EMAA ION-Zn
Grade
ISO E/MAA · also Nucrel
ION-Zn = zinc-neutralized ionomer
Pick when higher clarity, abrasion/puncture resistance and oil-resistant sealing are needed (golf-ball covers, tough packaging skins).
Values for the ION-Zn condition
Other EMAA grades and fills
EMAA is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at EMAA.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High melt-flow extrusion-coating / adhesive grade | Use for high-speed extrusion coating of foil and paper, or as hot-melt / powder-coating adhesive base. | 7 | 16 | 300 | 52 Shore D |
High acid content (~11–15% MAA) | Choose for maximum adhesion to aluminium foil, nylon and EVOH, better clarity and low-temperature sealing. | 9 | 33 | 350 | 48 Shore D |
Low acid content | Pick when higher melting point, stiffness and PE-like processing matter more than adhesion strength. | 12 | 25 | 500 | 58 Shore D |
ION-ZnThis page Zinc-neutralized ionomer | Pick when higher clarity, abrasion/puncture resistance and oil-resistant sealing are needed (golf-ball covers, tough packaging skins). | 14 | 34 | 380 | 62 Shore D |
Sodium-neutralized ionomer | Use where highest optical clarity and hot-tack through contamination are wanted; more moisture-sensitive than the Zn type. | 15 | 36 | 350 | 64 Shore D |
What is EMAA ION-Zn?
EMAA ION-Zn is EMAA in the ION-Zn grade — pick when higher clarity, abrasion/puncture resistance and oil-resistant sealing are needed (golf-ball covers, tough packaging skins). EMAA ION-Zn has a yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 380% and the elastic modulus is 0.3 GPa (0.0435 Msi). EMAA ION-Zn has a density of 0.96 g/cm³ (0.0345 lb/in³), lighter than 74% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -20°C (-4 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 380%, better than 85% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 14 MPa (2.03 ksi), worse than 84% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 2%, worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
EMAA ION-Zn properties
Typical room-temperature values for EMAA ION-Zn; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EMAA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
EMAA ION-Zn has a density of 0.96 g/cm³ (0.0345 lb/in³), lighter than 74% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -20°C (-4 °F).
Mechanical8
EMAA ION-Zn has a yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 380% and the elastic modulus is 0.3 GPa (0.0435 Msi).
Thermal10
EMAA ION-Zn 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 180 µm/m·K (100 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
EMAA ION-Zn 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 very good (70/100), worse than 78% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EMAA ION-Zn takes about 82 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 83% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
EMAA ION-Zn's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EMAA ION-Zn
Is EMAA easy to machine?
Rarely machined; if needed use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and cooling air — the resin is soft and smears.
Can EMAA be welded?
Excellent heat sealing, impulse sealing, hot-plate and ultrasonic welding; seals to itself at 90–120 °C and bonds to foil/nylon without adhesive.
Can EMAA be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes and blow/cast-films easily at 180–230 °C (extrusion coating up to ~320 °C); keep melt below ~320 °C to avoid acid-induced degradation, use corrosion-resistant (stainless/Hastelloy) screws and dies, dry pellets 3 h at 50–60 °C for high-acid or ionomer grades.
What surface finishes work on EMAA?
Corona or flame treat only if printing/laminating a non-acid side; no plating or painting needed — the carboxyl groups themselves act as the primer to metals; avoid alkaline cleaners which saponify the surface.
EMAA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| methacrylic acidcarboxyl comonomer providing adhesion; ~30–60 mol% may be neutralized with Zn²⁺/Na⁺ in ionomer variants | 4 – 15 | 9 |
| antioxidant / process stabilizerphenolic/phosphite package | 0 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| ethylenebackbone comonomer | ≥ 85 (balance) | — |
EMAA ION-Zn — frequently asked
What is EMAA ION-Zn used for?
EMAA ION-Zn is typically used for extrusion coating, adhesive tie layers, flexible packaging, ionomer feedstock and golf ball cover blends. In short: bonds directly to foil; base resin for ionomers; very low seal initiation.
What is the yield strength of EMAA ION-Zn?
EMAA ION-Zn has a typical yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 84% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is EMAA ION-Zn easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades). Rarely machined; if needed use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, low feed and cooling air — the resin is soft and smears.
Can EMAA ION-Zn be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent heat sealing, impulse sealing, hot-plate and ultrasonic welding; seals to itself at 90–120 °C and bonds to foil/nylon without adhesive.
What surface finishes work on EMAA ION-Zn?
Corona or flame treat only if printing/laminating a non-acid side; no plating or painting needed — the carboxyl groups themselves act as the primer to metals; avoid alkaline cleaners which saponify the surface.
Can EMAA ION-Zn be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes and blow/cast-films easily at 180–230 °C (extrusion coating up to ~320 °C); keep melt below ~320 °C to avoid acid-induced degradation, use corrosion-resistant (stainless/Hastelloy) screws and dies, dry pellets 3 h at 50–60 °C for high-acid or ionomer grades.
What is the maximum service temperature of EMAA ION-Zn?
EMAA ION-Zn is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F), and briefly to 80°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Nucrel™ ethylene acid copolymer resins — product data — Dow (formerly DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers) (2023)
- Escor™ acid copolymers technical data — ExxonMobil Chemical (2022)
- Surlyn™ ionomer resins property guide — Dow (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- ASTM D1238 — Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM D638 / D882 / D1525 / D2240 — ASTM (2022)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector ethylene acid copolymer entries — CAMPUS, UL Solutions (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.