Technical Bulletin No.

180

CHEMICAL AND SOLVENT

BARRIER PROPERTIES
OF
EVAL® RESINS

The gas barrier properties of EVAL® resins and films are well known. The greatest number of commercial
applications today capitalize on this outstanding property.

EVAL® resins and films also offer superior resistance to most chemicals and solvents.

The use of EVAL® resins and films to prevent product weight loss, minimize migration of odors, protect
against the effects of residual printing solvents in food packaging and in protective clothing is becoming
increasingly popular.

This bulletin will review, in general, the chemical and solvent barrier properties of EVAL® resins.

SolubiIity

As Tables 1 and 2 indicate, EVAL® resins are not readily soluble in most solvents, even at elevated
temperatures.

www.evalca.com
®
EVAL Resin and Film Sales Office – 2625 Bay Area Boulevard, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77058; 800-423-9762
®
EVAL Manufacturing and R&D – 11500 Bay Area Boulevard, Pasadena, TX 77507; 281-474-9111

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 Table 1
Solubility of Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymers at Various Temperatures
30°C 100°C 150°C
Solubility Vinyl Alcohol Vinyl Alcohol Vinyl Alcohol
Solvent
Parameter Content (mol%) Content (mol%) Content (mol%)
0 40.0 62.9 73.4 100 0 40.0 62.9 73.4 100 0 40.0 62.9 73.4 100
n-Hexane 7.24 I I I I I S I I I I S I I I I
Cyclohexane 8.18 I I I I I S I I I I S I I I I
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone 8.37 I I I I I P P I I I P P I I I
n-Butyl Acetate 8.46 I I I I I P P I I I S I I I I
Carbon Tetrachloride 8.65 I I I I I S I I I I S I I I I
Xylene 8.80 I I I I I S I I I I S I I I I
Toluene 8.91 I I I I I S I I I I S I I I I
Ethyl Acetate 9.10 I I I I I P I I I I P I I I I
Benzene 9.15 I I I I I S I I I I S I I I I
Methyl Acetate 9.15 I I I I I P I I I I P I I I I
Chloroform 9.21 I I I I I S I I I I S I I I I
Methyl Ethyl Ketone 9.27 I I I I I P I I I I P I I I I
Trichloroethylene 9.28 I I I I I S I I I I S I I I I
Tetrahydrofuran 9.52 I I I I I S P I I I S P I I I
Chlorobenzene 9.57 I I I I I S I I I I S I I I I
Methylene Chloride 9.76 I I I I I S I I I I S I I I I
Acetone 9.77 I I I I I I I I I I P I I I I
Cyclohexanone 9.88 I I I I I P P I I I S P I I I
Dichlorobenzene 9.98 I I I I I S P I I I S P I I I
Dioxane 10.0 I I I I I P P I I I P P I I I
Tetrachloroethane 10.56 I I I I I S P I I I S P I I I
tert-Butanol 10.6 I P I I I I P I I I I P I I I
Pyridine 10.6 I S P I I P S P I I P S P I I
S: Soluble
P: Partially Soluble
I: Insoluble

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 Table 2
Solubility of Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer at Various Temperatures
30°C 100°C 150°C
Solubility Vinyl Alcohol Vinyl Alcohol Vinyl Alcohol
Solvent
Parameter Content (mol%) Content (mol%) Content (mol%)
0 40.0 62.9 73.4 100 0 40.0 62.9 73.4 100 0 40.0 62.9 73.4 100
sec-Butanol 10.8 I I I I I I P I I I P S I I I
Cyclohexanol 10.95 I P I I I P P P I I P S P I I
Iso—Butanol 11.1 I I I I I I P I I I I P I I I
m-Cresol 11.1 I S S S I I S S S I I S S S I
n—Butanol 11.3 I P I I I I P I I I I S I I I
iso—Propanol 11.5 I I I I I I P I I I I S I I I
Phenol 11.8 I S S S S I S S S S P S S S S
n-Propanol 11.97 I I I I I I P I I I I S I I I
Benzylalcohol 12.1 I S I I I I S P I I I S P I I
Dimethyl Formamide 12.14 I I I I I I S S S I I S S S S
Formic Acid 12.15 I S S S S I S S S S I S S S S
Ethylene Chlorohydrin 12.2 I S S S I I S S S I I S S S I
Nitromethane 12.3 I I I I I I I I I I P I I I I
Ethanol 12.9 I I I I I I P P I I I P P P I
Dimethyl Sulfoxide 12.93 I S S S S I S S S S I S S S S
Methanol 14.28 I I I I I I S I I I I S I I I
Propylene Glycol 14.8 I I I I I I S P P I I S P P I
Ethylene Glycol 16.3 I I I I I I P S P P I S S S P
Formamide 17.8 I I I I I I I S P P I I S S S
Glycerol 21.1 I I I I I I I P P P I I P P P
Water 23.5 I I I I S I I P P P I I P P S
S: Soluble
P: Partially Soluble
I: Insoluble

Solvents

When used in direct contact with a solvent being packaged, EVAL® resins can minimize weight loss
through the package. This is due, in part, to EVAL® resins’ lack of solubility in many solvents.

