EVA Foam
also Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Foam, EVA closed-cell foam
EVA Foam is a closed-cell ethylene-vinyl-acetate foam, crosslinked (XL) or non-crosslinked, stocked in D35 to D200 densities plus FR, ESD, UV-stabilised and FDA grades.
Values for the Closed Cell condition
EVA Foam grades and fills
EVA Foam is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. Closed Cell is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low density (~0.035 g/cm³) soft closed-cell foam | Pick for lightest-weight cushioning, buoyancy and packaging voids where load-bearing is minimal. | 0.6 | 220 | 18 Shore A | |
non-cross-linked (uncured) EVA foam | Cheapest option for one-shot packaging and low-duty padding; accepts heat welding and remelt scrap but takes more permanent set. | 0.8 | 170 | 28 Shore A | |
Anti-static / conductive EVA foam | Pick for electronics trays, PCB and component packaging that must dissipate static charge. | 0.9 | 180 | 32 Shore A | |
Closed CellDefault standard cross-linked closed-cell EVA foam sheet/bun | Default general-purpose skived or molded closed-cell EVA foam for padding, gaskets, midsoles and packaging. | 1 | 200 | 30 Shore A | |
Medium density (~0.060 g/cm³) closed-cell foam | Workhorse density for shoe midsoles, sports padding and general gasketing. | 1 | 210 | 30 Shore A | |
Flame-retardant EVA foam | Use where transit, rail, electronics or building specs require self-extinguishing cellular material. | 1 | 140 | 40 Shore A | |
Chemically cross-linked closed-cell EVA foam | Pick for fine uniform cells, best resilience/compression-set recovery and thermoformability; standard for footwear and technical padding. | 1 | 220 | 35 Shore A | |
High density (~0.10 g/cm³) closed-cell foam | Pick when firmer support, better abrasion life and cleaner CNC/heat-formed edges are needed (cosplay armour, case inserts, outsole wedges). | 2 | 200 | 45 Shore A | |
Very high density (~0.20 g/cm³) firm closed-cell foam | Choose for load-bearing pads, structural cosplay parts, orthotic posting and heavy-duty sealing where deflection must stay small. | 3 | 170 | 18 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways EVA Foam is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FDA | Food-contact / medical-grade EVA foam | Certification |
UV | UV/weather-stabilized EVA foam | Grade option |
What is EVA Foam?
EVA Foam is a closed-cell ethylene-vinyl-acetate foam, crosslinked (XL) or non-crosslinked, stocked in D35 to D200 densities plus FR, ESD, UV-stabilised and FDA grades. It is the low-cost choice for lightweight cushioning, packaging inserts, padding and low-load gaskets, with nominal density 0.06 g/cm3, tensile strength 1 MPa, elongation 200 %, thermal conductivity 0.04 W/m·K and a machinability score of 85. Service temperature is limited to 70 °C and the foam takes a permanent set under sustained load, so use Poron microcellular urethane where recovery and long-term sealing matter. EVA Foam has a density of 0.06 g/cm³ (0.0022 lb/in³), lighter than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -30°C (-22 °F). EVA Foam has a tensile strength of 1 MPa (0.145 ksi), weaker than 86% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 200% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi).
What is EVA Foam used for?
- Shoe midsoles and insoles
- Sports and helmet padding
- Case and tool-tray inserts
- Packaging cushioning
- Low-load dust and splash gaskets
- Thermal insulation layers
- Floor and anti-fatigue mats
- ESD-safe tray liners
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.06 g/cm³ (0.0022 lb/in³), better than 88% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 82% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 200%, better than 76% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 10/100, worse than 98% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 2.5%, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.01 GPa (7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 70°C (158 °F), worse than 77% of polymer grades
EVA Foam properties
Typical room-temperature values for EVA Foam-Closed Cell; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
EVA Foam has a density of 0.06 g/cm³ (0.0022 lb/in³), lighter than 88% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -30°C (-22 °F).
Mechanical10
EVA Foam has a tensile strength of 1 MPa (0.145 ksi), weaker than 86% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 200% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal9
EVA Foam is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 180 µm/m·K (100 µin/in·°F).
