spore: profile
id: eva
spore_version: 0.2
family: polyolefins
name: Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer
abbreviation: EVA
role: thermoplastic copolymer for solar encapsulants, hot-melt adhesives and wire compounds
category: polymers
type: polyolefins
summary: Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) is a thermoplastic made from ethylene and vinyl acetate. Two ExxonMobil grades read for this profile have a density of 0.945 g/cm3 (EVA 150028, 27.6 wt% vinyl acetate) and 0.955 g/cm3 (EVA 43031.CD, 31.4 wt% vinyl acetate), with melt indexes of 150 g/10 min and 43 g/10 min at 190 °C/2.16 kg. A 1983 Jet Propulsion Laboratory abstract reports that a stabilised EVA slowly photo-oxidizes at 25 °C and forms volatile products such as acetic acid at higher temperatures.
best_for: Hot-melt adhesive, sealant and wire-compound grades in the ExxonMobil datasheets, such as EVA 150028 with a melt index of 150 g/10 min at 190 °C/2.16 kg
weakest_at: 'Heat and light ageing: the datasheet peak melting temperatures are 66 °C and 59 °C, and the 1983 JPL abstract reports acetic acid formation at higher temperatures'
identity:
  formula: (C2H4)n(C4H6O2)m, a copolymer of ethylene (C2H4) and vinyl acetate (C4H6O2) as printed in the Wikipedia infobox
  cas: 24937-78-8
  source: wikipedia-eva
  where: Infobox formula. CAS number from the Hanwha SDS, Section 3 (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer, 24937-78-8)
  designations:
    - system: Trade name
      code: EVA 150028
      note: ExxonMobil grade name, printed as ExxonMobil EVA 150028 on the datasheet
      source: exxon-150028
      where: Title block and product name
    - system: Trade name
      code: EVA 43031.CD
      note: ExxonMobil grade name, printed as ExxonMobil EVA 43031.CD on the datasheet
      source: exxon-43031cd
      where: Title block and product name
tags:
  environments: []
  stresses:
    - uv
    - extreme-heat
  applications:
    - solar-arrays
    - electronics-and-chips
properties:
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, EVA 150028
    value: 0.945
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 150028 (27.6 wt% vinyl acetate)
      test_standard: ASTM D1505, as printed in the Test Based On column
      temperature: not printed
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; Test Based On column reads ASTM D1505
    status: ground
    source: exxon-150028
    where: Resin Properties table, Density row
  - benchmark: melt_flow_rate
    label: Melt index, EVA 150028
    value: 150
    unit: g/10 min
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 150028
      temperature: 190 °C
      load: 2.16 kg
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; Test Based On column reads ASTM D1238
    status: ground
    source: exxon-150028
    where: Resin Properties table, Melt Index (190°C/2.16 kg) row
  - benchmark: vinyl_acetate_content
    label: Vinyl acetate content, EVA 150028
    value: 27.6
    unit: wt%
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 150028
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; method column reads ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    note: Custom name, not in the canonical property list
    source: exxon-150028
    where: Resin Properties table, Vinyl Acetate Content row
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Peak melting temperature, EVA 150028
    value: 66
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 150028
      english_unit_as_printed: 151 °F
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    source: exxon-150028
    where: Resin Properties table, Peak Melting Temperature row
  - benchmark: vicat_softening_temperature
    label: Vicat softening temperature, EVA 150028
    value: 51
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 150028
      english_unit_as_printed: 124 °F
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; ExxonMobil Method, test standard not printed
    status: ground
    source: exxon-150028
    where: Thermal table, Vicat Softening Temperature row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength at break, EVA 150028
    value: 2.3
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 150028
      specimen: compression molded
      english_unit_as_printed: 330 psi
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; the datasheet states that all physical properties were measured on compression molded specimens
    status: ground
    source: exxon-150028
    where: Molded Properties table, Tensile Strength at Break row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Elongation at break, EVA 150028
    value: 522
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 150028
      specimen: compression molded
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    source: exxon-150028
    where: Molded Properties table, Elongation at Break row
  - benchmark: flexural_modulus
    label: Flexural modulus, 1% secant, EVA 150028
    value: 19
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 150028
      secant: 1% secant
      english_unit_as_printed: 2700 psi
