Vinyl Acetate Monomer CAS 108-05-4
Chelora Chemicals supplies inhibitor-stabilised vinyl acetate monomer to adhesive, EVA, polyvinyl alcohol and paint producers worldwide. Because VAM polymerises on warm storage, every consignment leaves with a batch-specific COA including inhibitor, acidity and aldehyde data, the current SDS and full dangerous-goods documentation.
Also known as: VAM · Vinyl acetate · Acetic acid ethenyl ester · 1-Acetoxyethylene · VA
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Price, lead time and a sample COA for Vinyl Acetate Monomer, usually within one working day. We ship worldwide.
Request a Quote Email the DeskDocumentation
- Batch-specific COA (purity, inhibitor, acidity, aldehydes)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Transport and dangerous-goods documents
- Third-party inspection on request
- Certificate of origin
What is Vinyl Acetate Monomer?
Vinyl acetate monomer is the vinyl ester of acetic acid, C₄H₆O₂, a clear flammable liquid boiling at 72.7 °C with a sweet, fruity odour that turns sharp at higher concentration.
It is made by reacting ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen over a supported palladium-gold catalyst. The reaction is clean and selective, which is why this route dominates worldwide.
Polyvinyl acetate emulsions for adhesives and paints are the largest outlet, followed by polyvinyl alcohol, EVA copolymers for packaging film and solar encapsulant, and ethylene-vinyl acetate for hot-melt adhesives.
VAM polymerises readily, which is the point commercially and the hazard in storage. Hydroquinone inhibitor and cool storage are both required.
Why Vinyl Acetate Monomer specifically
- A reactive vinyl ester. Polymerises by free radical initiation in emulsion, solution or bulk.
- Hydrolysable to polyvinyl alcohol. PVAc can be saponified to PVOH, which no other common monomer route provides.
- A versatile comonomer. Copolymerises with ethylene, acrylics and vinyl chloride to tune flexibility and adhesion.
- Water-based chemistry. Emulsion polymerisation gives low-VOC adhesives and paints.
How Vinyl Acetate Monomer is Manufactured
VAM is made by vapour-phase acetoxylation of ethylene over a palladium-gold catalyst.
- Feed preparation. Ethylene, acetic acid vapour and oxygen are combined with recycle gas.
- Acetoxylation. The mixture passes over a supported palladium-gold catalyst with potassium acetate promoter at about 150 to 180 °C.
- Quench and absorption. Reactor effluent is quenched and VAM absorbed into acetic acid.
- CO₂ removal. Carbon dioxide from combustion side reactions is scrubbed from the recycle gas.
- Distillation. VAM is separated from acetic acid, water and heavies in a distillation train operated at low temperature to avoid polymerisation.
- Inhibition. Hydroquinone is dosed to the finished monomer, typically 3 to 20 ppm depending on storage time.
Typical Commercial Specification
Figures below are representative of commercial vinyl acetate monomer. Tell us your polymerisation route and we will advise on the inhibitor level you should specify.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, free of suspended matter |
| VAM purity | 99.9% min by weight |
| Inhibitor (hydroquinone) | 3 – 20 ppm, to customer requirement |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | To grade, typically 50 ppm max |
| Acetaldehyde | To grade, typically 100 ppm max |
| Water | To grade, typically 400 ppm max |
| Methyl acetate and ethyl acetate | To grade, typically 200 ppm max |
| Polymer content | To grade, typically 10 ppm max |
| Colour (Pt-Co) | 10 max |
| Non-volatile residue | To grade, typically 50 ppm max |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | C₄H₆O₂ (CH₃COOCH=CH₂) |
| Molecular weight | 86.09 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colourless liquid, sweet fruity odour |
| Boiling point | 72.7 °C |
| Melting point | −93 °C |
| Flash point | About −8 °C (closed cup) |
| Density | 0.932 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Vapour pressure | About 12 kPa at 20 °C |
| Vapour density (relative to air) | 3.0, heavier than air |
| Flammable limits in air | About 2.6 to 13.4% by volume |
| Autoignition temperature | About 402 °C |
| Solubility in water | About 20 g/L at 20 °C |
| Incompatibilities | Oxidisers, peroxides, acids, bases, amines, aluminium |
Behaviour in the process
VAM's polymerisation behaviour drives nearly every storage rule:
- Self-polymerises. Rate rises sharply with temperature and with peroxide or light exposure; the reaction is exothermic.
- Inhibitor needs oxygen. Hydroquinone requires dissolved oxygen to function, so air headspace rather than a full nitrogen blanket is normal.
- Hydrolyses with water and acid. Produces acetic acid and acetaldehyde, raising acidity and affecting polymerisation.
- Peroxide formation. Prolonged air exposure can form peroxides that initiate polymerisation.
