Applications of Sinopec Yangzi 18J3 EVA in Industrial Manufacturing

Sinopec Yangzi 18J3 EVA supports major manufacturing processes in key industries where the balance of flexibility, processability, and mechanical strength are central to product performance. This material consistently delivers standardized quality for multiple high-value industrial segments.

1. Wire & Cable Insulation Manufacturing

Electrical cable producers apply 18J3-grade EVA to ensure outstanding dielectric properties and weather resistance for low-voltage insulation sheaths. The material’s vinyl acetate content and molecular weight distribution offer clean processing through extrusion lines, helping attain precise insulation thickness, elongation, and anti-aging requirements for residential and industrial wiring. Applications in solar photovoltaic cables benefit from EVA’s resistance to sunlight, heat, and UV degradation. Customers select 18J3 EVA based on its known compatibility with cross-linking agents and flame retardants, allowing firms to meet technical and regulatory demands in domestic and export markets.

Industry compliance standards

• UL 1581 (Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables, and Flexible Cords)
• IEC 60502-1 (Power Cables with Extruded Insulation and Accessories)
• RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU, Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
• REACH Regulation (EC 1907/2006)

Typical usage ratio

• 40%–70% EVA (by weight) blended with PE or EEA to adjust flexibility and impact resistance
• Ratios adjusted based on insulation thickness and flame resistance class as specified in client wire category

Downstream process integration

• Pellet feeding into single-screw or twin-screw extrusion systems after compounding with crosslinking agents and additives
• Inline UV exposure for cross-linkable insulation products
• Online monitoring of melt index during formation of insulation layers
• Cable jacket formation before cooling baths and subsequent coiling

Final product types

• Building wires for residential and commercial use
• Flexible appliance cables
• Solar PV cable insulation
• Automotive low voltage harnesses

2. Hot Melt Adhesive Production

Industrial adhesive formulating plants use 18J3 EVA as a main polymer backbone in hot melt adhesive recipes aimed at packaging, bookbinding, woodworking, and hygiene nonwovens. This grade’s established compatibility with tackifying resins and waxes assures consistent viscosity and open time across application temperatures. The use of EVA enables producers to deliver adhesives with reliable thermal stability, adhesion to various substrates, and odor control. Factories adjust resin percentages and process settings to optimize both spray and roll-coating deployments in OEM environments.

Industry compliance standards

• FDA CFR 21 175.105 (Adhesives for Food Contact Packaging)
• EN 923 (European Norm for Adhesive Terminology)
• ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems in Adhesive Manufacturing)
• REACH SVHC Compliance

Typical usage ratio

• 30%–50% EVA as polymer base in standard HMPSA (Hot Melt Pressure Sensitive Adhesive) formulations
• Adjusted according to required open time, tack, and viscosity by application sector (carton closing, hygiene, woodworking)

Downstream process integration

• Batch or continuous blending in heated kneaders with resins and waxes
• Filtration and conditioning before drum or pellet packaging
• Melt application by slot nozzle, roll, or fiberized spray in end-user production lines
• QC testing for bond strength and setting times

Final product types

• Case and carton sealing adhesives
• Bookbinding glues
• Nonwoven hygiene adhesives (diapers, feminine care)
• Label and tape adhesives

3. Foam Sole and Sheet Production for Footwear

Shoe materials manufacturers employ 18J3 EVA to develop lightweight, shock-absorbing foamed soles and midsoles for sports, casual, and safety footwear. This grade delivers stable foaming expansion and uniform cell structure under high pressure and controlled heat. Processing shops tune the EVA content to reach the targeted hardness (Shore A), resilience, and slip resistance, adding cross-linkers and blowing agents to control bulk density and texture per customer design cues.

