EVA Foam vs PU Foam
Polymer · grade comparison
EVA Foam and PU Foam are both polymer grades. EVA Foam is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) against 0.13 MPa (0.0189 ksi) for PU Foam, about 7.7 times as much. EVA Foam is the more ductile: elongation 200% versus 150% for PU Foam. PU Foam is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.06 g/cm³ for EVA Foam) and EVA Foam is stiffer (0.01 GPa vs 2×10⁻⁴ GPa). On the shop floor, EVA Foam welds better (very good vs poor) and PU Foam sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than EVA Foam (standard, $$).
EVA FoamChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PU FoamChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
EVA Foam vs PU Foam: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface 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.
Machinability
Weldability
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: 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)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: 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 | EVA Foam | PU Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Closed Cell | Open Cell |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both are offered for Injection molding. Both take the same 5 finishes: Chrome Plating (Plastic), EMI Shielding Coating, Soft Touch Coating, Spray Painting, UV Coating.
EVA Foam vs PU Foam — frequently asked
Is EVA Foam stronger than PU Foam?
Yes. EVA Foam has a typical tensile strength of 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) against 0.13 MPa (0.0189 ksi) for PU Foam — about 7.7 times as much.
Which is cheaper, EVA Foam or PU Foam?
PU Foam is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while EVA Foam is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, EVA Foam or PU Foam?
PU Foam, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 90/100 against 85/100 for EVA Foam; for welding the order is EVA Foam first (very good, 70/100) then PU Foam (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in EVA Foam and PU Foam 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.