Applications of Sinopec Yanshan 18C4 EVA in Industrial Manufacturing

Sinopec Yanshan 18C4 EVA, a high vinyl acetate content polyethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, serves as a key polymer base in advanced manufacturing. Its performance meets the demanding specifications of multiple sectors, supporting industries with essential mechanical, chemical, and processing properties. The following application scenarios detail the deployment of this material in real production environments.

1. Solar Photovoltaic Encapsulant Films

The material achieves broad use as a primary polymer in the encapsulation layer for crystalline silicon photovoltaic module manufacturing. Its balance between transparency, flexibility, and strong ultraviolet stability gives precise protection to solar cells through demanding lamination cycles and variable outdoor exposure. EVA resin enters the extrusion process, directly impacting cell durability and module output in international utility and commercial projects.

Industry compliance standards

• IEC 61215:2016 (Crystalline silicon terrestrial PV modules), UL 1703 (Standard for Safety for Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels)
• ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems for manufacturing)
• RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU, hazardous substance restriction in electrical equipment)
• REACH Regulation (EC 1907/2006)

Typical usage ratio

• 60–80% by total encapsulant film mass, adjusted per module type, with crosslinking agents and stabilizers set between 2–5%

Downstream process integration

• Direct feed into compounding extruders for film production, followed by calendering or extrusion coating; later laminated to solar cells pre-module assembly

Final product types

• Photovoltaic encapsulation films (sheet form and roll stock)
• Photovoltaic solar panels for residential, commercial, and utility-scale installations

2. Footwear Injection Molding Compounds

Footwear producers worldwide incorporate this EVA grade as a core resin for lightweight, comfortable midsoles and outsoles via injection molding and compression molding. The copolymer structure vastly improves shock absorption and flexibility, especially in sport and leisure footwear, with controlled foaming properties depending on application. Quality control in this sector focuses on physical property consistency, which this EVA supports across high-volume output lines.

Industry compliance standards

• ISO 20345:2022 (Personal protective equipment—Safety footwear)
• EN ISO 20871 (Footwear—Test methods for outsoles)
• REACH Regulation (substance compliance in all footwear exports)
• California Prop 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, for US-market compliance)

Typical usage ratio

• 30–80% of foam compound (varies with flexibility, density and target weight); fillers, crosslinkers and blowing agents are adjusted to finetune hardness and expansion

Downstream process integration

• Blended with colorants, crosslinkers, and foaming agents in batch mixers, then pelletized; direct injection or compression molding shapes compounded pellets into form-fitting midsoles and outsoles

Final product types

• Athletic shoe midsoles and outsoles
• Sandals, slippers, and lightweight casual shoes
• Protective safety footwear

3. Hot Melt Adhesive Formulations

Manufacturers of hot melt adhesives rely on this EVA grade due to its consistent melt flow, tailored adhesion to a range of substrates, and ease of compounding with tackifiers. These characteristics are critical in the production of adhesives for packaging, bookbinding, woodworking, and hygiene products. The polymer enters the blending and extrusion stages, ensuring stable viscosity and open time under automated adhesive production standards, with strict documentation required for product traceability and batch consistency.

Industry compliance standards

• FDA 21 CFR 175.105 (Adhesives, indirect food contact in North America)
• EN 923 (Adhesives—Terms and definitions)
• ISO 9001:2015 (Manufacturing quality management)
• BS EN 16785-1:2015 (Bio-based products, sustainability criteria for adhesives as applicable)

Typical usage ratio

• 20–40% of total adhesive mass, increased for high flexibility or open-time properties—ratio determined by resin grade and viscosity targets

Downstream process integration

• Direct feed into high-shear mixers with tackifiers, waxes, and stabilizers; continuous or batch melt blending, then pelletization or direct extrusion for adhesive pellet or stick fabrication

Final product types

• Hot melt adhesive pellets (industrial and consumer)
• Glue sticks for stationary and bookbinding
• Packaging adhesives (case & carton sealing, labeling lines)

4. Cable and Wire Sheathing Compounds

The electrical and telecommunication cable industries incorporate this grade as a base resin for low-voltage cable sheath and insulation. Its inherent flexibility, stress crack resistance, and electrical insulation performance, particularly after compounding with flame retardants and plasticizers, support cable lines that must maintain integrity across different regulatory markets. Processing requires tight monitoring of extrusion parameters to obtain the required dielectric and mechanical profiles.

Industry compliance standards

• IEC 60502-1 (Power cables with extruded insulation and their accessories for rated voltages 1 kV and 3 kV)
• UL 1581 (Reference standard for electrical wires, cables, and flexible cords)
• RoHS Directive (restriction of hazardous substances in electrical equipment)
• IEC 60332 (Tests on electric and optical fibre cables under fire conditions)

Typical usage ratio

• 40–70% of total compound mass, used with flame retardants (up to 25%) and plasticizers; ratio varies by cable voltage level and flame-resistance needs

Downstream process integration

• Blended with additives in high-intensity mixers; then transferred into twin-screw extruders for direct cable coating or jacketing after wire drawing and conductor assembly

Final product types

• Power cable sheaths and insulation (low-voltage and signal cable)
• Data and telecommunication cable jackets
• Flexible cord sheaths for household and industrial applications

5. Packaging Foam Sheets (Non-Crosslinked)

Converters deploy this material as a central base resin for physically blown and non-crosslinked foam sheet production. The formulation ensures low density, excellent cushioning behavior, and sufficient chemical resistance for transit packaging inserts, consumer electronics protection, and lightweight thermal liners. The foam extrusion process demands reliable expansion and cell structure, which is directly influenced by the material’s melt characteristics.

Industry compliance standards

• ISO 12048 (Packaging—Complete, filled transport packages—Compression and stacking tests)
• REACH Regulation (substance compliance for packaging materials within EEA)
• RoHS Directive (electronic packaging applications)
• ASTM D3575 (Flexible cellular materials—Test standards for physical properties)

Typical usage ratio

• 60–90% of total foam compound; physical blowing agent and nucleating agents typically 2–8%, with ratio determined by targeted foam cell size and end-use thickness

Downstream process integration

• EVA pellets loaded with blowing and nucleating agents; continuous extrusion foaming then cut into specified sheet dimensions

Final product types

• Packaging foam sheets and rolls
• Protective inserts for electronics and appliances
• Lightweight thermal insulating sheets for packaging