Industry compliance standards

• ISO 20871:2018 (Footwear — Test Methods for Outsole)
• EN ISO 20344/20345 (Personal Protective Equipment Footwear)
• GB/T 15107-2013 (Chinese National Standard for EVA Foaming)
• REACH Annex XVII Restrictions

Typical usage ratio

• 60%–90% EVA with fillers, cross-linkers, and blowing agents
• Blend ratio determined by final foam expansion rate and mechanical strength

Downstream process integration

• Compounding in Banbury mixers with masterbatch and foaming ingredients
• Sheet extrusion, then batch-molding in steam-compression molds for cellular expansion
• In-line trimming and embossing to match pattern requirements
• Hardness and slip test validation before cutting to shoe dimensions

Final product types

• Injected foamed shoe soles
• Sports and running footwear midsoles
• Comfort slippers, sandals, and flip-flop sheets
• Footwear safety and anti-static sole layers

4. Film & Sheet Extrusion for Packaging Applications

Flexible film converters select 18J3 EVA as a core modifier in blown film and cast film operations, particularly where low-temperature sealability and puncture resistance are required. The material’s flow properties and compatibility with LDPE and LLDPE enable reliable bubble formation and clean sealing edges during high-speed production of shrink films, medical pouch films, and lamination films. Strict molecular weight control supports repeatable gauge thickness vital for automated form-fill-seal and vacuum packaging lines.

Industry compliance standards

• FDA CFR 21 177.1350 (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymers for Food Contact)
• EN 1186 (Materials and Articles in Contact with Foodstuffs)
• ISO 14021:2016 (Environmental Labels and Declarations)
• GB 9685 (China National Food Contact Additive Standard)

Typical usage ratio

• 10%–35% EVA content in multilayer film recipes with LDPE/LLDPE
• Proportions depend on target seal temperature and required film flexibility

Downstream process integration

• Blown or cast film extrusion with gravimetric blending
• Co-extrusion with PE for barrier or printable layers
• Corona discharge treatment for surface activation
• Automated slitting and roll winding

Final product types

• Shrink wrap packaging films
• Thermal lamination films for flexible pouches
• Cold-seal and heat-seal food bags
• Medical device packaging films

5. Solar Cell Encapsulation

Photovoltaic module manufacturers adopt this grade for encapsulating crystalline silicon solar cells, benefiting from its optical clarity and proven cross-linking capacity under lamination. EVA sheets provide electrical insulation, impact damping, and environmental barrier properties after lamination at controlled temperature and pressure. The grade’s specifications align with leading cell efficiency requirements and retention properties under UV and thermal cycling, supporting module warranties of up to 25 years.

Industry compliance standards

• IEC 61215 (Crystalline Silicon PV Module Qualification)
• UL 1703 (Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels)
• TÜV Rheinland Standard 2PfG 1162/10.09 (EVA for PV modules)
• RoHS and REACH regulatory frameworks for hazardous substances

Typical usage ratio

• Single encapsulation layer: typically 450–550g/m² per glass-silicon assembly
• Layer thickness and density selected according to module design and frame configuration

Downstream process integration

• Continuous extrusion calendaring for sheet manufacture
• Lamination with glass and solar cells in vacuum presses
• Thermal cross-linking at 135–150°C, 10–20 minutes
• Post-lamination edge trimming and gel content validation

Final product types

• Crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels
• Bifacial solar modules
• Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) laminates
• Flexible solar cell units

6. Automotive Interior and Sealing Components

Automotive component suppliers select 18J3 EVA for producing flexible profiles and sealing strips in door, trunk, and window glazing areas. This grade’s non-staining formulation and bondability support reliable direct extrusion or co-extrusion onto rigid substrates, enhancing sound insulation and vibration damping. Manufacturers integrate color, flame retardant, and aging inhibitor additives to meet high durability standards for original equipment and aftermarket uses.

Industry compliance standards

• ISO 6722 (Road Vehicles — 60V and 600V Single-Core Cables for Electrical Wiring)
• SAE J200 (Rubber Materials, Automotive Application)
• FMVSS 302 (Flammability of Interior Materials)
• REACH/ELV Directive (End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation)

Typical usage ratio

• 50%–85% EVA, with minor additions of fillers and colorants
• Proportion based on required softness, anti-fog properties, and cold flexibility

Downstream process integration

• Extrusion through complex dies for multi-profile sealing systems
• Co-extrusion with thermoplastic elastomers for bi-material gaskets
• Continuous vulcanization or cooling and punch-cutting to required length
• Final surface treatment for gloss and friction characteristics

Final product types

• Door and window seals
• Instrument panel anti-vibration pads
• Interior trim cushioning components
• Tailgate, trunk, and door gaskets