EVA Foam vs TPE
Polymer · grade comparison
EVA Foam and TPE are both polymer grades. TPE is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 8 MPa (1.09 ksi) against 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) for EVA Foam, about 7.5 times as much. TPE is the more ductile: elongation 480% versus 200% for EVA Foam. EVA Foam is lighter (0.06 g/cm³ vs 0.96 g/cm³ for TPE) and TPE is stiffer (0.01 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, EVA Foam machines more easily (excellent vs poor).
EVA FoamChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
TPEChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
EVA Foam vs TPE: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Flexural Modulus
Hardness, Shore D
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)
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
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)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | TPE |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Closed Cell | Shore A 30 to Shore A 90 |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| 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 TPE — frequently asked
Is TPE stronger than EVA Foam?
Yes. TPE has a typical tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.09 ksi) against 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) for EVA Foam — about 7.5 times as much.
Which is cheaper, EVA Foam or TPE?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, EVA Foam or TPE?
EVA Foam. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against poor (25/100) for TPE; for welding the order is EVA Foam first (very good, 70/100) then TPE (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in EVA Foam and TPE 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.