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    source: exxon-150028
    where: Molded Properties table, Flexural Modulus - 1% Secant row
  - benchmark: shore_a_hardness
    label: Durometer hardness Shore A, 15 sec, EVA 150028
    value: 75
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 150028
      duration: 15 sec
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    note: Custom name. Shore hardness is a scale with no unit, recorded as -
    source: exxon-150028
    where: Molded Properties table, Durometer Hardness Shore A 15 sec row
  - benchmark: shore_d_hardness
    label: Durometer hardness Shore D, 15 sec, EVA 150028
    value: 19
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 150028
      duration: 15 sec
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    note: Custom name. Shore hardness is a scale with no unit, recorded as -
    source: exxon-150028
    where: Molded Properties table, Durometer Hardness Shore D 15 sec row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, EVA 43031.CD
    value: 0.955
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 43031.CD (31.4 wt% vinyl acetate)
      test_standard: ASTM D1505, as printed in the Test Based On column
      temperature: not printed
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; Test Based On column reads ASTM D1505
    status: ground
    source: exxon-43031cd
    where: Resin Properties table, Density row
  - benchmark: melt_flow_rate
    label: Melt index, EVA 43031.CD
    value: 43
    unit: g/10 min
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 43031.CD
      temperature: 190 °C
      load: 2.16 kg
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; Test Based On column reads ASTM D1238
    status: ground
    source: exxon-43031cd
    where: Resin Properties table, Melt Index (190°C/2.16 kg) row
  - benchmark: vinyl_acetate_content
    label: Vinyl acetate content, EVA 43031.CD
    value: 31.4
    unit: wt%
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 43031.CD
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; method column reads ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    note: Custom name, not in the canonical property list
    source: exxon-43031cd
    where: Resin Properties table, Vinyl Acetate Content row
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Peak melting temperature, EVA 43031.CD
    value: 59
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 43031.CD
      english_unit_as_printed: 138 °F
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    source: exxon-43031cd
    where: Resin Properties table, Peak Melting Temperature row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength at break, EVA 43031.CD
    value: 4
    bound: lower
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 43031.CD
      specimen: compression molded
      bound_as_printed: '> 4.0 MPa (> 580 psi)'
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; the datasheet states that all physical properties were measured on compression molded specimens
    status: ground
    source: exxon-43031cd
    where: Molded Properties table, Tensile Strength at Break row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Elongation at break, EVA 43031.CD
    value: 723
    bound: lower
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 43031.CD
      specimen: compression molded
      bound_as_printed: '> 723 %'
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    source: exxon-43031cd
    where: Molded Properties table, Elongation at Break row
  - benchmark: flexural_modulus
    label: Flexural modulus, 1% secant, EVA 43031.CD
    value: 9.6
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 43031.CD
      secant: 1% secant
      english_unit_as_printed: 1400 psi
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    source: exxon-43031cd
    where: Molded Properties table, Flexural Modulus - 1% Secant row
  - benchmark: shore_a_hardness
    label: Durometer hardness Shore A, 15 sec, EVA 43031.CD
    value: 63
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 43031.CD
      duration: 15 sec
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    note: Custom name. Shore hardness is a scale with no unit, recorded as -
    source: exxon-43031cd
    where: Molded Properties table, Durometer Hardness Shore A 15 sec row
  - benchmark: shore_d_hardness
    label: Durometer hardness Shore D, 15 sec, EVA 43031.CD
    value: 13
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: EVA 43031.CD
      duration: 15 sec
    method: Typical value printed on the ExxonMobil datasheet; ExxonMobil Method
    status: ground
    note: Custom name. Shore hardness is a scale with no unit, recorded as -
    source: exxon-43031cd
    where: Molded Properties table, Durometer Hardness Shore D 15 sec row
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting point range, Hanwha EVA grades (family SDS)
    value: 60
    value_high: 105
    bound: range
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: Hanwha EVA family SDS covering the grades listed in Section 1.1.1, not one grade
