Research on the Influence of Molecular Chemical Compositions on Physical Properties of Ethylene‐Vinyl Acetate Copolymer Emulsions

ABSTRACT Ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) emulsions are used in a wide range of industrial applications due to their excellent adhesive properties and environmental compatibility. The properties of EVA latex films or EVA emulsions vary greatly depending on the relative proportions of the non‐polar ethylene and polar vinyl acetate components. However, in industrial applications, the importance of the molecular chemical composition of the EVA in the emulsions is often neglected. In this work, the relationship between molecular structure and properties of three industrially produced EVA emulsions is systematically investigated. The results show that the three EVA emulsions have similar number‐average molecular mass ( M n ), molecular weight distribution ( Đ ), and hydrodynamic diameter ( D h ). Interestingly, we observe significant variations in the content of ethylene (E) and vinyl acetate (VAc). These variations result in significant differences in the thermal and mechanical properties of EVA latex films, as well as in the surface wettability of emulsions on substrates such as paper and stainless steel. This study provides a practical basis for selecting appropriate EVA emulsions in industrial applications.