EMA FR-ATH
Flame-retardant grade
FR-ATH = halogen-free flame-retardant EMA compound
EMA-based LSZH cable jacket/insulation compound where 55–65 % mineral loading and V-0 behaviour are required.
Values for the FR-ATH condition
Other EMA grades and fills
EMA is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at EMA.
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 |
FR-ATHThis page 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 |
What is EMA FR-ATH?
EMA FR-ATH is EMA in the FR-ATH grade — eMA-based LSZH cable jacket/insulation compound where 55–65 % mineral loading and V-0 behaviour are required. EMA FR-ATH has a tensile strength of 11 MPa (1.6 ksi), weaker than 78% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 160% and the elastic modulus is 0.15 GPa (0.0218 Msi). EMA FR-ATH has a density of 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -35°C (-31 °F). MA20 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; FR-ATH is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.07%, better than 81% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
EMA FR-ATH properties
Typical room-temperature values for EMA FR-ATH; 27 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EMA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
EMA FR-ATH has a density of 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -35°C (-31 °F).
Mechanical9
EMA FR-ATH has a tensile strength of 11 MPa (1.6 ksi), weaker than 78% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 160% and the elastic modulus is 0.15 GPa (0.0218 Msi).
Thermal10
EMA FR-ATH is rated for continuous service to 90°C (194 °F). It conducts heat at 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
EMA FR-ATH is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 28 kV/mm (711.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EMA FR-ATH 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 FR-ATH's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EMA FR-ATH
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.
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.
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 | — |
EMA FR-ATH — frequently asked
What is EMA FR-ATH used for?
EMA FR-ATH 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 FR-ATH?
EMA FR-ATH has a typical tensile strength of 11 MPa (1.6 ksi) — weaker than 78% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is EMA FR-ATH easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% 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 FR-ATH be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). 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 FR-ATH?
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 FR-ATH 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 FR-ATH?
EMA FR-ATH is rated for continuous use to about 90°C (194 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.