EVA FOAM-XL
Grade
FOAM-XL = crosslinked EVA foam
Peroxide-crosslinked, AC-blown closed-cell foam sheet/midsole compound — pick for cushioning, buoyancy and insulation at very low weight.
Values for the FOAM-XL condition
Other EVA grades and fills
EVA is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at EVA.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FOAM-XLThis page 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 |
What is EVA FOAM-XL?
EVA FOAM-XL is EVA in the FOAM-XL grade — peroxide-crosslinked, AC-blown closed-cell foam sheet/midsole compound — pick for cushioning, buoyancy and insulation at very low weight. EVA FOAM-XL has a yield strength of 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.319 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 280% and the elastic modulus is 0.05 GPa (0.0073 Msi). EVA FOAM-XL has a density of 0.16 g/cm³ (0.0058 lb/in³), lighter than 85% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -30°C (-22 °F). VA18 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; FOAM-XL is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.16 g/cm³ (0.0058 lb/in³), better than 85% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 85% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 280%, better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 7 MPa (1.02 ksi), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.05 W/m·K (0.026 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 70°C (158 °F), worse than 77% of polymer grades
EVA FOAM-XL properties
Typical room-temperature values for EVA FOAM-XL; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EVA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
EVA FOAM-XL has a density of 0.16 g/cm³ (0.0058 lb/in³), lighter than 85% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -30°C (-22 °F).
Mechanical9
EVA FOAM-XL has a yield strength of 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.319 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 280% and the elastic modulus is 0.05 GPa (0.0073 Msi).
Thermal10
EVA FOAM-XL is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °F). It conducts heat at 0.05 W/m·K (0.026 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
EVA FOAM-XL 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 FOAM-XL 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 FOAM-XL's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% 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 EVA FOAM-XL
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.
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.
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 | — |
EVA FOAM-XL — frequently asked
What is EVA FOAM-XL used for?
EVA FOAM-XL 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 FOAM-XL?
EVA FOAM-XL has a typical yield strength of 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.319 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is EVA FOAM-XL easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% 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 FOAM-XL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). 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 FOAM-XL?
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 FOAM-XL 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 FOAM-XL?
EVA FOAM-XL is rated for continuous use to about 70°C (158 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.