EMA
EMA is a flexible ethylene–methyl acrylate copolymer (Optema) with polar character, clarity, low-temperature impact resistance and adhesion to polar substrates.
Reference datasheet — EMA is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the MA20 condition
EMA grades and fills
EMA is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. MA20 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crosslinkable / chemically foamed EMA compound | For soft closed-cell foams (footwear midsole, gaskets, sports mats) where EVA-like feel with better thermal stability is wanted. | 2 | 220 | 9 Shore D | |
High melt flow (MFR 20–500) hot-melt / masterbatch carrier grade | Use where very low melt viscosity is required: hot-melt adhesives, high-loading pigment carriers, wax blends. | 4 | 5 | 550 | 27 Shore D |
Extrusion-coating / tie-layer adhesive resin grade | Select for high-speed extrusion coating and coextrusion bonding to foil, PET, PA, EVOH and paper. | 5 | 8 | 720 | 29 Shore D |
High methyl acrylate (25–35 %), elastomeric soft grade | Pick for maximum softness, tack and polarity — soft-touch films, asphalt/bitumen and rubber-like compounds. | 6 | 900 | 22 Shore D | |
MA20Default Unfilled natural, medium methyl acrylate (18–24 %), MFR ~6 | General-purpose EMA for tie layers, soft films, hot melts and impact modification. | 9 | 750 | 30 Shore D | |
Halogen-free flame-retardant EMA compound | EMA-based LSZH cable jacket/insulation compound where 55–65 % mineral loading and V-0 behaviour are required. | 9 | 11 | 160 | 45 Shore D |
Low methyl acrylate (6–12 %), stiffer film/blend grade | Choose when higher stiffness, higher Vicat and better film handling are needed while keeping polarity. | 13 | 700 | 42 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways EMA is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
MB | Masterbatch / compounding carrier grade | Supply form |
FDA | Food-contact / medical-compliant grade | Certification |
UV | UV/weather-stabilized grade | Grade option |
What is EMA?
EMA is a flexible ethylene–methyl acrylate copolymer (Optema) with polar character, clarity, low-temperature impact resistance and adhesion to polar substrates. It is supplied as pellets for blown and cast film, extrusion coating, hot melt adhesives and as an impact modifier or tie-layer resin, in MA9 to MA28 comonomer levels plus high-MFR, foam, FDA, UV and FR-ATH compounds. Typical values are 0.942 g/cm³ density, 8.5 MPa tensile strength, 750 % elongation and Shore D 30 hardness. Service is limited to about 60 °C and the resin is too soft to machine; EVA is the nearest alternative, but EMA is more thermally stable and gives no acetic acid odor. EMA has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.034 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -35°C (-31 °F). EMA has a tensile strength of 9 MPa (1.23 ksi), weaker than 80% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 750% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0032 Msi).
What is EMA used for?
- Multilayer film tie layers
- Hot melt adhesives
- Impact modifier additive
- Foamable compounds
- Coextruded packaging films
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 750%, better than 99% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.07%, better than 81% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 2%, worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.02 GPa (0.0032 Msi), worse than 75% of polymer grades
EMA properties
Typical room-temperature values for EMA-MA20; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
EMA has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.034 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -35°C (-31 °F).
Mechanical9
EMA has a tensile strength of 9 MPa (1.23 ksi), weaker than 80% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 750% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0032 Msi).
Thermal10
EMA is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 0.25 W/m·K (0.144 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 72% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
EMA is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 28 kV/mm (711.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EMA takes about 82 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 83% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
EMA's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. EMA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EMA
Is EMA easy to machine?
Rarely machined — too soft and gummy; use sharp die-cutting, water-jet or chilled/cryogenic cutting for film and sheet.
Can EMA be welded?
Excellent heat sealing, impulse and hot-plate welding at 100–160 °C; also bonds well by extrusion lamination without primer.
Can EMA be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes as blown/cast film, extrusion coating (up to ~315 °C melt, thermally stable, no acetic acid odor) and injection molds at 150–230 °C with cool molds; feed section cooling helps because pellets are tacky.
EMA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| methyl acrylate (comonomer)MA content defines stiffness, Tm and polarity | 6 – 35 | 21 |
| antioxidant / slip / antiblock additivesgrade-dependent additive package | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| ethylenerandom copolymer, high-pressure autoclave/tubular process | balance |
What surface finishes work on EMA?
Not painted or plated; corona/flame treatment raises surface energy further for printing, and its inherent polarity gives good ink and adhesive anchorage.
How much does EMA cost?
EMA is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
EMA — frequently asked
What is EMA used for?
EMA is typically used for multilayer film tie layers, hot melt adhesives, impact modifier additive, foamable compounds and coextruded packaging films. In short: thermally stable EVA alternative; no acetic-acid odor; high-elongation tie-layer resin.
What is the tensile strength of EMA?
EMA has a typical tensile strength of 9 MPa (1.23 ksi) — weaker than 80% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is EMA easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of polymer grades). Rarely machined — too soft and gummy; use sharp die-cutting, water-jet or chilled/cryogenic cutting for film and sheet.
Can EMA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent heat sealing, impulse and hot-plate welding at 100–160 °C; also bonds well by extrusion lamination without primer.
What surface finishes work on EMA?
Not painted or plated; corona/flame treatment raises surface energy further for printing, and its inherent polarity gives good ink and adhesive anchorage.
Can EMA be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes as blown/cast film, extrusion coating (up to ~315 °C melt, thermally stable, no acetic acid odor) and injection molds at 150–230 °C with cool molds; feed section cooling helps because pellets are tacky.
What is the maximum service temperature of EMA?
EMA is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between EMA MA20 and EMA FR-ATH?
MA20 is the default condition — general-purpose EMA for tie layers, soft films, hot melts and impact modification. FR-ATH: eMA-based LSZH cable jacket/insulation compound where 55–65 % mineral loading and V-0 behaviour are required.
How much does EMA cost?
EMA is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Optema EMA copolymer resins — product data — ExxonMobil Chemical (2022)
- Elvaloy AC ethylene methyl acrylate copolymers — Dow (formerly DuPont) (2021)
- ASTM D1238 — Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM D638 / D882 — Tensile properties of plastics and thin sheeting — ASTM (2022)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector ethylene copolymer datasheets — CWFG / UL (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.