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Table 3 compares the solvent weight gain for EVAL® resins to that of a widely used solvent barrier resin,
Nylon 6.

Table 3
Weight Gain of EVAL® Resins in Various Solvents
SP Weight Gain (%)
Solvent Value 20°C, 1 month 20°C, 1 year
F-Series E-Series Nylon 6 F-Series E-Series Nylon 6
Petroleum Ether 7.3 0 0 0 0 0.3 0.2
Diethylether 7.4 0 0 0 0 0.4 0.2
i-AmyI Acetate 7.8 0 0 0 0.04 0.3 0.4
Carbon Tetrachloride 8.6 0 0 0 3.5 21.1 3.0
Xylene 8.8 0 0 0 0 0.8 0.7
Ethylacetate 9.1 0 0 0 0 0.2 0.3
Tetrahydrofuran 9.5 0.3 0.4 0 sw sw 5.1
Benzene 9.2 0 0 0 0.04 0.3 1.0
Benzaldehyde 9.4 0 0 0 0 0 0.6
Acetone 9.8 0 0 0 0 2.3 1.2
Cyclohexanone 9.9 0 0 0 0 0 0.3
O-Dichlorobenzene 9.98 0.02 0.01 0.03 0.3 0.5 0.3
Pyridine 10.6 0.5 2.8 0 0.5 10.0 1.2
Cyclohexanol 10.9 0 0 0 0 0 0.2
Benzylic Alcohol 12.1 0 0.4 6.7 0.05 1.0 10.8
Dimethylformamide 12.1 0.8 5.0 0.3 0.7 10.4 1.8
Ethanol 12.9 1.5 3.4 5.2 2.3 6.6 11.4
Methanol 14.3 5.7 13.3 13.0 12.2 16.7 11.5
Ethylene Glycol 16.3 0.8 1.2 1 .2 1.5 2.5 3.2
a-Methylnaphthalene – 0 0 0.04 0 0.05 1.5
Salad Oil – 0 0.03 0.04 0.1 0.07 0.2
SP: Solubility Parameter
sw: Swollen

Table 4 compares the permeation rate of several organic solvents through EVAL® films and other
common packaging materials.

Table 4
Permeation Rate of Organic Solvents
(g/100 in2/24 hrs)
Material Thickness Solvents
(mils) Chloroform Xylene M.E.K. Kerosene
®
EVAL E Series 0.8 0.20 0.09 0.31 <0.003
®
EVAL E Series 1 .25 0.06 0.04 0.03 <0.003
®
EVAL F Series 0.8 0.13 0.07 0.25 <0.003
®
EVAL F Series 1 .25 0.30 <0.003 0.02 <0.003
®
EVAL EF-XL 0.6 0.01 0.03 0.02 <0.003
LDPE. 2.0 178.1 20.97 4.77 4.90
Oriented PP 0.8 241.3 22.58 0.77 3.42
Oriented Nylon 1.0 0.87 0.06 0.17 0.02
PET 1.0 20.0 0.11 0.10 0.03
PVDC ct’d Oriented Nylon 0.6 0.56 0.05 0.10 <0.003

Inside
Outside
®
EVAL EF-E LDPE 1.0/2.4 0.01 <0.003 0.01 <0.003
®
EVAL EF-F LDPE 0.6/2.4 0.02 <0.003 0.01 <0.003
®
EVAL EF-XL LDPE 0.6/2.4 <0.003 <0.003 0.003 <0.003
Storage Conditions: Organic Solvent—20°C
Environment—20°C, 65% RH

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Table 5 indicates that EVAL® resins are not only an excellent barrier to the migration of chemicals and
solvents, they also maintain their mechanical properties in the presence of various chemicals and
solvents.

Table 5
Mechanical Properties
Solvent Tensile, Yield Tensile, Break Elongation, Break
psi psi %

Control (not immersed) 9,715 4,195 30

Xylene 9,570 4,250 25

o-Dichlorobenzene 9,870 4,265 80

Cyclohexanol 8,990 4,920 20

N,N-Dimethylformamide 11,550 8,065 10

Ethanol 10,240 6,215 15

Ethylene Glycol 9,800 4,240 30

Note:
F Series Resin
20°C, 60 days immersion

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Table 6 indicates that EVAL® resin-based protective clothing is very effective in providing protection from
various chemicals and solvents.

