DuPont markets three types of Elvanol®: fully hydrolyzed, partially hydrolyzed, and copolymers. All are made by alcoholysis of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). The fully hydrolyzed grades contain few, if any, residual acetate groups; while partially hydrolyzed grades retain some of the residual acetate groups. The partially hydrolyzed grades dissolve in water at room temperature; fully hydrolyzed grades dissolve in hot (200 degree F) water, and remain in solution when cooled to room temperature.
The copolymer grades, developed specifically for warp sizing, offer a unique balance of properties that make them the most versatile PVOH grades available to the textiles market.
