EEA FOAM
Grade
FOAM = crosslinkable foam grade
Select for soft, fine-cell crosslinked foam sheet used in shoe midsoles, gaskets and cushioning where EVA is too stiff.
Values for the FOAM condition
Other EEA grades and fills
EEA is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at EEA.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FOAMThis page Crosslinkable foam grade | Select for soft, fine-cell crosslinked foam sheet used in shoe midsoles, gaskets and cushioning where EVA is too stiff. | — | 2 | 200 | 10 Shore D |
High melt-index grade | Pick as a color/flame-retardant masterbatch carrier, hot-melt adhesive base or for high filler loading and fast injection moulding. | 4 | 8 | 600 | 30 Shore D |
Low melt-index extrusion grade | Use for blown/cast film, tubing, jacketing and profile extrusion where melt strength and toughness matter. | 6 | 15 | 780 | 34 Shore D |
High-EA grade | Choose for maximum softness, polarity, filler acceptance and adhesion — e.g. highly filled cable compounds and hot-melt adhesives. | — | 8 | 800 | 22 Shore D |
Low-EA grade | Pick when more stiffness, higher melting point and better heat resistance are needed while keeping LDPE-like processing. | 9 | 16 | 600 | 43 Shore D |
Halogen-free FR compound | Use for low-smoke zero-halogen cable jackets and sheathing needing UL 94 V-0 and high LOI; stiffness rises and elongation drops sharply. | 9 | 11 | 160 | 48 Shore D |
What is EEA FOAM?
EEA FOAM is EEA in the FOAM grade — select for soft, fine-cell crosslinked foam sheet used in shoe midsoles, gaskets and cushioning where EVA is too stiff. EEA FOAM has a yield strength of 5 MPa (0.725 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.218 ksi) — weaker than 95% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 200% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (5.8×10⁻⁴ Msi). EEA FOAM has a density of 0.15 g/cm³ (0.0054 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.15 g/cm³ (0.0054 lb/in³), better than 86% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.05%, better than 84% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 200%, better than 76% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 5 MPa (0.725 ksi), worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0 GPa (5.8×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.05 W/m·K (0.0289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 84% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades
EEA FOAM properties
Typical room-temperature values for EEA FOAM; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EEA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
EEA FOAM has a density of 0.15 g/cm³ (0.0054 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F).
Mechanical9
EEA FOAM has a yield strength of 5 MPa (0.725 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.218 ksi) — weaker than 95% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 200% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (5.8×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal10
EEA FOAM is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 0.05 W/m·K (0.0289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 84% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
EEA FOAM is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EEA FOAM takes about 84 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
EEA FOAM's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EEA FOAM
Is EEA easy to machine?
Effectively unmachinable — too soft and gummy; use die-cutting, water-jet or cryogenic grinding instead of turning/milling.
Can EEA be welded?
Excellent hot-plate, impulse, hot-air and extrusion welding; also heat-seals to LDPE, EVA and itself at low sealing temperatures.
Can EEA be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes and injection moulds like LDPE at 150–230 °C melt (never above ~250 °C, where ester groups degrade); needs low mould temperature and generous shrinkage allowance (1–2.5 %).
What surface finishes work on EEA?
Low surface energy — corona or flame treat before printing/painting; the polar EA groups still give better ink and adhesive bonding than plain PE.
EEA chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| ethyl acrylate (EA comonomer)random comonomer; higher EA = softer, lower Tm/Vicat | 8 – 30 | 18 |
| antioxidant / process stabilizertypical additive package | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| ethylenehigh-pressure free-radical copolymerization, LDPE-like backbone | balance | — |
EEA FOAM — frequently asked
What is EEA FOAM used for?
EEA FOAM is typically used for wire and cable jacketing, hot melt adhesive formulations, impact modifier for polyolefins, flexible tubing and film and asphalt/bitumen modifier. In short: flexible polar polyolefin; tough at low temperature; adhesion-grade PE modifier.
What is the yield strength of EEA FOAM?
EEA FOAM has a typical yield strength of 5 MPa (0.725 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.218 ksi) — weaker than 95% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is EEA FOAM easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades). Effectively unmachinable — too soft and gummy; use die-cutting, water-jet or cryogenic grinding instead of turning/milling.
Can EEA FOAM be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Excellent hot-plate, impulse, hot-air and extrusion welding; also heat-seals to LDPE, EVA and itself at low sealing temperatures.
What surface finishes work on EEA FOAM?
Low surface energy — corona or flame treat before printing/painting; the polar EA groups still give better ink and adhesive bonding than plain PE.
Can EEA FOAM be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes and injection moulds like LDPE at 150–230 °C melt (never above ~250 °C, where ester groups degrade); needs low mould temperature and generous shrinkage allowance (1–2.5 %).
What is the maximum service temperature of EEA FOAM?
EEA FOAM is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Elvaloy AC ethylene acrylate copolymer resins — product and processing data — DuPont / Dow (2020)
- Ethylene acrylate copolymer resin grade slate — ExxonMobil Chemical (2021)
- Engineering Plastics — Ethylene Copolymers — ASM International (Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2) (1988)
- ASTM D1238 / D638 / D1525 / D2240 test methods — ASTM International (2022)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector polyolefin copolymer datasets — CAMPUS Plastics / UL (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.