Table 6
Protective Glove Performance
Breakthrough Time in Minutes (1,440 minutes = 24 hour)

Chemical/Solvent Time Chemical/Solvent Time

Acetone 1,440 MMA 1,440

Acetonitrile 1,440 MEK 1,440
Aniline 1,440 Methylene Chloride 1,440
Benzene 1,440 Nitrobenzene 1,440
Carbon Disulfide 1,440 Sodium Hydroxide 1,440
Chloroform 1,440 Styrene 1,440
Diethylamine 60 Sulfuric Acid 93% 1,440
DMF 1,440 Tetrachloroethylene 1,440
Ethyl Acetate 1,440 Toluene 1,440
N-Hexane 1,440 Trichlorethylene 1,440
Methanol 1,440 Xylene 1,440

Gloves - 2.7 mils thick LLDPE/Tie/EVOH/TIe/LLDPE

Evaluated by ASTM F739, Standard Test Method for Resistance
of Protective Clothing to Permeation
by Liquids and Gases

Acids and Bases

Table 7 shows the excellent resistance of EVAL® resins to various acids and bases.

Table 7
®
EVAL Resin Resistance
To Acids and Bases
® Tensile Strength at Yield (psi)
EVAL Equivalent Weight Increase (%)
Grade Ethylene (mol %) 30% H2S04 10% NaOH Blank 30% H2S04 10% NaOH
F Series 32 2.91 2.48 9460 7470 7680
H Series 38 1.58 1.18 8035 7640 7395
E Series 44 0.58 0.62 7440 6985 6840

Test Conditions: 20°C, 7 Days

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Hydrocarbons

Tables 8 and 9 indicate the excellent resistance of EVAL® resins to hydrocarbons.

Table 8
Resistance to Fuels
Permeation
(grams.mil/100 in2 24 hrs.atm @40°C)

Fuel/Component F Series L Series Nylon HDPE

REF FueIC 0.0009 0.0008 0.015 208

CM 15 0.61 0.46 5.0 168
MTBE 15 0.0007 0.0006 0.012 166
MTBE 100 0.0002 – 0.003 26
Toluene 0.001 – – 301
Iso Octane 0.003 – – 24

Note:
Ref Fuel C - 100% Hydrocarbon
CM 15 - Ref Fuel C + 15% Methanol
MTBE 15 - Ref Fuel C + 15% MTBE

Table 9
Oil Resistance of Various Polymers
Oil Resistance (hours)
Type (JIS Z1515 at room temp.)
®
EVAL F Series §
®
EVAL H Series §
®
EVAL E Series §
LDPE 20
HDPE 40
PVDC ct’d PP 35
Oriented PP 44
Oriented Nylon §

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Fluorocarbons

With the concern about the ozone depleting effects of Chlorinated Fluorocarbons (CFC) and the transition
of foam blowing agents to Hydrogen Fluorocarbons (HCFC), the use of barrier polymers to prevent CFCs
from escaping into the atmosphere and HCFCs from attacking polymers such as HIPS and ABS has
emerged.

As shown in Table 10 and Figure 1, EVAL® resins are excellent choices to provide the needed protection.

Table 10
Fluorocarbon Permeability
(cc.mil/m2 24 hrs.)
HCFC 22 CFC 12 HCFC 134 A
Temp., C 35 50 60 65 70 70 70
32% EVOH – – – – 0.24 – –
44% EVOH ND ND 1.3 4.1 8.0 0.56 ND
Nylon 6 ND – 17.6 192 752 14.4 8.8
Nylon 66 – – – – – 616 27.2
Nylon 6/12 – – – – 2000 – –

ND: None Detected

–: Not Measured

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Agricultural Chemicals

Strict Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations govern the weight loss emissions of agri-chemicals
during shipment. Weight loss may also lead to problems with fair packaging regulations. In addition, the
use of EVAL® resins as an inner layer or in direct product contact will retain chemical odors within their
package. Table 8 provides information concerning EVAL® resins’ barrier properties to several common
agricultural chemicals.

Table 8
Chemical Barrier Properties

Weight Loss (grams)

Product HDPE
®
HDPE/EVAL F Series
30 days 90 days 30 days 90 days
Isotox Insect Killer 0.1 0.6 0 0.01
Triox Vegetation Killer 3.6 13.2 0.01 0.07
Weed-B-Gone Weed Killer 0 0.19 0 0.16
Storage Conditions: 21°C. 65% RH.

Another gauge of chemical resistance is polymer elution, a process that measures the amount of residue
remaining after immersion in a chemical or solvent. Table 11 compares the elution rate of EVAL® resins
to another commonly used agricultural chemical barrier, Nylon 6.

Table 11
Polymer Elution
Solvent Elution Level, ppm
F Series EVOH Nylon 6
Xylene 5 27

o-Dichlorobenzene 10 164

30ºC, 10 day Immersion

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Environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) is an important property for agricultural chemical
packaging. Table 12 shows the superior ESCR properties of EVAL® resins.

Table 12
Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR)

Nonylphenyl Polyoxyethylene Ethanol

Sample T50
Concentration, wt. %
30 No crack observed
100 No crack observed

E Series EVOH 40°C

All information contained herein is presented in good faith and without warranty. EVAL Company of
America accepts no liability for damage or loss resulting from the use or misuse of this information.

REV. 07-00

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