      printed: 60℃~105℃
    method: Value printed in SDS Section 9.1 and marked in the SDS as typical values
    status: ground
    source: hanwha-eva-sds
    where: Section 9.1, Melting point/freezing point row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Relative density, Hanwha EVA grades (family SDS)
    value: 0.92
    value_high: 0.95
    bound: range
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: Hanwha EVA family SDS covering the grades listed in Section 1.1.1, not one grade
      temperature: 25 ℃
      printed: 0.92~0.95g/cm3(25℃)
    method: Value printed in SDS Section 9.1 and marked in the SDS as typical values
    status: ground
    source: hanwha-eva-sds
    where: Section 9.1, Relative density row
  - benchmark: flash_point
    label: Flash point, Hanwha EVA grades (family SDS)
    value: 270
    bound: lower
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: Hanwha EVA family SDS covering the grades listed in Section 1.1.1, not one grade
      printed: '>270 ℃'
    method: Value printed in SDS Section 9.1
    status: ground
    source: hanwha-eva-sds
    where: Section 9.1, Flash point row
  - benchmark: autoignition_temperature
    label: Auto-ignition temperature, Hanwha EVA grades (family SDS)
    value: 400
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: Hanwha EVA family SDS covering the grades listed in Section 1.1.1, not one grade
      printed: 400℃
    method: Value printed in SDS Section 9.1
    status: ground
    note: Custom name, not in the canonical property list
    source: hanwha-eva-sds
    where: Section 9.1, Auto-ignition temperature row
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting point range, EVA copolymer (ExxonMobil SDS, no grade named)
    value: 35
    value_high: 110
    bound: range
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: ExxonMobil SDS for the Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer, with no grade named
      printed: 35 to 110°C (95 to 230°F) [In-house method]
    method: SDS Section 9 value, ExxonMobil in-house method
    status: ground
    source: exxon-eva-sds
    where: Section 9, Melting point/freezing point row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density range, EVA copolymer (ExxonMobil SDS, no grade named)
    value: 0.91
    value_high: 0.97
    bound: range
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: ExxonMobil SDS for the Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer, with no grade named
      temperature: 15 °C (59 °F)
      printed: 0.91 to 0.97 g/cm³ [15°C (59°F)] [In-house method]
    method: SDS Section 9 value, ExxonMobil in-house method
    status: ground
    source: exxon-eva-sds
    where: Section 9, Density row
corrosion:
  - environment: Photo-oxidation in air under UV-containing light at 25 °C
    headline: A stabilised EVA slowly photo-oxidizes at 25 °C, and the abstract reports no change in bulk properties for up to 1500 hours.
    effect: The 1983 JPL abstract says the stabilised EVA slowly photooxidized at 25 °C through energy transfer from its UV absorber, and that its bulk physical properties showed no change for up to 1500 hours of irradiation.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      basis: laboratory abstract of a stabilised EVA formulation; no retention figure in the abstract
      rating_basis: assigned by the assistant from the abstract wording
    source: jpl-1983-photothermal
    where: Abstract
  - environment: Higher temperature in air, with additives present
    headline: At higher temperatures additives leach out and evaporate, and volatile products such as acetic acid form.
    effect: The 1983 JPL abstract says that at higher temperatures additives leached out and evaporated, which led to chemical crosslinking and volatile photoproducts such as acetic acid. The temperature range tested is printed as 25-105 C.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      range_tested: 25-105 C, as printed
      basis: laboratory abstract, three oxygen conditions
    source: jpl-1983-photothermal
    where: Abstract
  - environment: Hydrolysis
    headline: Wikipedia says hydrolysis of EVA gives ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and acetic acid.
    effect: Wikipedia says that hydrolysis of EVA produces the ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) and acetic acid. The article gives no test conditions or rate.
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      basis: general statement in an encyclopedia article; no test condition
    source: wikipedia-eva
    where: Article text on hydrolysis
  - environment: Thermal processing and elevated temperature
    headline: The ExxonMobil SDS says thermal degradation products, including acetic acid, may evolve at elevated temperatures.
    effect: The ExxonMobil SDS says that during thermal processing, aldehydes such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, and organic acids such as formic acid and acetic acid, may evolve at elevated temperatures. Section 10 advises avoiding elevated temperatures for prolonged periods of time.
