EVA material : flexible and versatile "all-purpose player"

-03-15 In daily life, you often come into contact with a material called EVA. You may not have noticed its existence, but it is widely used in refrigerator seals, shoe soles, insoles, floor mats and many other fields. Today, let's learn about the past, present and wide range of uses of this "all-round expert" - EVA material.

1. What is EVA material ？

EVA, full name Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer, is a thermoplastic elastic material made of ethylene (E) and vinyl acetate (VA). It is between rubber and plastic, with softness, elasticity and good processing performance.
The properties of EVA depend on its VA content. The higher the VA content, the better the elasticity, transparency and softness; while EVA with a lower VA content is closer to polyethylene, with higher strength and greater hardness. Click to learn more about ▶️ EVA materials

2. Characteristics of EVA material ?

• Excellent elasticity and softness

EVA has a soft touch similar to rubber and is not easy to break, making it suitable for use as a cushion or sole.

• Good impact resistance and cold resistance

EVA remains flexible at low temperatures and is widely used in refrigerator sealing, refrigerated packaging and other fields.

• Non-toxic, odorless, safe and environmentally friendly

Complies with EU ROHS, REACH and other environmental protection standards, suitable for children's products and medical fields.

• Easy to process and rich in colors

EVA can be processed by foaming, injection molding, extrusion, calendering and other methods, and the product color and shape are varied.

• Waterproof, UV-resistant, chemical-resistant

Can be used in outdoor environments or in scenes where detergents are exposed. Click to learn more about ▶️ EVA materials

3. Application of EVA materials

Application  Typical Products

4. Comparison of EVA with other materials

Comparison of characteristics EVA PE（polyethylene） PVC（polyvinyl chloride (PVC)） Caoutchouc Softness High Moderate Moderate High Resilient Good Relatively low General Good Processing temperature Low Moderate Moderate High Environmental Good Good General (chlorine) General (manufacturing, production etc) costs General  Low Low High

5. Why choose EVA material ?

With its soft, lightweight, safe and multifunctional properties, EVA material is widely used in all corners of people's daily lives.From children's toys to adult sporting goods to industrial-grade packaging, it has become an indispensable member of the modern material system due to its excellent comprehensive performance.
If you're looking for an environmentally friendly material with excellent cushioning properties, EVA may be just the material for you. If you need more technical data, processing suggestions or supply channels of EVA materials, please leave a message or contact us for information! Click to learn more about ▶️ EVA materials

6. Common EVA manufacturers

Internationally renowned manufacturers include Dow Chemical and ExxonMobil in the United States, which have mature EVA production lines and their products are widely used in the fields of footwear, packaging, cables, etc. Mitsui Chemicals and Sumitomo Chemical in Japan are known for their EVA materials with high VA content, which are particularly suitable for high value-added applications such as photovoltaic films and hot melt adhesives. In the Chinese market, the Yangzi Petrochemical-BASF joint venture, Sinopec Maoming Branch, Formosa Plastics and Liancheng Chemical also have strong production capacity and regional competitive advantages, providing diversified EVA solutions for the local market. The EVA materials we often supply are Item/Model Lotte VS430 Lotte VA910 Dow-Mitsui EV210 Dow-Mitsui EV40W Vinyl acetate (VA) content 18% ±1 28% ±1 18% 28% Melting Index (MI) 2.5 g/10min 2.0 g/10min 2.0 g/10min 2.0 g/10min density 0.935 g/cm³ 0.950 g/cm³ 0.933 g/cm³ 0.950 g/cm³ specificities Moderate flow, good processability High VA content for better elasticity General purpose, good foaming properties High VA for bonding, high elasticity requirements main application Shoe soles, foam cushioning, EVA sheets Hot melt adhesive, adhesive film, soft foam Shoe foam, foam layer, midsole Hot melt adhesive, photovoltaic film, transparent matting Processing method Foaming, calendering, extrusion Extrusion, coating, injection molding Foaming, injection molding, calendering Hot melt adhesive coating, film lamination Can't find the material you want, please contact us▶️ Luoyang Baiyou

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EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) foam might seem interchangeable at first glance – both are go-to materials for manufacturing everything from packaging to sports gear. But there are key differences that define them. 

