What Is EVA Foam?

What is EVA Foam?

Shoes come in all shapes and sizes (you might not be wearing a pair if they didn't!), but they're also made from all types of materials. Ethylene vinyl acetate-better known as EVA-is among the most common of those materials, and is often turned into a usable foam. But what is EVA foam useful for, exactly?

Used in everything from cling wrap to hockey pads, the material is as versatile as it is resilient. It doesn't slip or scuff easily, absorbs impacts like a champ, and is resistant to cracking-ideal qualities for any type of shoe. Often placed in the midsoles, EVA foam material promotes stability and relieves your feet from the pressures of moving around.

There's obviously more to this shoe-padding material than meets the foot, so let's continue to explore the ins and outs of EVA foam, from whether it qualifies as a rubber or a plastic to its eco-friendly ranking.

What Is The Difference Between Foam And EVA Foam?

There is an abundance of foams out there, but polyethylene (PE) foam is perhaps the most widely used.3 It shares a number of similarities with its EVA cousin, and they can be used interchangeably-to a certain degree.

To that end, let's explore four factors that differentiate EVA from PE:

Elasticity – EVA foam midsoles are common for good reason: They're just as resilient as natural rubber. As far as compressive and tensile strength goes, EVA is a step ahead of PE.

Insulation – When it comes to extreme temperatures, EVA and PE foam both go a long way, remaining flexible in cold temperatures that would have you frozen stiff.11 PE, however, goes a little further, giving it the edge in terms of insulating properties

Endurance – PE foam is no slouch in the shock-proofing department, but EVA material has far more density and is less likely to experience quick wear and tear

Cost – Because EVA foam can take more punishment, can stay in shape, and is more flexible, products made with EVA foam creations are generally going to be pricier than those made with PE

 

Is EVA Rubber Or Plastic?

The higher the amount of vinyl acetate there is in EVA foam, the more flexible it will be. At 40% and up, the end product is often referred to as EVA foam rubber for how malleable it is.5 Yet, for all that, every form of EVA foam belongs in the plastic family.

Rubber is derived from natural rubber plants, though it can also be man-made using oil. Plastic, on the other hand, is always man-made.6 Ethylene and vinyl acetate are each their own plastics, combined through the magic of chemistry into EVA copolymer.

 

Is EVA Better Than Rubber?

Once again, the debate comes down to differences:7

EVA foam armor is lighter and softer than rubber, making it more malleable while providing less protection and shock absorption against the likes of foreign objects.

Rubber doesn't deform as easily and has a stronger grip and resistance than EVA foam, but is also less flexible.

So, one isn't necessarily better than the other-it depends more on what you need them for.

 

About us

Luoyang Dema Import & Export Co., Ltd. aims to provide high-quality, cost-effective products for global factories, plastic product manufacturers, and material distributors. It provides THE best PP, PE, PVC, AVE, and ABS material solutions for plastic product manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, factory owners, processing workshops, etc.

If you are looking for general plastic materials, please feel free to get the latest prices and quotations from Luoyang Dema Import & Export Co., Ltd. The sales team will reply within 48 hours.