
In foam conversion, the processing window is bounded by two kinetic processes: decomposition of chemical blowing agents such as azodicarbonamide and thermal deacetylation of the vinyl acetate side group. Azodicarbonamide decomposes exothermically near 205–215 °C, while thermal deacetylation of EVA becomes measurable above 230 °C during protracted residence. The apparent activation energy for EVA deacetylation under inert conditions is commonly reported in the range of 180–230 kJ/mol; published data for this specific grade is limited. Plant-scale monitoring shows that when barrel residence time exceeds 180 s at melt temperatures above 220 °C, liberated acetic acid can increase melt acidity and promote corrosion on nitrided steel surfaces. The practical melt temperature for UE4003 in foam injection is therefore held between 150 °C and 185 °C, with gas counter-pressure or cavity expansion used to control cell morphology rather than raising the melt temperature.
When a chemical blowing agent is used, the gas yield and decomposition onset must be matched to the viscosity-temperature curve of the melt. Azodicarbonamide, modified azodicarbonamide, and exothermic–endothermic blends differ in gas evolution profile and residue chemistry; azodicarbonamide residues can include semicarbazide, which is restricted under Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 in food-contact applications. For foamed footwear applications, the recommended blowing agent masterbatch addition is conventionally 1–3 wt%, but the exact loading depends on target density, tool venting, and desired skin thickness. The resulting foam density is controlled between 0.12 g/cm³ and 0.25 g/cm³ for midsole applications; lower densities require either higher plastication temperatures or chemical blowing agent loading, both of which narrow the processing window. Because UE4003 has a relatively low melt flow rate, cell collapse can occur if melt pressure drops below the blowing gas saturation pressure before mold filling is complete; maintaining a back pressure of 0.5–1.5 MPa during screw recovery is required to keep the gas in solution.
Foam cell morphology is controlled by melt viscosity, blowing gas solubility, and cooling rate. In crosslinked EVA foam sheets, the gel content after peroxide cure typically reaches 60–80%; the uncrosslinked fraction influences tear strength and compression set. The crosslink density should be measured by solvent extraction in boiling xylene for 12 h or by moving-die rheometer final torque values. A gel content below 50% is generally associated with coarse cell walls and higher shrinkage after demolding; above 85%, the expansion pressure may exceed the modulus of the surrounding melt, leading to surface cracks. These values are generic to EVA foam and must be validated on UE4003 with the specific formulation.
For food-contact applications, EVATHENE UE4003 must be evaluated under FDA 21 CFR 177.1350, which applies to ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer articles and components. Compliance is not conferred by resin composition alone; the finished article must satisfy extractables testing under the specified solvent exposure and end-use conditions, and regrind content must be controlled if it includes non-compliant production scrap. In the European Union, the resin falls within Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials intended to come into contact with food. Vinyl acetate is an authorized monomer with a specific migration limit of 12 mg/kg food simulant; migration testing under EN 1186 and analytical quantification under EN 13130 are typically required for the finished article. For electrical and electronic applications, the homogeneous material must meet Directive 2011/65/EU Annex II restrictions for lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB, and PBDE at maximum concentration values of 0.1% by weight, and 0.01% for cadmium. Under REACH, no intentionally added SVHC above the 0.1% threshold is expected for this grade, but downstream converters must verify that their additives, pigments, and processing aids do not introduce new SVHC obligations.
Moisture handling and additive compatibility require attention. Although EVA is less hygroscopic than polyamide or PET, surface moisture from storage at relative humidity above 60% can generate splay and reduce surface gloss. Pellets should be dried in a desiccant dryer with a dew point below -40 °C at 80 °C for 4 h before processing when ambient RH exceeds 60%. In peroxide-cured formulations, the addition of amine-based antioxidants, hindered amine light stabilizers, or strongly basic additives can alter the peroxide cure response and increase the risk of premature crosslinking or ester cleavage. The cure package should be screened by moving-die rheometry under ASTM D5289; dicumyl peroxide levels from 1.0 to 2.5 phr are common for crosslinked foam, but scorch time and maximum torque must be validated because the vinyl acetate group participates in radical transfer reactions. For purging, a low-melt-index LDPE purge resin at 180–200 °C is preferred; polycarbonate or PVC purge compounds should be avoided because residual acetic acid can degrade them and form carbonaceous deposits on screw flights.
Differences from LLDPE and from plastomers are measurable in heat-seal and dielectric response. In film structures, an EVA copolymer with 18 wt% vinyl acetate typically reduces heat-seal initiation temperature to 70–80 °C and enables sealing through contaminated surfaces; however, the increased polarity raises dielectric loss and may reduce volume resistivity by several decades relative to LLDPE. These properties are exploited in high-frequency welding of EVA foam and sheet, where the higher dissipation factor permits RF heating at 27.12 MHz. The dissipation factor of UE4003 should be confirmed under ASTM D150 or IEC 60250, because filler loading and plasticizer content shift the dielectric response beyond the neat resin value. Published data for this specific configuration is limited.