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      basis: SDS statement on rotomolding and processing; no test data
    source: exxon-eva-sds
    where: Section 8, Special precautions; Section 10, Conditions to avoid
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: ExxonMobil classifies the EVA copolymer as Not classified, with supplemental label element EUH210 (safety data sheet available on request), and reports no specific fire or explosion hazard.
      ghs: []
      source: exxon-eva-sds
      where: Sections 2 and 5
    - text: Hanwha Solutions classifies its EVA as not classified for physical, health or environmental hazards under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, with no pictogram or signal word.
      ghs: []
      source: hanwha-eva-sds
      where: Sections 2.1 and 2.2
    - text: The ExxonMobil SDS lists vinyl acetate (CAS 108-05-4) at ≥0.1 - <1 % by weight and gives the carcinogenicity conclusion as 'May cause cancer', based on assessment of the components.
      ghs: []
      source: exxon-eva-sds
      where: Section 3 (ingredient table) and Section 11 (Carcinogenicity)
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Acetic acid release from photo-oxidation at higher temperature
      trigger: UV light and heat on an EVA containing additives, as tested in the 1983 JPL study
      consequence: Additives leach out and evaporate, which led to chemical crosslinking and volatile photoproducts such as acetic acid in the study
      severity: moderate
      source: jpl-1983-photothermal
      where: Abstract
    - mode: Dust-air explosion when fine particles are made
      trigger: Further processing, handling or grinding that generates small particles of the copolymer
      consequence: May form explosible dust-air mixture, per the ExxonMobil SDS
      severity: low
      source: exxon-eva-sds
      where: Section 2, Other hazards which do not result in classification
  side_effects: []
  handling:
    - text: Avoid dust generation. The ExxonMobil SDS says to vacuum dust with equipment fitted with a HEPA filter and not to dry sweep.
      source: exxon-eva-sds
      where: Section 6, Small spill and Large spill rows
    - text: Hot material can cause thermal burns, so wear protective equipment and cool molten material with cold water, per the ExxonMobil SDS.
      source: exxon-eva-sds
      where: Section 4 (skin contact) and Section 7 (protective measures)
    - text: Keep away from heat, sparks and flames (Hanwha SDS), and away from strong oxidizing agents, amines (Hanwha SDS) and fluorine (ExxonMobil SDS).
      source: hanwha-eva-sds
      where: Sections 7.2, 10.2 and 10.3
  mitigations:
    - text: Use local exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls where dust, fumes or vapour form, per the ExxonMobil SDS.
      source: exxon-eva-sds
      where: Section 8, Appropriate engineering controls
uses:
  - application: solar-arrays
    device: Encapsulant for crystalline silicon solar cells in photovoltaic modules (terrestrial modules, not a space source)
    example: Wikipedia says EVA is used for crystalline silicon solar cells, where it protects the silicon and bonds it to the glass support.
    source: wikipedia-eva
    where: Uses section, Solar encapsulant
  - application: electronics-and-chips
    device: Wire and cable compounds, molding compounds and extrusion compounds
    example: ExxonMobil EVA 43031.CD is listed for crosslinkable compounds, molding compounds, extrusion compounds and wire and cable compounds.
    source: exxon-43031cd
    where: General table, Applications row
supply:
  - subject: Ethylene (monomer)
    abundance: Wikipedia gives worldwide ethylene production as over 225 million tonnes in 2022 and says steam cracking is a primary method.
    producers: []
    critical_lists: []
    substitutes: []
    source: wikipedia-ethylene
    where: Production section
  - subject: Vinyl acetate (comonomer)
    abundance: Wikipedia says vinyl acetate is made from ethylene and acetic acid with oxygen over a palladium catalyst, and that About 80% of vinyl acetate is polymerized, with ethylene-vinyl acetate among the polymers made from it.
