Vistamaxx™ 3980FL
Vistamaxx™ 3980FL is primarily composed of isotactic polypropylene repeat units and randomly distributed ethylene. “FL” indicates that this product has passed ExxonMobil’s gel film appearance test, meeting the requirements for high-performance film applications (“Grade A”).
| Property | Typical Value | Unit | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical | |||
| Density | 0.879 | g/cm³ | ExxonMobil Method |
| Melt Flow Index (190°C / 2.16 kg) | 3.6 | g/10 min | ExxonMobil Method |
| Thermal | |||
| Vicat Softening Temperature | 171 | °F | ExxonMobil Method |
| Tensile Yield Strength | 1100 | PSI | ExxonMobil Method |
Where Vistamaxx™ 3980FL fits
Vistamaxx™ 3980FL is a propylene-based elastomer: mostly isotactic propylene with randomly distributed ethylene, made with metallocene catalyst. Its propylene sequences co-crystallize with polypropylene, so it blends into PP and adds softness, toughness, clarity and sealability without the coarse phase separation of an ethylene-based elastomer. With a density of 0.879 g/cm³, a melt index of 3.6 g/10 min (190 °C/2.16 kg) and a Vicat softening point of about 77 °C, it belongs to the 3000 series, which keeps more propylene crystallinity, so it suits film, sealing layers and PP modification where some stiffness and heat resistance must remain. Typical uses:
- Sealant and skin layers in PP film that must keep some stiffness
- PP film modification where heat resistance matters
- Film applications that need a gel-tested (FL) grade
Typical use levels
- As a PP film or sheet modifier: 5–25%, depending on the softness and seal temperature you need
- In compounds and TPO: 10–40%, depending on the target flexibility and impact
- As a seal layer or elastic film: up to 100% in that layer
These are starting points. Confirm the level on your own line, checking seal initiation temperature, haze, stiffness and low-temperature impact as relevant.
Vistamaxx grades compared
How Vistamaxx™ 3980FL compares with the other Vistamaxx grades we supply:
| Grade | Density (g/cm³) | MI 190 °C/2.16 kg (g/10 min) | Vicat (°C) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vistamaxx™ 3000 | 0.873 | 3.7 | 65 | Film and sheet, seal layers, adhesion to PP and PE |
| Vistamaxx™ 3020FL | 0.874 | 1.2 | 67 | Blown film, polymer modification, thermoforming |
| Vistamaxx™ 3980FL | 0.879 | 3.6 | 77 | Film grade with the highest stiffness and heat resistance of the group |
| Vistamaxx™ 6102 | 0.862 | 1.4 | 54 | Most elastic; flexible, clear and impact-modified compounds |
| Vistamaxx™ 6202 | 0.862 | 9.1 | 45 | Higher flow; filled compounds needing good filler dispersion |
Vistamaxx or POE?
Both are metallocene elastomers, but they suit different matrices:
- In PP, Vistamaxx blends in more intimately, so it gives better clarity, sealing and adhesion. Use it when you want a softer, clearer PP film or part.
- For low-temperature impact, an ethylene-octene POE is usually stronger, because its glass transition temperature is lower.
- In PE, an ethylene-based POE is the more compatible choice.
Compare the full ExxonMobil Exact and Vistamaxx range. For glass-fiber or filled PP that also needs adhesion to the filler, see our guide to compatibilizers for PP.
TDS, documents and samples
The full TDS for Vistamaxx™ 3980FL is sent by email with the quotation; every shipment comes with a COA, and an SDS and the producer’s REACH and RoHS declarations are available on request. Samples are available for qualification trials. Request the TDS and a quote.
