Abstract
Waxes are critical to hot melt adhesives performance in terms of thermal stability and mechanical properties. The thermal behavior of EVA with microcrystalline and polyethylene waxes have been investigated by infrared spectroscopy and physical-mechanical testing. Infrared spectroscopy was used to follow the ratio evolution of band intensities E730/E720 with type and content of EVA –wax blends. The tensile properties have been measured at two EVA/wax ratios: initially and after exposure at 175 and 200oC. A significant correlation was found among tensile strength at break / elongation and type and ratio of EVA / wax ratio. Semiquantitative spectral information and evolution of physical – mechanical properties have been used to improve the behavior of EVA hot melt adhesives at work temperature. Keywords: wax, elastomers EVA, thermodegradation, cristallinity