EEA LMI
Grade
LMI = low melt-index extrusion grade
Use for blown/cast film, tubing, jacketing and profile extrusion where melt strength and toughness matter.
Values for the LMI condition
Other EEA grades and fills
EEA is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at EEA.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crosslinkable foam grade | Select for soft, fine-cell crosslinked foam sheet used in shoe midsoles, gaskets and cushioning where EVA is too stiff. | — | 2 | 200 | 10 Shore D |
High melt-index grade | Pick as a color/flame-retardant masterbatch carrier, hot-melt adhesive base or for high filler loading and fast injection moulding. | 4 | 8 | 600 | 30 Shore D |
LMIThis page Low melt-index extrusion grade | Use for blown/cast film, tubing, jacketing and profile extrusion where melt strength and toughness matter. | 6 | 15 | 780 | 34 Shore D |
High-EA grade | Choose for maximum softness, polarity, filler acceptance and adhesion — e.g. highly filled cable compounds and hot-melt adhesives. | — | 8 | 800 | 22 Shore D |
Low-EA grade | Pick when more stiffness, higher melting point and better heat resistance are needed while keeping LDPE-like processing. | 9 | 16 | 600 | 43 Shore D |
Halogen-free FR compound | Use for low-smoke zero-halogen cable jackets and sheathing needing UL 94 V-0 and high LOI; stiffness rises and elongation drops sharply. | 9 | 11 | 160 | 48 Shore D |
What is EEA LMI?
EEA LMI is EEA in the LMI grade — use for blown/cast film, tubing, jacketing and profile extrusion where melt strength and toughness matter. EEA LMI has a yield strength of 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 780% and the elastic modulus is 0.06 GPa (0.0087 Msi). EEA LMI has a density of 0.93 g/cm³ (0.0336 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 780%, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 96/100, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.05%, better than 84% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 6 MPa (0.87 ksi), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 70°C (158 °F), worse than 77% of polymer grades
EEA LMI properties
Typical room-temperature values for EEA LMI; 27 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EEA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
EEA LMI has a density of 0.93 g/cm³ (0.0336 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F).
Mechanical9
EEA LMI has a yield strength of 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 780% and the elastic modulus is 0.06 GPa (0.0087 Msi).
Thermal10
EEA LMI is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °F). It conducts heat at 0.3 W/m·K (0.173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
EEA LMI is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 74% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EEA LMI takes about 84 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
EEA LMI's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 99% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (96/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EEA LMI
Is EEA easy to machine?
Effectively unmachinable — too soft and gummy; use die-cutting, water-jet or cryogenic grinding instead of turning/milling.
Can EEA be welded?
Excellent hot-plate, impulse, hot-air and extrusion welding; also heat-seals to LDPE, EVA and itself at low sealing temperatures.
Can EEA be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes and injection moulds like LDPE at 150–230 °C melt (never above ~250 °C, where ester groups degrade); needs low mould temperature and generous shrinkage allowance (1–2.5 %).
What surface finishes work on EEA?
Low surface energy — corona or flame treat before printing/painting; the polar EA groups still give better ink and adhesive bonding than plain PE.
EEA chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| ethyl acrylate (EA comonomer)random comonomer; higher EA = softer, lower Tm/Vicat | 8 – 30 | 18 |
| antioxidant / process stabilizertypical additive package | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| ethylenehigh-pressure free-radical copolymerization, LDPE-like backbone | balance | — |
EEA LMI — frequently asked
What is EEA LMI used for?
EEA LMI is typically used for wire and cable jacketing, hot melt adhesive formulations, impact modifier for polyolefins, flexible tubing and film and asphalt/bitumen modifier. In short: flexible polar polyolefin; tough at low temperature; adhesion-grade PE modifier.
What is the yield strength of EEA LMI?
EEA LMI has a typical yield strength of 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is EEA LMI easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 99% of polymer grades). Effectively unmachinable — too soft and gummy; use die-cutting, water-jet or cryogenic grinding instead of turning/milling.
Can EEA LMI be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent hot-plate, impulse, hot-air and extrusion welding; also heat-seals to LDPE, EVA and itself at low sealing temperatures.
What surface finishes work on EEA LMI?
Low surface energy — corona or flame treat before printing/painting; the polar EA groups still give better ink and adhesive bonding than plain PE.
Can EEA LMI be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes and injection moulds like LDPE at 150–230 °C melt (never above ~250 °C, where ester groups degrade); needs low mould temperature and generous shrinkage allowance (1–2.5 %).
What is the maximum service temperature of EEA LMI?
EEA LMI is rated for continuous use to about 70°C (158 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Elvaloy AC ethylene acrylate copolymer resins — product and processing data — DuPont / Dow (2020)
- Ethylene acrylate copolymer resin grade slate — ExxonMobil Chemical (2021)
- Engineering Plastics — Ethylene Copolymers — ASM International (Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2) (1988)
- ASTM D1238 / D638 / D1525 / D2240 test methods — ASTM International (2022)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector polyolefin copolymer datasets — CAMPUS Plastics / UL (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.