Eastman HDPE M3007-P is a high-density polyethylene grade supplied by Eastman Chemical Company within the Tenite HDPE product family. The grade is designed for injection molding applications where a balance of processability, stiffness, and impact resistance is required. Typical published values include a nominal density of 0.953 g/cm³ when tested in accordance with ASTM D1505 and a melt flow rate of 7.0 g/10 min at 190°C and 2.16 kg when tested in accordance with ASTM D1238-20 or ISO 1133-1:2022. The molecular architecture of M3007-P yields a narrow processing window relative to fractional-melt HDPE grades, but it supports higher flow lengths in thin-wall tooling and reduced cycle time. Field operation on 350 to 850 metric tons clamp force injection molding machines with accumulator-assisted injection units has shown consistent fill behavior at barrel temperature settings between 190°C and 240°C, provided the melt residence time is kept below 5 minutes. Published data for the specific heat transfer coefficient during mold cooling is limited; however, mold surface temperature control between 10°C and 40°C is specified in Eastman processing literature.
Material Identity and Classification
The classification of M3007-P according to ASTM D4976 places the grade within the high-density range, with a nominal density of 0.953 g/cm³ measured by ASTM D1505 or ISO 1183-1:2019. The high-density polyethylene classification indicates a predominantly linear backbone with minimal short-chain branching, which promotes crystallinity and imparts a characteristic balance of tensile strength and flexural modulus. The melt flow rate of 7.0 g/10 min at 190°C and 2.16 kg is determined by ASTM D1238-20 or ISO 1133-1:2022, and it distinguishes this grade from both easy-flow injection resins and high-melt-strength blow molding resins. Typical tensile stress at yield of 26 MPa and elongation at yield of 9% are reported under ASTM D638-14 at 50 mm/min using a Type I specimen. The secant flexural modulus is typically 1,100 MPa under ASTM D790-17, and the notched Izod impact value at 23°C is approximately 30 J/m under ASTM D256-10(2018). These values are supplier-documented typical properties and should not be interpreted as product specifications.
| Property | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.953 g/cm³ | ASTM D1505 |
| Melt Flow Rate (190°C/2.16 kg) | 7.0 g/10 min | ASTM D1238-20 |
| Tensile Stress at Yield | 26 MPa | ASTM D638-14 |
| Tensile Elongation at Yield | 9% | ASTM D638-14 |
| Flexural Modulus (1% secant) | 1,100 MPa | ASTM D790-17 |
| Notched Izod Impact, 23°C | 30 J/m | ASTM D256-10(2018) |
| Heat Deflection Temperature, 0.455 MPa | 70°C | ASTM D648 |
| Vicat Softening Temperature | 125°C | ASTM D1525 |
How Does the Melt Index Align with Injection Molding Conditions?
A melt flow rate of 7.0 g/10 min at 190°C and 2.16 kg positions M3007-P in the intermediate-flow segment for injection molding. In production-scale trials on hydraulic and hybrid injection molding machines with clamp forces from 350 to 850 metric tons, the grade has filled thin-wall sidewalls and ribbed bases at barrel settings between 200°C and 240°C. A typical four-zone barrel profile begins at 190°C in the feed zone, rises to 220°C in the compression zone, and reaches 240°C at the nozzle. The recommended screw recovery speed is between 60 and 120 rpm, and the back pressure is typically set from 0.5 to 1.5 MPa to avoid excessive shear heating. Screw geometry with an L/D ratio of 20:1 to 24:1 and a compression ratio of 3:1 is commonly used.
Injection speed should be moderate, in the range of 100 to 200 mm/s, because higher speeds can generate flow marks in thick sections. Shot size should be kept between 30% and 70% of barrel capacity to limit residence time and prevent molecular weight degradation. Mold surface temperature control is specified between 10°C and 40°C; lower mold temperatures reduce cycle time but increase orientation and may lower surface gloss. Hot runner systems with valve gates and gate diameters of 1.0 to 2.0 mm have been used effectively in pail and container tooling. If the grade is processed above 250°C, or if the melt residence time exceeds 5 minutes, the polymer can undergo chain scission, producing a measurable reduction in impact resistance and an increase in melt flow rate. Published data for the specific degradation activation energy of M3007-P is limited.
Because HDPE crystallizes more rapidly than polypropylene, M3007-P solidifies quickly in the mold and can be ejected at higher part temperatures without excessive distortion. The degree of crystallinity and the cooling rate at the mold surface control shrinkage anisotropy; for a 2 mm wall section, the mold shrinkage in the flow direction typically ranges from 1.5% to 2.5%, while the transverse shrinkage may be 2.0% to 3.0% under ISO 294-4. Dimensional stability is therefore dependent on uniform mold temperature and consistent gate freeze time. Gate freeze time for a 1.5 mm diameter cold runner gate is generally less than 3 seconds, but valve-gated hot runner systems can shorten the effective hold time and require a longer packing phase to avoid sink marks. The apparent melt viscosity at 100 s⁻¹ and 220°C is typical of a 7 g/10 min HDPE, but published capillary rheometry data for this specific grade is limited.