    producers: []
    critical_lists: []
    substitutes: []
    source: wikipedia-vinyl-acetate
    where: Production and Main use sections
  - subject: Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (manufacturer named in the Hanwha SDS)
    producers:
      - country: South Korea
    critical_lists: []
    substitutes: []
    source: hanwha-eva-sds
    where: Section 1.3.1, manufacturer address (Ulsan and Yeosu plants)
documents:
  - title: ExxonMobil EVA 150028 product datasheet, effective 06/11/2020
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/en/chemicals/webapi/dps/v1/datasheets/150000000456/0/en
    year: 2020
  - title: ExxonMobil EVA 43031.CD product datasheet, effective 06/11/2020
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/en/chemicals/webapi/dps/v1/datasheets/150000000132/0/en
    year: 2020
  - title: ExxonMobil safety data sheet, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer, version 8.03
    type: sds
    url: https://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/en/chemicals/webapi/dps/v1/safetydatasheets/1169082/en
    year: 2026
  - title: Hanwha Solutions safety data sheet, EVA, version 2, printed January 5, 2024
    type: sds
    url: https://hcc.hanwha.co.kr/static/en/data/product/msds/20240724/US_SDS_EVA_Ver.2.pdf
    year: 2024
  - title: Liang et al., Photothermal degradation of ethylene/vinylacetate copolymer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1983 (NASA NTRS 19830065499)
    type: paper
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19830065499
    year: 1983
gaps:
  - 'No atomic oxygen erosion yield for EVA: the NASA TM-2008-215490 Table I (MISSE 2 PEACE polymers) has no EVA row; it lists polypropylene and polyethylene, so no EVA erosion value is recorded.'
  - No flight, vacuum outgassing, radiation or thermal-cycling result for EVA was found in the sources read in this run.
  - The PubChem record for CAS 24937-78-8 returned a verification page and could not be read, so no PubChem GHS entry is recorded.
  - The ExxonMobil datasheets and the ExxonMobil SDS returned Access Denied or binary PDF to direct fetches; their values were read from saved PDF copies of the same pages in this run, so a live-page check may not match them.
  - Molecular weight of 700 to 50000 is printed in the ExxonMobil SDS without a unit, so it is not recorded.
  - Vinyl acetate monomer values (LD50, LC50, flash point, classification) belong to the monomer, not to EVA, and are not recorded as EVA values.
  - 'Glass transition: Wikipedia gives a family-level value without a grade, so no glass transition is recorded for either grade.'
  - Chemical resistance (solvents, acids, bases) and retention of tensile or elongation after UV or heat exposure were not found in the sources read.
  - The NREL and OSTI reports on EVA encapsulant yellowing and acetic acid could not be opened (access denied), so they are not cited.
  - No producer shares or tonnages for EVA were found; the Hanwha SDS names a Korean manufacturer without a share.
  - No USGS or EU critical-minerals entry was checked for EVA feedstocks.
  - Shore hardness, vinyl acetate content and auto-ignition temperature are not in the canonical property list and use custom names.
  - The 1 to 4 g/cm3 bulk density in the ExxonMobil SDS is a pellet bulk property, not a material density, and is not recorded.
sources:
  wikipedia-eva:
    title: Ethylene-vinyl acetate, Wikipedia
    id: 'Article: composition, uses, hydrolysis'
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene-vinyl_acetate
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (linked, not reproduced)
  exxon-150028:
    title: ExxonMobil EVA 150028, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer, product datasheet
    id: Effective date 06/11/2020, typical properties
    url: https://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/en/chemicals/webapi/dps/v1/datasheets/150000000456/0/en
    year: 2020
    kind: datasheet
    license: manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced
  exxon-43031cd:
    title: ExxonMobil EVA 43031.CD, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer, product datasheet
    id: Effective date 06/11/2020, typical properties
    url: https://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/en/chemicals/webapi/dps/v1/datasheets/150000000132/0/en
    year: 2020
    kind: datasheet
    license: manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced
  hanwha-eva-sds:
    title: Hanwha Solutions safety data sheet, EVA family, version 2
    id: Printed January 5, 2024; OSHA HCS 29 CFR 1910.1200; CAS 24937-78-8
    url: https://hcc.hanwha.co.kr/static/en/data/product/msds/20240724/US_SDS_EVA_Ver.2.pdf
    year: 2024
    kind: datasheet
    license: supplier SDS, linked not reproduced
  exxon-eva-sds:
    title: ExxonMobil safety data sheet, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer, version 8.03
    id: Date of issue 13 August 2026 as printed; Section 9 in-house method values
    url: https://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/en/chemicals/webapi/dps/v1/safetydatasheets/1169082/en
    year: 2026
    kind: datasheet
    license: supplier SDS, linked not reproduced
  jpl-1983-photothermal:
    title: Photothermal degradation of ethylene/vinylacetate copolymer (Liang et al., Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
    id: NASA accession 83A46717; abstract only
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19830065499
    year: 1983
    kind: paper
    license: NASA public document
  wikipedia-ethylene:
    title: Ethylene, Wikipedia
    id: 'Article: production and uses sections'
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (linked, not reproduced)
  wikipedia-vinyl-acetate:
    title: Vinyl acetate, Wikipedia
    id: 'Article: production and main use sections'
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_acetate
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (linked, not reproduced)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-11-02'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 25
  unreachable: 0
  caveats: 4
  note: 'Read by an AI assistant on 2026-11-02 from the pages named in each entry. The two ExxonMobil datasheets and the ExxonMobil SDS returned Access Denied or binary PDF to direct fetches, so their text was taken from saved PDF copies of the same pages. Caveats: the Hanwha values are for a family of grades, the two SDS ranges are for the EVA copolymer with no grade named, the Shore hardness unit is -, and the ExxonMobil SDS melting and density values are in-house method.'
story:
  recipe:
    line: EVA is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. Wikipedia gives its formula as (C2H4)n(C4H6O2)m. Vinyl acetate is made from ethylene and acetic acid with oxygen over a palladium catalyst (Wikipedia).
    parts:
      - name: Ethylene
        symbol: C2H4
        role: Monomer that forms the backbone. It is the balance of the copolymer after the vinyl acetate share.
        share_note: balance (the rest of the weight after vinyl acetate)
        source: wikipedia-eva
        where: Infobox formula
      - name: Vinyl acetate
        symbol: C4H6O2
        role: Comonomer that sets the vinyl acetate content of the grade and so its stiffness, melting point and density.
        share_note: 27.6 wt% in EVA 150028 and 31.4 wt% in EVA 43031.CD, per the ExxonMobil datasheets
        source: exxon-150028
        where: Resin Properties table, Vinyl Acetate Content row
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      lead: The Hanwha and ExxonMobil SDSs do not classify EVA as hazardous, but the ExxonMobil SDS gives a carcinogenicity conclusion based on its vinyl acetate component.
      level: 1
      verdict: Not classified; cancer note in SDS
      points:
        - label: Classification
          line: ExxonMobil classifies the copolymer as Not classified and adds the supplemental label element EUH210. Hanwha lists it as not classified for physical, health and environmental hazards.
        - label: Vinyl acetate
          line: The ExxonMobil SDS lists vinyl acetate at ≥0.1 - <1 % by weight and says the product 'May cause cancer', based on the components.
        - label: Dust
          line: The ExxonMobil SDS warns that fine particles can form an explosible dust-air mixture.
    - title: If it overheats
      lead: Heat and light change EVA's chemistry, and the sources name acetic acid as a product.
      level: 2
      verdict: Acetic acid is the named by-product
      points:
        - label: Heat
          line: The ExxonMobil SDS says thermal degradation products such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, formic acid and acetic acid may evolve at elevated temperatures during processing.
        - label: Light
          line: The 1983 JPL abstract reports slow photo-oxidation at 25 °C and volatile photoproducts such as acetic acid at higher temperatures.
  why: EVA is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, and its vinyl acetate content changes its stiffness, melting point and density. ExxonMobil's EVA 150028, with 27.6 wt% vinyl acetate, has a density of 0.945 g/cm3, a melt index of 150 g/10 min at 190 °C/2.16 kg, a Shore A hardness of 75 at 15 sec and a tensile strength at break of 2.3 MPa. Its datasheet peak melting temperature is 66 °C.
  uses:
    - where: Solar-cell encapsulant
      line: Wikipedia says EVA is used for crystalline silicon solar cells, where it protects the silicon and bonds it to the glass support. A 1983 JPL study tested a stabilised EVA formulation as an encapsulant for photovoltaic modules, from its abstract.
