🧩 EBA – Ethylene Butyl Acrylate
(Soft, flexible, and weldable material with excellent adhesion and shock resistance, used in gaskets, caps, protections, and elastic automotive components.)
🔹 What is EBA
EBA (Ethylene Butyl Acrylate) is a thermoplastic copolymer formed from ethylene (PE) and butyl acrylate (BA).
It is similar to EMA but with a higher flexible acrylate content, which gives it superior elasticity, better adhesion, and a rubber-like behavior. EBA is valued for its shock absorption, cold resistance, and UV stability, being used in flexible automotive parts and technical insulation.
🔧 Composition
- Ethylene (PE) – 60–75 %
- Butyl Acrylate (BA) – 15–35 %
- Additives – UV stabilizers, antioxidants, anti-static agents.
- Density: 0.93–0.96 g/cm³
- Melting Point: ≈ 85–105 °C.
- Elongation at break: up to 600 %.
🚗 Where EBA is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Gaskets & Caps | Seals, sleeves, corners | Elastic, watertight, good in cold |
| Protections & Guards | Pads, flexible caps | UV and impact resistance |
| Engine Compartment | Insulation, clamps, boots | Stable under vibration |
| Interior / Comfort | Soft panels, dampers | Soft and pleasant touch |
🔧 Welding Temperature and Methods
| Method | Optimal Temperature | Observations |
| Hot Air | 230 – 250 °C | Rapid melting, clean weld |
| Heat Plate (Mirror) | 220 – 240 °C | Ideal for flat joints |
| Manual Extrusion | 210 – 230 °C | Recommended for thicker parts |
🔩 What to Weld EBA With (Material Compatibility)
As a soft polyolefin, EBA welds very well with PE, EVA, EMA, and TPO materials.
✅ Compatible:
- EBA ↔ EBA – ideal combination.
- EBA ↔ EMA / EVA / PE-LD – very good compatibility.
- EBA ↔ TPO / POE – good compatibility.
❌ Incompatible:
- ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PVC – different polarity, incompatible melting.
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation:
Use EBA, EMA, or EVA rods at a temperature of 240–250 °C. Heat slowly until uniform melting and apply constant pressure. For large parts, work in successive passes to avoid deformation.
🏭 Manufacturers and Trade Names
- Arkema: Lotryl® EBA
- ExxonMobil: Optema™ EBA
- Dow: Elvaloy™ EBA
- SABIC: EBA Copolymer
- Borealis: Daplen® EBA
🧠 How to Identify EBA
- Engraved marking: >EBA<, >PE-BA<, >ETHYLENE-BA<.
- Soft, rubbery surface, slightly glossy.
- Yellow-blue flame, faint sweet (acrylic) smell.
- Softens completely at ≈ 240 °C, without bubbles or black smoke.
- Very high elasticity, does not crack in the cold.
🛠️ EBA Welding at ReplastMD:
At our service center in Chisinau (Ciocana sector), ReplastMD performs professional EBA welding for:
- gaskets, caps, corners, and flexible automotive guards;
- OEM flexible repairs and sealing;
- aesthetic and functional restorations without stiffening.