VAM Grades and Related Monomers
VAM is sold to a single commercial specification with the inhibitor level adjusted to the supply chain.
| Material | Origin / type | When it is the right choice |
|---|---|---|
| Standard VAM | 99.9%+, 3–20 ppm hydroquinone | Emulsion polymers, adhesives, paints and EVA |
| Low-inhibitor VAM | 3 to 5 ppm hydroquinone | Short supply chains and sensitive polymerisation routes |
| High-inhibitor VAM | 15 to 20 ppm or more | Long sea voyages and warm-climate storage |
| Vinyl chloride monomer | CAS 75-01-4 | A different vinyl monomer; copolymerised with VAM rather than replacing it |
| Acrylic monomers | Butyl acrylate and others | Alternative emulsion chemistry with different water resistance |
Stated plainly: VAM and acrylic emulsions compete in adhesives and paints on water resistance and cost, and most formulators use both. Within VAM itself, the real decision is inhibitor level matched to transit and storage time.
Industries We Supply Vinyl Acetate Monomer To
VAM reaches adhesives, coatings, packaging, textiles and increasingly solar energy.
Where Vinyl Acetate Monomer is Used
Polyvinyl acetate emulsions take the largest share, followed by polyvinyl alcohol and EVA copolymers.
In emulsion polymerisation
VAM is polymerised in water with a protective colloid or surfactant and a persulphate initiator, giving the PVAc emulsions used in wood glue and paint. Acidity and acetaldehyde in the monomer affect particle formation and odour in the finished emulsion, which is why both are specified.
In EVA and solar encapsulant
Copolymerisation with ethylene at varying vinyl acetate content gives everything from flexible packaging film to the high-VA encapsulant used in photovoltaic modules. Solar grade EVA demands particularly low impurity levels because the film must stay optically clear for decades under UV exposure.
Need a specific grade, purity and packing format?
Tell us the grade, your inhibitor requirement and the acidity limit your polymerisation needs, the packing format you can receive and the annual quantity. We will come back with a price, a lead time, a sample COA and the full documentation set.
Quality Control & Testing
Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with inhibitor and polymer content reported alongside purity because both are safety and performance critical.
- VAM purity — by gas chromatography, the primary grade measure.
- Hydroquinone inhibitor level — confirming the stability margin for your storage time.
- Acidity and acetaldehyde — measured because hydrolysis products affect emulsion quality and odour.
- Water content — reported because water drives hydrolysis in storage.
- Polymer content — tested because it indicates whether polymerisation has begun.
- Colour and non-volatile residue — confirming freedom from contamination.
Common Process Problems & Likely Causes
When VAM causes trouble, it is usually inhibitor depletion, temperature, acidity or water. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Polymer or gel in the tank | Inhibitor depleted or warm storage | Hydroquinone level and tank temperature history |
| Tank temperature rising without heating | Self-polymerisation exotherm starting | Immediate cooling and emergency procedure; then inhibitor level |
| Emulsion particle size off target | Acidity or acetaldehyde affecting initiation | Acidity and acetaldehyde figures on the COA |
| Odour in the finished adhesive | Acetaldehyde or hydrolysis products | Acetaldehyde and acidity results |
| Slow initiation in polymerisation | Inhibitor level higher than the recipe allows | Hydroquinone figure against your initiator package |
| Acidity rising in storage | Water in the system causing hydrolysis | Water content and tank moisture control |
Packaging, Storage & Shipping
- Standard packing. 200 L drums, IBCs, ISO tank containers and road tankers.
- Temperature control. Store below 25 °C, ideally cooler. Polymerisation rate rises sharply with temperature.
- Oxygen, not nitrogen. Hydroquinone requires dissolved oxygen to work. Air headspace is standard; a full nitrogen blanket disables the inhibitor.
- Storage. Shaded, earthed and bunded flammable-liquid tankage with temperature monitoring and high-temperature alarms.
- Material compatibility. Stainless steel preferred; avoid aluminium and copper alloys.
- Stock rotation. First in, first out. Inhibitor depletes over time and shelf life is finite.
- Shelf life. Typically three to six months depending on inhibitor level and temperature. Re-test inhibitor and polymer content.
- Transport classification. UN 1301, vinyl acetate stabilised, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group II.
Hazards & Safe Handling
VAM is a highly flammable liquid that polymerises exothermically and is classified as a possible carcinogen. Temperature control and ignition control are both essential.
- Polymerisation runaway. Self-polymerisation is exothermic and accelerates with temperature. Maintain inhibitor, control temperature and provide emergency cooling and relief.
- Flammability. Flash point about −8 °C with a flammable range of roughly 2.6 to 13.4%. Control ignition sources and bond transfer equipment.
- Health classification. Classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans; a respiratory irritant with narcotic effects at high concentration.
- Occupational exposure. Typical limits are around 10 ppm as an 8-hour average; confirm the limit in your jurisdiction.
- Odour warning. Detectable at low concentration, which gives useful early warning of a leak.
- PPE. Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, flame-resistant clothing and respiratory protection for any breach of containment.
- Environment. Harmful to aquatic life; prevent entry to drains and watercourses.