    - where: Hot-melt adhesives and sealants
      line: The ExxonMobil EVA 150028 datasheet lists adhesives and sealants, hot melt adhesives and wax blends as its applications.
    - where: Wire, cable and molding compounds
      line: The ExxonMobil EVA 43031.CD datasheet lists crosslinkable compounds, molding compounds, extrusion compounds and wire and cable compounds.
    - where: Closed-cell foam
      line: Wikipedia says closed-cell EVA foam is used in play mats, sports padding and sports-shoe midsoles.
  can_do:
    - label: Stiffness
      benchmark: flexural_modulus
      value: 19 MPa for EVA 150028
      line: EVA 150028 has a flexural modulus of 19 MPa (1% secant, ExxonMobil typical value). EVA 43031.CD has 9.6 MPa.
    - label: Softness
      benchmark: shore_a_hardness
      value: 75 Shore A for EVA 150028
      line: EVA 150028 has a Shore A hardness of 75 at 15 sec, and EVA 43031.CD has 63.
    - label: Stretch
      benchmark: elongation
      value: 522 % for EVA 150028
      line: EVA 150028 elongates 522 % at break. EVA 43031.CD is printed as more than 723 %.
    - label: Melting
      benchmark: melting_point
      value: 66 °C for EVA 150028
      line: The datasheet peak melting temperatures are 66 °C for EVA 150028 and 59 °C for EVA 43031.CD. The two SDS ranges are wider, at 35 to 110 °C for the copolymer and 60 to 105 °C for the Hanwha family.
  compare: The two ExxonMobil grades differ in vinyl acetate content (27.6 wt% against 31.4 wt%), and that gap shows in their datasheet values. EVA 43031.CD has a higher density (0.955 g/cm3 against 0.945 g/cm3), a lower peak melting temperature (59 °C against 66 °C) and a lower flexural modulus (9.6 MPa against 19 MPa). The SDS melting ranges are wider than either datasheet value, and the sources do not agree on one melting point for EVA, so both values are shown side by side. This profile does not rank EVA against other polymers, because the other profiles use different grades and test conditions.
  compare_rows:
    - label: Density
      benchmark: density
    - label: Melt index
      benchmark: melt_flow_rate
    - label: Vicat softening temperature
      benchmark: vicat_softening_temperature
  handling:
    - Name the grade, because vinyl acetate content changes the melting point, stiffness and density between grades.
    - Avoid dust. The ExxonMobil SDS says to vacuum dust with a HEPA filter and not to dry sweep, and it warns of an explosible dust-air mixture.
    - Hot material can cause thermal burns, so use protective equipment and cool molten material with cold water.
    - Keep away from heat, sparks and flames, and from strong oxidizing agents and amines, per the Hanwha SDS.
    - Avoid elevated temperatures for prolonged periods, per the ExxonMobil SDS.
  good_for:
    - Adhesive and sealant use. EVA 150028 has a melt index of 150 g/10 min at 190 °C/2.16 kg and a peak melting temperature of 66 °C, per its datasheet.
    - Flexible parts. EVA 150028 has a Shore A hardness of 75 and an elongation at break of 522 %.
    - Wire and cable compounds. EVA 43031.CD is listed for these, with a melt index of 43 g/10 min.
  watch_out:
    - 'Ageing: the 1983 JPL abstract reports acetic acid among the volatile products at higher temperatures. No retention figure after UV exposure was read.'
    - 'Melting range: the datasheets give peak melting temperatures of 66 °C and 59 °C, while the SDS ranges run to 110 °C, so the value depends on the source.'
    - 'Carcinogenicity: the ExxonMobil SDS says the product ''May cause cancer'', based on its vinyl acetate component.'
    - 'Acetic acid: heat and hydrolysis can form acetic acid, and the SDS lists it among thermal degradation products.'
  verdict: 'EVA is a practical, low-melting copolymer whose datasheet values for two ExxonMobil grades are well sourced, but its ageing data are thin: one 1983 abstract, and no flight, erosion or outgassing values for EVA were found in this run.'