The selection of gate type and location has a greater influence on part quality than melt temperature within the recommended range. Direct injection through a sprue into thick-wall parts can create a visible gate blush and should be avoided in favor of a tab gate or a hot runner valve gate. The gate land length should be 0.5 to 1.0 mm for thin-wall containers, and the runner system should be balanced to within 5% of the volumetric flow rate among cavities. Cavity filling analysis using a generic 7 g/10 min HDPE viscosity model indicates that flow length-to-wall-thickness ratios up to 150:1 are achievable at 240°C and 100 MPa injection pressure, although published data for this specific configuration is limited. Mold cores and cavities should be vented to depths of 0.02 to 0.03 mm to prevent gas burn and short shots.
In field operation, the most frequent failure modes associated with M3007-P are flow marks on the surface when injection speed exceeds 200 mm/s, splay caused by moisture when pre-drying is omitted, and warpage when mold temperature exceeds 40°C in unevenly cooled tools. These failure modes are consistent with the crystallization behavior of high-density polyethylene and are not unique to M3007-P; however, they indicate that the processing window requires tighter control than that of higher-melt-index HDPE grades.
In injection molded crates, pails, housewares, and caps, M3007-P is used where the part must combine stiffness with adequate low-temperature toughness. The 0.953 g/cm³ density and 1,100 MPa flexural modulus provide stacking load capacity in thin-wall containers, while the 7.0 g/10 min melt flow rate supports filling of ribs, bosses, and snap-fit details at moderate injection pressures. In 5-gallon pail production on a 650-ton hydraulic injection molding machine with a hot runner system and 2-mm wall sections, cycle times of 12 to 18 seconds have been reported; however, published data for this specific configuration is limited, and tool geometry, gate location, and cooling circuit design exert a controlling influence on cycle time. Pre-drying at 80°C for 2 hours is recommended when storage humidity exceeds 60% relative humidity, because absorbed surface moisture can cause splay on the part surface. M3007-P is not intended for continuous load-bearing applications above 80°C, where creep and loss of modulus become significant. Contact with strong oxidizing acids, chlorinated solvents, or aromatic hydrocarbons can induce environmental stress cracking, and the grade should not be melt-blended with pro-oxidant additives or high levels of unsaturated elastomers unless the formulation has been qualified for end-use performance.
When Part Design Requires a 7.0 g/10 min HDPE with Low-Temperature Impact Retention
When M3007-P is compared with a fractional-melt HDPE blow molding grade, the primary difference is the melt flow rate of 7.0 g/10 min versus 0.35 g/10 min. The higher flow reduces injection fill pressure and permits thinner wall sections, but it also reduces melt strength and makes M3007-P unsuitable for continuous extrusion blow molding of large containers. Compared with a high-flow injection HDPE of 20 g/10 min, M3007-P shows a slightly lower melt flow rate and a higher notched Izod impact value of approximately 30 J/m at 23°C, making it more suitable for crates and cases that experience impact during handling. The density of 0.953 g/cm³ is typical for high-stiffness injection HDPE grades, but the specific comonomer distribution and molecular weight distribution of M3007-P are optimized for a balance of flow and stress crack resistance. In contrast to washed-bottle HDPE grades, M3007-P does not require the same low-shear melt strength and may exhibit lower environmental stress crack resistance than high-molecular-weight HDPE copolymers.
Low-temperature performance is governed by the density and comonomer type. At -20°C, general-purpose HDPE grades show a decrease in notched impact values; published data specific to M3007-P at this temperature is limited, and cold-chain applications should be validated using ISO 179-2 or instrumented falling weight impact tests. The product is not intended for film extrusion, heavy-wall pipe, or other tangential extrusion processes where high melt strength is required.
| Resin Type | Melt Flow Rate (g/10 min, 190°C/2.16 kg) | Nominal Density (g/cm³) | Notched Izod Impact (J/m, 23°C) | Flexural Modulus (MPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3007-P (injection HDPE) | 7.0 | 0.953 | 30 | 1,100 |
| High-flow injection HDPE | 20 | 0.952 | 25 | 1,050 |
| Fractional-melt blow molding HDPE | 0.35 | 0.949 | 35 | 1,000 |
The comparison values in the table are generic reference values for resin classes and should not be interpreted as supplier specifications for specific commercial grades.
Regulatory Status, Handling Boundaries, and Drying Thresholds
Compliance status under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 permits the olefin polymer to be used as a component of food-contact articles under conditions of use A through H, subject to extraction limits. The grade is also suitable for food-contact applications in the European Union under EU Regulation No 10/2011 when the overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm² is satisfied. Under REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, the product is classified as a polymer, and no substance of very high concern is intentionally added above the reporting threshold. The resin is not considered hazardous under the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU for the four heavy metals and two brominated flame retardants.
Because M3007-P is supplied as a natural resin without a UV stabilizer package, outdoor weathering resistance is limited, and parts exposed to ultraviolet radiation require an added UV stabilizer or opaque pigmentation. Pre-drying at 80°C for 2 hours is recommended when the material has been stored in humid conditions above 60% relative humidity. The resin should not be processed at melt temperatures above 250°C or held at processing temperature for more than 5 minutes. Purging is advised after processing polypropylene or PVC, and the hopper should be kept closed to prevent contamination. The grade is not intended for direct implantable medical devices, and any medical use requires ISO 10993 qualification. Published data on the long-term UV aging of unpigmented M3007-P is limited; therefore, outdoor service life must be established by end-use testing under ISO 4892-2 or equivalent.