Regulatory & Compliance Notes
VAM is regulated as a flammable, polymerising liquid with health classifications under review in several jurisdictions. The notes below are orientation rather than legal advice.
- GHS classification. Flammable liquid Category 2, STOT SE Category 3 for respiratory irritation, with carcinogen Category 2 in some jurisdictions.
- Dangerous goods transport. UN 1301, vinyl acetate stabilised, Class 3, PG II. Stabilisation is a transport requirement.
- Food contact. PVAc and EVA used in food packaging require residual monomer compliance documentation.
- REACH and inventories. Registered under EU REACH and listed on the major chemical inventories.
- Occupational exposure regulation. Exposure limits and monitoring requirements differ by jurisdiction and have tightened in several.
- Quality agreements. Emulsion polymer producers commonly expect documented inhibitor, acidity and aldehyde limits with change control.
We Supply Vinyl Acetate Monomer Worldwide
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship Vinyl Acetate Monomer from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation, transport paperwork and freight so the material arrives ready to use.
- Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
- Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged where routing and cargo rules allow.
- Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA, SDS and the transport declaration issued as a complete set.
- Flexible volumes. From a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
- Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.
Buying Vinyl Acetate Monomer from Chelora
We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For VAM that means settling three things at enquiry: the inhibitor level matched to your transit and storage time, the acidity and aldehyde limits your polymerisation tolerates, and the temperature-controlled route into your tankage.
- Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA (purity, inhibitor, acidity, aldehydes), plus SDS and the full transport paperwork.
- Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can qualify the material.
- Quantities. From a pallet of drums through to full bulk shipments on contract supply.
- Grade matching. Standard, low or high inhibitor VAM matched to your transit time, storage temperature and polymerisation recipe.
- Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
- Related products. Acetic Acid, Ethylene, Acrylic Acid and other feedstocks alongside Vinyl Acetate Monomer from one supplier.
How ordering works
- Send the enquiry. Product, grade or purity, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
- We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
- Qualify the supply. For first orders or critical applications, we share the analysis and handling documentation so your technical and safety teams can sign off before you commit.
- Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
- Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
- Ship and document. Filled, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.
Vinyl Acetate Monomer — Common Questions
The questions our technical desk is asked most often about Vinyl Acetate Monomer. If yours isn't here, call or email and you will reach someone who knows the chemistry.
What is the CAS number of vinyl acetate monomer?
The CAS number for VAM is 108-05-4, and its EC number is 203-545-4. Its molecular formula is C₄H₆O₂ with a molecular weight of 86.09 g/mol, and it is classified under HS code 2915.32.
What is VAM used for?
Mainly for polyvinyl acetate emulsions used in wood adhesives, packaging glue and emulsion paints. It also goes to polyvinyl alcohol, EVA copolymers for film and hot-melt adhesives, solar encapsulant film and polyvinyl butyral for laminated glass.
Do you supply VAM worldwide?
Yes. Chelora Chemicals supplies and exports vinyl acetate monomer worldwide — across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, as well as throughout India. Every consignment carries the COA with inhibitor data, the SDS and the dangerous-goods documentation.
Why does VAM need an inhibitor?
Because it self-polymerises exothermically, faster as temperature rises. Hydroquinone at 3 to 20 ppm scavenges the radicals that start the reaction, and the level should be matched to how long the monomer will be stored.
Why must VAM have oxygen present?
Hydroquinone only functions as an inhibitor when dissolved oxygen is available. A full nitrogen blanket disables it, which is why VAM, like styrene, is stored with air headspace rather than fully blanketed.
How is VAM manufactured?
By vapour-phase acetoxylation: ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen react over a supported palladium-gold catalyst with a potassium acetate promoter, then the monomer is absorbed, distilled and inhibited.
Is VAM hazardous?
Yes. It is a highly flammable liquid with a flash point around −8 °C, polymerises exothermically, is a respiratory irritant and is classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
What are the UN number and transport class?
UN 1301, vinyl acetate stabilised, Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group II. Stabilisation is required for carriage, not optional.
How should VAM be stored?
Below 25 °C in shaded, earthed and bunded tankage with temperature monitoring and alarms, with air headspace so the inhibitor works, in stainless steel, away from oxidisers and peroxides.
What is the typical shelf life?
Three to six months depending on inhibitor level and storage temperature. Re-test hydroquinone and polymer content on stored material rather than assuming.
Why does iodide matter in the acetic acid used to make VAM?
Because iodide from the methanol carbonylation catalyst poisons the palladium-gold catalyst in the VAM reactor. It is specified in parts per billion in the acetic acid feed for that reason.
What packing sizes and order quantities are available?
200 L drums, IBCs, ISO tank containers and road tankers. Orders run from a pallet of drums up to repeat bulk cargoes on contract supply.
Ready to source Vinyl Acetate Monomer?
Send us your specification, grade and annual volume. You will get a price, a realistic lead time and a sample COA from someone who understands what the material has to do in your process — delivered anywhere in the world.