EVA
A flexible, rubbery ethylene copolymer with vinyl acetate content typically 9-40%, chosen for its softness, clarity, low-temperature flexibility and good adhesion; widely used as a low-cost alternative to rubber and in hot-melt adhesives, foams and film.
Reference datasheet — EVA is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the VA18 condition
EVA grades and fills
EVA is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. VA18 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crosslinked EVA foam | Peroxide-crosslinked, AC-blown closed-cell foam sheet/midsole compound — pick for cushioning, buoyancy and insulation at very low weight. | 2 | 280 | 12 Shore D | |
Hot-melt adhesive base resin | Very high melt-flow EVA blended with tackifier and wax for packaging, bookbinding and woodworking hot-melts; not a structural moulding grade. | 3 | 7 | 700 | 24 Shore D |
High vinyl acetate EVA, ~28–33 % VA | Soft, rubbery, highly transparent and tacky — the grade for hot-melt adhesives, high-filler foam compounds, PV encapsulant base and TPE-like soft parts. | 4 | 15 | 900 | 24 Shore D |
VA18Default General-purpose EVA, ~18 % vinyl acetate, unfilled/natural | Balanced softness, clarity and processability — the default choice for film, injection-moulded soft parts and foam compound base resin. | 7 | 17 | 780 | 32 Shore D |
Mineral (CaCO₃/talc) filled EVA compound | Cost-reduced, stiffer EVA compound for footwear sheet, floor mats and low-cost foam; sacrifices elongation and tear strength. | 7 | 9 | 350 | 39 Shore D |
Low vinyl acetate EVA, ~9–12 % VA | Stiffest, most LDPE-like EVA — use where extra strength, higher softening point and lower tack are needed (heavy-duty film, cable, semi-rigid mouldings). | 8 | 17 | 750 | 42 Shore D |
Very high vinyl acetate EVA, 40 % VA | Nearly amorphous, elastomeric EVA used as a rubber replacement, wax/bitumen modifier and high-loading masterbatch carrier. | 10 | 900 | 18 Shore D | |
Halogen-free flame-retardant EVA compound | Highly ATH-loaded EVA for LSZH cable jackets and FR foam — choose when UL 94 V-0 and low smoke/no halogen are required. | 11 | 160 | 40 Shore D | |
Photovoltaic encapsulant film grade | Ultra-clean, UV-stabilised, silane-coupled crosslinkable EVA for solar module lamination — chosen for >90 % transmission and long-term damp-heat stability. | 15 | 550 | 78 Shore A |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways EVA 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 | Certification |
UV | UV-stabilised EVA | Grade option |
What is EVA?
A flexible, rubbery ethylene copolymer with vinyl acetate content typically 9-40%, chosen for its softness, clarity, low-temperature flexibility and good adhesion; widely used as a low-cost alternative to rubber and in hot-melt adhesives, foams and film. EVA has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.034 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -30°C (-22 °F). EVA has a yield strength of 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) and a tensile strength of 17 MPa (2.47 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 780% and the elastic modulus is 0.05 GPa (0.0073 Msi).
What is EVA used for?
- Shoe sole foam
- Hot melt adhesives
- Flexible packaging film
- Solar panel encapsulant sheet
- Cable insulation/jacketing
- Toys and gaskets
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 780%, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.34 W/m·K (0.196 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 85% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 7 MPa (1.02 ksi), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
EVA properties
Typical room-temperature values for EVA-VA18; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
EVA has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.034 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -30°C (-22 °F).
Mechanical9
EVA has a yield strength of 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) and a tensile strength of 17 MPa (2.47 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 780% and the elastic modulus is 0.05 GPa (0.0073 Msi).
Thermal10
EVA is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 0.34 W/m·K (0.196 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 90% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
EVA is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 30 kV/mm (762 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 56% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EVA takes about 78 MJ of energy and emits 2.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 88% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
EVA's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations5
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 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EVA
Is EVA easy to machine?
Very soft and gummy — use sharp single-flute or hot-wire/die cutting, chill foam sheet or use water-jet; conventional drilling/milling smears unless tools are razor-sharp and feeds high.
Can EVA be welded?
Excellent heat, impulse and ultrasonic sealing; hot-plate and extrusion welding work well with LDPE-compatible rod, but keep melt below ~230 °C to avoid acetic acid evolution.
Can EVA be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould at 150–200 °C melt and 15–45 °C tool with generous gates (low melt strength); blown/cast film at 140–180 °C; foam sheet is compression- or injection-moulded with peroxide + AC blowing agent at 160–180 °C.
EVA 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 (VA)Comonomer content sets stiffness, Tm, clarity and tack; PV and HMA grades 28–33 % | 9 – 40 | 18 |
| antioxidant / process stabiliserPhenolic + phosphite package | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| peroxide crosslinker (foam / PV grades oDCP or TBEC in crosslinked compounds | 0.3 – 1.5 | 0.8 |
| ATH / MDH (FR compound only)Halogen-free flame retardant loading | 50 – 65 | 60 |
| ethyleneBalance of the copolymer backbone | balance |
What surface finishes work on EVA?
Printable and paintable only after corona, flame or plasma treatment; bonds readily with polyolefin-compatible hot-melts and cyanoacrylate primers; cannot be polished — surface finish is taken directly from the mould or embossing roll.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to EVA in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- GB/T 33389
How much does EVA cost?
EVA is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 90% 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 — frequently asked
What is EVA used for?
EVA is typically used for shoe sole foam, hot melt adhesives, flexible packaging film, solar panel encapsulant sheet, cable insulation/jacketing and toys and gaskets. In short: softest polyolefin copolymer; best heat-sealing polyolefin; rubber feel without curing.
What is the yield strength of EVA?
EVA has a typical yield strength of 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) and a tensile strength of 17 MPa (2.47 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is EVA easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades). Very soft and gummy — use sharp single-flute or hot-wire/die cutting, chill foam sheet or use water-jet; conventional drilling/milling smears unless tools are razor-sharp and feeds high.
Can EVA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent heat, impulse and ultrasonic sealing; hot-plate and extrusion welding work well with LDPE-compatible rod, but keep melt below ~230 °C to avoid acetic acid evolution.
What surface finishes work on EVA?
Printable and paintable only after corona, flame or plasma treatment; bonds readily with polyolefin-compatible hot-melts and cyanoacrylate primers; cannot be polished — surface finish is taken directly from the mould or embossing roll.
Can EVA be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould at 150–200 °C melt and 15–45 °C tool with generous gates (low melt strength); blown/cast film at 140–180 °C; foam sheet is compression- or injection-moulded with peroxide + AC blowing agent at 160–180 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of EVA?
EVA is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between EVA VA18 and EVA HMA?
VA18 is the default condition — balanced softness, clarity and processability — the default choice for film, injection-moulded soft parts and foam compound base resin. HMA: very high melt-flow EVA blended with tackifier and wax for packaging, bookbinding and woodworking hot-melts; not a structural moulding grade. Yield strength is 7 MPa in VA18 versus 3 MPa in HMA.
How much does EVA cost?
EVA is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Sources
- Elvax EVA resin grade datasheets — DuPont / Dow (2022)
- Evatane EVA copolymer product range — Arkema (2023)
- ASTM D638 / D2240 / D1238 test methods — ASTM (2022)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector polymer property data (EVA) — CAMPUS / UL (2024)
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.