EPDM Foam vs EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade)
Polymer · grade comparison
EPDM Foam and EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) are both polymer grades. EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 2 MPa (0.29 ksi) against 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi) for EPDM Foam, about 3.6 times as much. EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) is the more ductile: elongation 250% versus 160% for EPDM Foam. EPDM Foam is lighter (0.1 g/cm³ vs 0.18 g/cm³ for EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade)) and EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) is stiffer (0.01 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) welds better (good vs poor) and EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than EPDM Foam (premium, $$$).
EPDM FoamChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
EPDM Foam vs EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade): propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
EPDM FoamEVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade)
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Compressive Modulus
Hardness, Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 200 µm/m·K111 µin/in·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Machinability 85 / 100 · Formability (cold) 90 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | EPDM Foam | EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
EPDM Foam vs EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) — frequently asked
Is EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) stronger than EPDM Foam?
Yes. EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) has a typical tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.29 ksi) against 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi) for EPDM Foam — about 3.6 times as much.
Which is cheaper, EPDM Foam or EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade)?
EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while EPDM Foam is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, EPDM Foam or EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade)?
EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade). Its weldability rates good (60/100) against poor (20/100) for EPDM Foam.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in EPDM Foam and EVA Foam Sheet (Footwear Grade) side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.