Electrical4
EVA Foam has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 82% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EVA Foam takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
EVA Foam's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. EVA Foam is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EVA Foam
Is EVA Foam easy to machine?
Die-cuts, skives, hot-wire and drag-knife cuts cleanly; for CNC use single-flute sharp routers at high feed with vacuum hold-down — dull tools smear and melt the cells.
Can EVA Foam be welded?
Joins by contact/hot-air welding, heat lamination or hot-melt/contact adhesive (chloroprene, PU); surfaces should be scuffed or flame/plasma treated for structural bonds.
Can EVA Foam be formed, bent or molded?
Compression-molded from bun stock or heat-formed at roughly 110–140 °C surface temperature; expect 2–4 % shrinkage after demold and allow for skin formation on molded faces.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to EVA Foam. Every EVA Foam part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | — |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | — – — |
| Recommended draft | — |
| Pre-drying | — |
EVA Foam 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 |
|---|---|---|
| vinyl acetate (comonomer)higher VA = softer, more elastic foam | 15 – 30 | 20 |
| azodicarbonamide (blowing agent)chemical foaming agent, decomposes ~150–170 °C | 1 – 6 | 3 |
| dicumyl peroxide (crosslinker)omitted in non-cross-linked grades | 0.3 – 1.2 | 0.7 |
| ZnO / zinc stearate (activator, kicker) | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
| CaCO3 / talc fillercost/stiffness adjustment | 0 – 15 | 5 |
| pigment, antioxidant, processing aid | 0.5 – 4 | 2 |
| ethylene (comonomer)EVA copolymer backbone | ≥ 70 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on EVA Foam?
Seal the open cells of cut edges with heat, plasti-dip or flexible PU/latex primer before painting; flexible acrylic or PU topcoats only — rigid paints crack on flexing.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Injection Molding Coating
Metallization / Functional
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to EVA Foam in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Ethylene Vinyl Acetate FoamEVA closed-cell foam
How much does EVA Foam cost?
EVA Foam is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
EVA Foam — frequently asked
What is EVA Foam used for?
EVA Foam is typically used for shoe midsoles and insoles, sports and helmet padding, case and tool-tray inserts, packaging cushioning, low-load dust and splash gaskets and thermal insulation layers. In short: lightweight closed-cell EVA.
What is the tensile strength of EVA Foam?
EVA Foam has a typical tensile strength of 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) — weaker than 86% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is EVA Foam easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades). Die-cuts, skives, hot-wire and drag-knife cuts cleanly; for CNC use single-flute sharp routers at high feed with vacuum hold-down — dull tools smear and melt the cells.
Can EVA Foam be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Joins by contact/hot-air welding, heat lamination or hot-melt/contact adhesive (chloroprene, PU); surfaces should be scuffed or flame/plasma treated for structural bonds.
What surface finishes work on EVA Foam?
Seal the open cells of cut edges with heat, plasti-dip or flexible PU/latex primer before painting; flexible acrylic or PU topcoats only — rigid paints crack on flexing.
Can EVA Foam be formed, bent or molded?
Compression-molded from bun stock or heat-formed at roughly 110–140 °C surface temperature; expect 2–4 % shrinkage after demold and allow for skin formation on molded faces.
What is the maximum service temperature of EVA Foam?
EVA Foam is rated for continuous use to about 70°C (158 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does EVA Foam cost?
EVA Foam is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in EVA Foam?
Yes — EVA Foam is available for injection molding; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM D3575 — Flexible Cellular Materials Made from Olefin Polymers — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM D1056 — Flexible Cellular Materials, Sponge or Expanded Rubber — ASTM International (2020)
- UL 94 — Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials (HBF/HF-1 cellular classes) — UL Solutions (2022)
- Alveolit / Alveolux cross-linked polyolefin & EVA foam data — Sekisui Alveo (2023)
- Evazote EVA foam grade data — Zotefoams (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook — Engineering Plastics (cellular plastics section) — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.