What is EVA plastic? Characteristics and applications of EVA material

EVA plastic is a material that is widely used in many industries, especially in the field of footwear production such as women's sandals , men's sandals , etc. EVA has many outstanding advantages such as light, soft, non-toxic, good bearing capacity and reasonable price. If you want to learn more about this type of plastic, please read the following article with Blog Shondo !

1. Key Points

Useful information you will get after reading this article:

• Provides complete information on the definition, history, manufacturing process, classification and properties of EVA plastic, helping readers have a comprehensive view of this material.
• Distinguish EVA plastic types based on VA ratio and polarization ability, thereby choosing the type of plastic suitable for usage needs.
• Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of EVA plastic with other plastics such as rubber, PVC , PU helps readers make decisions about choosing the right material.
• Introducing many applications of EVA plastic in life, from shoes, bags, toys to electronics, furniture,...
• Answers to some frequently asked questions about EVA plastic such as health safety, quality of EVA sandals, comparison of EVA and Phylon plastic, helping readers consolidate knowledge and answer concerns.

2. What is EVA plastic?

2.1. Definition of EVA plastic

EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer) is a synthetic material made from ethylene and vinyl acetate. It is a highly elastic polymer, commonly used to create products with flexible and resilient properties.

[caption id="attachment_4390" align="aligncenter" width="800"] EVA plastic is a synthetic material made from ethylene and vinyl acetate[/caption]

2.2. History of formation and development of EVA plastic

• 1930s: EVA plastic was first synthesized by scientists at ICI company (UK).
• 1960s: EVA began to be widely used in the production of packaging, floor coverings and other consumer products.
• 1970s to present: EVA plastic is increasingly popular and applied in many fields such as footwear, toy, sports equipment production,... thanks to its outstanding advantages in durability, elasticity and water resistance.

[caption id="attachment_4392" align="aligncenter" width="800"] EVA plastic is used in many fields such as shoe manufacturing,...[/caption]

2.3. EVA plastic production process

To create tiny EVA plastic beads, people have to go through a rather complicated production process, requiring modern technology and strict control. Here are the basic steps:

• Step 1: Prepare ingredients

The main raw materials for producing EVA plastic are ethylene (C2H4) and vinyl acetate (VA). They are fed into the reactor in liquid or gas form, after being cleaned and quality tested.

• Step 2: High pressure polymerization

Ethylene and vinyl acetate are fed into a high-pressure reactor, along with catalysts and other additives. Here, under the influence of high temperature, pressure and catalysts, ethylene and vinyl acetate molecules will bond together, forming EVA polymer chains.

[caption id="attachment_4393" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Ethylene and vinyl acetate are fed into a high pressure reactor[/caption]

• Step 3: Separating and creating plastic granules

The EVA polymer mixture after being formed will be passed through a cooling and extraction system to remove unreacted components and solvents. Then, the EVA polymer is fed into a granulator to form small, uniform plastic particles.

• Step 4: Packing and storage

After being shaped, EVA plastic beads will be cooled and packaged in specialized packaging to preserve quality and facilitate transportation and use.

[caption id="attachment_4394" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Finished EVA resin is packaged in bags[/caption]

2.4. EVA plastic classification

Based on Vinyl Acetate ratio:

• Flexible EVA plastic: Contains a high VA ratio (usually over 20%), providing high toughness and flexibility.
• Hard EVA: Contains low VA ratio (under 20%), has higher hardness, often used in applications requiring good bearing capacity.

Based on polarization ability:

• Polar EVA resin: Has good bonding ability with other polar materials.
• Non-polar EVA resin: Less likely to bond with polar materials.

[caption id="attachment_4395" align="aligncenter" width="800"] EVA plastic classification[/caption]

3. Characteristics and properties of EVA plastic

3.1. Advantages of EVA plastic

EVA plastic possesses many outstanding advantages, making EVA a popular material in many fields:

• High durability: Impact resistance, weather resistance, UV rays, ozone resistance, helping the product last over time.
• Good elasticity: Stretchy, good elasticity even at low temperatures, providing comfort to the user.
• Easy to process and shape products: EVA plastic can be easily cut and shaped into products with diverse designs.
• Effective waterproof: Prevents water from seeping through, helping to protect the items inside.
• Good chemical resistance: Withstands the effects of many common chemicals.
• Safe, non-toxic: Environmentally friendly, easy to recycle, contributing to environmental protection.

[caption id="attachment_4396" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Platy 2 black bread sandals with EVA straps[/caption]

3.2. Disadvantages of EVA plastic

Besides the outstanding advantages, EVA plastic also has some disadvantages:

• High heat absorption: Easily heated when exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time.
• Heat resistance limit: Cannot withstand temperatures that are too high (easily soft) or too low (easily brittle).
• Mechanical strength and load-bearing capacity are lower than some materials : Not suitable for manufacturing products requiring extremely high load-bearing capacity.
• Less chemical resistance than some materials: Caution should be exercised when using with certain strong chemicals.

