Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and Hot Melt Adhesives

Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and Hot Melt Adhesives Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The percentage of vinyl acetate in the final product is usually between 10% and 40%, with the rest being ethylene.

Formulation and Composition

Ethylene provides mechanical strength, block resistance, and paraffin solubility while adhering to nonpolar substrates like polyethylene. Vinyl acetate, on the other hand, improves adhesion to polar substrates like paper while also providing flexibility, adhesion, and low-temperature performance. The properties of the adhesive are directly affected by the way it is made. For example, a higher proportion of ethylene in the formulation increases the strength and resistance of the specific EVA adhesive, while a higher proportion of vinyl acetate improves the adhesive’s flexibility and adhesion to paper products. High-vinyl acetate formulations can operate at lower temperatures, have better wettability to substrates (industry term), and have a longer open time and slower set time.

Features of EVA

While the properties of EVA adhesives vary depending on the formulation, they adhere to the widest range of substrates, operate in one of the widest temperature ranges for hot melt adhesives, and are, above all, the most cost-effective. EVA hot melt adhesives usually only require one application and have a viscosity range of 900-3,000 cPs. They melt at 350°F (176°C). EVA adhesives, for the most part, have a quick setting time. It’s worth noting, though, that if you use a formulation with a higher vinyl-acetate ratio, the setting time will be slightly longer. Depending on the formulation, EVA adhesives can operate at temperatures as low as -40oF (-40oC) and as high as 160oF (71oC).

Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Hot Melt Adhesives

Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyolefin or metallocene are among the main types of industrial hot melt adhesives. EVA is a copolymer adhesive that is widely used in the paper, packaging, and assembly industries because it adheres to a wide range of cellulosic materials and comes in a variety of formulations. The adhesive’s properties are directly influenced by its composition. As they can be specially formulated for a variety of applications, there are many different types on the market. Hot melt adhesives are used in a wide range of industries, including paper and packaging, woodworking, graphic arts, assembly, and the automotive industry. Hot melt adhesives are the most widely used and popular types of industrial adhesives on the market today. Hot melt adhesives are made up of polymers and are thermoplastic, which means they are solid at room temperature. These adhesives achieve their adhesion properties without the use of water or solvents, resulting in a very fast curing time, a long shelf life, and functionality across a wide temperature range.

Industries and Applications

Because of their versatility, reliability and durability, EVA hot melt adhesives are used in a wide variety of industries for a variety of applications. These industries include the woodworking, assembly and automotive industries. The increasing demand for EVA stands out in the packaging industry due to its superior vibration and shock absorbing properties. EVA adhesives are specially formulated to adhere to paper, cardboards and a variety of waxed surfaces. They are therefore ideal for use in the packaging industry dealing with a wide variety of products and industrial applications. These products include paper/card stock boxes, package labeling, carton sealing, assembly and paper converting, and many different applications.

Other Areas of Usage

EVA and polyethylene are frequently co-extruded. EVA is best known for lowering the softening and melting points of polyethylene films. It also improves the films’ impact strength and puncture resistance. EVA serves as a solar cell or module’s capsule. It can be used as a copolymer film for photovoltaic solar modules, acting as a basic sealant to ensure reliability and performance. With properties such as heat, structural design, high impact and usage absorption, and stress-crack resistance, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is considered an ideal material for the shoe industry. Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is used in a variety of industries, including packaging, biotechnology, and photovoltaics. The global ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) market is expected to grow in the future as a result of all of these benefits. Sertaç Güler Technical Sales Manager Boyss Petrokimya