ETHYLENE VINYL ALCOHOL COPOLYMER
Category：Paint chemicals
Introduction
Trade named under EVASIN, our ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer is a special thermoplastic polymer without any plastic additive. It can be used to produce high oxygen barrier films, sheets and other various food packaging materials. Because of its superior gas barrier function, its application has been widened in recent years. Due to water absorption will impact its barrier property, it is usually used with multi-layer co-extrusion production equipments.
Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH): Overview and Key Properties
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Chemical Structure | Random copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol |
| CAS Number | 26221-27-2 |
| Appearance | Transparent pellets |
| Key Feature | Outstanding gas barrier properties |
Composition & Grades
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Ethylene Content | 27-48 mol% |
| Density | 1.12-1.21 g/cm³ |
| Commercial Grades | E32. E38. E44 (ethylene mol%) |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 160-190°C (320-374°F) |
| Tensile Strength | 50-70 MPa |
| Oxygen Permeability | 0.1-1.0 cc·mil/100in²·day·atm |
| Moisture Absorption | 3-5% (24h immersion) |
Barrier Performance Comparison
| Material | O2 Permeability | Moisture Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|
| EVOH (E32) | 0.1 (best) | High |
| PVDC | 0.2 | Medium |
| PET | 5-10 | Low |
| HDPE | 150-300 | Very low |
Processing Methods
| Method | Temperature | Layer Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Coextrusion | 200-230°C | Middle layer |
| Lamination | 150-180°C | Adhesive-bonded |
| Injection Molding | 210-250°C | Multilayer systems |
Applications
| Industry | Use Cases |
|---|---|
| Food Packaging | Meat, cheese, retort pouches |
| Pharmaceutical | Blister packs, diagnostic kits |
| Automotive | Fuel tanks, hoses |
| Agriculture | Greenhouse films |
Advantages vs. Limitations
| Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Best O₂ barrier among plastics | Hydroscopic nature |
| Excellent oil resistance | Requires multilayer design |
| FDA compliant for food contact | Higher cost than alternatives |
Market Data
| Segment | Market Share | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Food Packaging | 65% | 5.8% CAGR |
| Pharmaceutical | 20% | 6.2% CAGR |
| Other | 15% | 4.5% CAGR |
Leading Producers
| Company | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| Kuraray | EVAL™ |
| Nippon Gohsei | Soarnol™ |
| Chang Chun Petrochemical | EVOH |
Summary
EVOH delivers unmatched oxygen barrier properties critical for sensitive packaging applications. While moisture sensitivity necessitates multilayer structures, its exceptional performance justifies the cost premium in demanding applications like modified atmosphere packaging and fuel systems. Ongoing developments focus on moisture-resistant grades and recycling compatibility.
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