Ethylene Vinyl Acetate–EVA–is a copolymer, or the joining of two plastics in the same polymer chain. In this case, the two plastics are vinyl acetate and ethylene. EVA is sometimes known as PEVA or poly-ethylene-vinyl acetate.
EVA can produce materials that are rubber-like in flexibility and softness. Beyond that, EVA can be glossy or clear, and resistant to stress-cracking, UV radiation, and damage resulting from very high or very low temperatures. EVA is extremely useful in manufacturing, well beyond the shoe industry. Often, EVA is pitted against vinyl polymer and rubber as a material for electrical applications.