To help you pick the perfect match for your project, we’ll be tackling three big questions in this guide:

• What is PVC foam?
• What is EVA foam?
• How to choose EVA vs. PVC for your fabrication project

By the end of this guide, you’ll know which foam – EVA or PVC – solves your project’s unique requirements.

Talk to an EVA & PPC Foam Expert

What Is PVC Foam?

PVC is one of the world’s most popular plastics. One of its many derivatives is PVC foam board. (A “foam” is simply a material with small bubbles introduced into its structure.)

It is a closed-cell, lightweight material valued for its balance of durability and versatility. Some of its key characteristics include:

• Easier to handle than solid PVC, reducing labor during installation
• Retains structural integrity under stress for decades
• Performs consistently in humid or chemically exposed environments
• Self-extinguishing properties meet safety standards

Some of the most popular applications for PVC foam fabrication include:

• Indoor & outdoor signage
• Point of purchase (POP) displays
• Freestanding cutouts
• Dimensional lettering
• As a substrate for printing, lamination, etc.
• As a core material in watercraft and even some aircraft
• As a material for prototypes or mockups

At Polymershapes, we offer a variety of PVC foam fabrication services. This material is especially popular for exhibitions and retail displays, but we get orders for many other types of applications as well. Whether you need PVC or EVA material for your project, our experts are here to help you identify the ideal material and fabrication process for your product applications.

Benefits of PVC Foam

Besides its versatility, PVC foam offers several other benefits, including:

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• Highly workable; easy to cut, bond, and fasten
• Able to be thermoformed
• Naturally has a matte finish but can be made with any finish desired
• Strongly resistant to organic solvents

Marine Industry Origins

Just like EVA foam material, PVC foam is highly resistant to water, wind, salt, temperature, and sunlight. This makes it highly suitable for outdoor use, particularly in marine applications.

In fact, PVC foam owes its origins to the sea. PVC was used to great effect in marine tools and equipment during World War II. After the war, the private sector deemed PVC too heavy. However, since the other properties of PVC are so well-suited to marine applications, researchers set about developing a lightweight version, eventually resulting in the invention of PVC foam board. What is PVC foam if not a testament to market innovation!

What Is EVA Foam?

EVA offers a compelling alternative when PVC doesn’t align with your project’s demands. Made by blending ethylene and vinyl acetate, this closed-cell foam balances rubber-like flexibility with shock absorption – all while resisting moisture, chemicals, and wear. It can range from rigid to supple and is one of several materials sometimes known as “foam rubber.”

Depending on how much vinyl acetate is added during production, it can feel as pliable as a rubber sole or as sturdy as a tool handle. You can also add ingredients to boost its resistance to sunlight, flames, or specific chemicals, tailoring it to environments like outdoor signage or industrial workshops.

EVA foam isn’t usually considered a direct alternative to PVC foam. Like PVC, EVA is very impressive in its versatility, but what is EVA material best used for? Here are just a few of its applications:

• Bicycle seats
• Exercise mats
• Fishing rods
• Running shoe midsoles
• Cosplay components like belts and swords
• Shock absorption padding

Benefits of EVA Foam 

Some of the main benefits of EVA material include: 

• Holds up under extreme cold without cracking
• Resists water, UV damage, and temperature swings
• Recovers its shape after compression, lasting years
• Soft, latex-free, and safe for skin contact
• Dampens vibrations and shocks effectively
• Regulates temperature in hot or cold environments

EVA foam handles subzero conditions without cracking, making it a reliable choice for cold environments like refrigeration units or winter sports gear. Its dense structure blocks moisture, UV rays, and temperature swings, so it performs consistently outdoors.

The foam’s ability to rebound after compression ensures long-term usability. Gym flooring, packaging inserts, or industrial gaskets retain their shape even under repeated stress. This resilience pairs with a soft, latex-free texture, ideal for medical splints, shoe insoles, or any application where skin contact matters.

Let Polymershapes Help You Find the Right Material for Your Project

Polymershapes simplifies material selection for projects involving EVA foam, PVC foam, and other industrial plastics. Instead of going through endless options alone, discuss your needs with our team – we’ll match your design goals, budget, and timeline to the right material and fabrication method.

We have 70+ years of experience as a plastic fabrication company delivering products that meet our customers’ needs, and we have the facilities to manufacture a wide variety of plastic products at competitive prices and with a fast turnaround.

For more information, please visit eva membrane.