[caption id="attachment_4384" align="aligncenter" width="800"] EVA plastic has less chemical resistance than some materials[/caption]

3.3. Comparison of EVA plastic with other plastics

Characteristic	EVA plastic	Rubber	PVC	PU
Durability	Medium	Good	Good	Pretty good
Elasticity	Good	Very good	Medium	Good
Waterproof	Good	Good	Good	Pretty good
Machinability	Easy	Difficult	Easy	Easy
Price	Medium	High	Short	High

Comment: EVA plastic has many outstanding advantages such as good water resistance, easy processing, reasonable price,... is a suitable choice for products that require softness and lightness such as shoes, bags,...

4. Applications of EVA plastic in life

With its superior properties, EVA plastic has been widely applied in many different industries and fields, from shoe and handbag manufacturing to complex industrial products.

4.1. Footwear manufacturing industry

EVA plastic is considered a shining star in the footwear industry, especially sports shoes. The advantages of lightness, softness, good elasticity and excellent shock absorption of EVA help create comfortable shoes, optimal support for each step, while increasing the wearer's performance.

You can find EVA plastic in many parts of a pair of shoes such as:

• Shoe sole: EVA is a popular material for producing soles of sports shoes, women's sandals , men's sandals, slippers,... bringing softness and comfort to the user.
• Insoles: EVA insoles help increase comfort and reduce foot pain, especially during strenuous exercise.
• Shoe body: Some modern sports shoes also use mesh fabric combined with EVA plastic to create a breathable, foot-hugging and light shoe body.

With the mission of bringing customers high-quality, soft and fashionable products, Shondo has continuously researched and applied advanced production technology, combining EVA plastic with other high-quality materials to create quality shoes, meeting the diverse needs of consumers. Some Shondo product lines using EVA plastic are F8M, F8B, Platy 1, Platy 2,...

[caption id="attachment_4385" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Platy 2 full beige bread sandals [/caption]

4.2. Handbag manufacturing industry

EVA bags are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and fashion. EVA makes bags lighter, more durable, effectively waterproof and easy to clean. You can find EVA applications in bags such as:

• Backpacks: School backpacks, laptop backpacks, travel backpacks,... made from EVA are often very light, waterproof, and help protect items inside from rain and wind.
• Travel bag: EVA travel bag has the advantage of being light, compact, easy to fold when not in use, very suitable for long trips.
• Sports bag: EVA plastic helps protect sports equipment from impact and mold effectively.

EVA plastic bag with foldable lid

4.3. Manufacturing industry of children's toys, electronics, furniture, cosmetics, plastic floors,...

Besides shoes and bags, EVA plastic is also widely used in many other fields:

• Children's toys: Safe, non-toxic EVA plastic is used to produce foam floor mats, puzzle toys, swimming floats, etc. for children.
• Electronics: EVA is used as protective covers and shockproof pads for electronic devices such as phones, tablets, etc.
• Interior: EVA wall panels and floor mats bring a modern, luxurious beauty to the living space, while also having good sound and heat insulation.
• Cosmetics: EVA plastic is used as packaging for some cosmetic products such as powder puffs, makeup sponges,...
• Plastic flooring: EVA plastic flooring has the advantage of being anti-slip and elastic, often used in gyms, children's play areas,...

[caption id="attachment_4387" align="aligncenter" width="800"] EVA plastic floor mats[/caption]

5. Related questions

5.1. Is EVA plastic safe for health?

You can rest assured when using products made from EVA plastic! This type of plastic has been tested and certified to meet safety standards, and does not contain toxic chemicals such as phthalate, BPA, etc. Therefore, EVA plastic is completely friendly to users and the environment.

5.2. Are EVA slippers good?

Slippers made from EVA plastic are increasingly popular because of their outstanding advantages:

• Soft and comfortable: Brings a comfortable feeling to the feet, especially when moving a lot.
• Good water resistance: Feel free to go in the rain or to the beach without worrying about getting your feet wet.
• Durable: Less deformation and fading after long-term use.
• Easy to clean: Just wipe gently with a damp cloth and the slippers will be as clean as new.

However, EVA slippers can be slippery on some smooth, wet surfaces. Therefore, you should be careful when wearing EVA slippers on bathroom floors, marble floors, etc.

5.3. How is Phylon EVA plastic different from EVA plastic?

Phylon is essentially a form of EVA plastic, created by compressing EVA at high temperatures and pressures. This process creates a foam that is harder and more resilient than regular EVA. Phylon plastic is often used to produce high-end sports shoe soles, providing superior elasticity, shock resistance and durability.

[caption id="attachment_4388" align="aligncenter" width="800"] EVA plastic is safe for health and the environment[/caption]

With outstanding advantages in terms of features, price and diversity in applications, EVA plastic is predicted to continue to develop strongly in the future, bringing quality products to meet the increasing needs of consumers. Hopefully the above article has brought you useful information. Follow Shondo to learn more articles!