| HS Code | 541432 |
| Vinyl Acetate Content | 33 wt% |
| Melt Flow Rate 190 C 2 16kg | 2.5 g/10min |
| Density | 0.954 g/cm³ |
| Hardness Shore A | 84 |
| Melting Point Dsc | 73°C |
| Vicat Softening Point | 55°C |
| Brittleness Temperature | -60°C |
| Tensile Strength At Break | 13.5 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 800% |
| Tear Strength | 40 N/mm |
| Ring And Ball Softening Point | 135°C |
| Volume Resistivity | 10^15 Ω·cm |
As an accredited EVATHENE UE33002 EVA Copolymer Resin,33% VA,Foam & Footwear Grade factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | EVATHENE UE33002 EVA Copolymer Resin, 33% VA, Foam & Footwear Grade, supplied in 25 kg multi-wall paper bags. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | EVATHENE UE33002 EVA resin loaded as 25kg bags on pallets, shrink-wrapped, into 20′ FCL for safe, efficient transport. |
| Shipping | Ship EVATHENE UE33002 EVA Copolymer Resin as 25 kg bags or jumbo bags on pallets, stretch-wrapped for protection. Keep sealed, dry, and away from heat and direct sunlight. Material is non-hazardous, but avoid dust accumulation. Use covered containers or dry vans to prevent moisture contamination during transit. |
| Storage | Store EVATHENE UE33002 EVA copolymer resin in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, and ignition sources. Keep original packaging sealed to prevent moisture absorption and contamination. Avoid high humidity and extreme temperatures. Maintain good housekeeping to prevent dust accumulation. Under proper storage conditions, material remains stable and suitable for foam and footwear processing within its designated shelf life. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 2 years when stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. |
Selecting UE33002 as the sole polymer in a compression-moulded midsole compound gives a 33% vinyl acetate fraction that lowers practical mixing temperature on a two-roll mill to 95–110°C. The base resin has a nominal density of 0.95 g/cm³ and a melt index of 1.5 g/10 min by ASTM D1238 at 190°C/2.16 kg. A production-scale internal mixer of 55 L working volume can disperse azodicarbonamide, dicumyl peroxide, zinc oxide, zinc stearate, and mineral filler into the melt without scorch when the batch is held at 100–115°C for 8–11 min. A representative starting formulation is UE33002 100 phr, azodicarbonamide 4.2–5.4 phr, dicumyl peroxide 0.60–0.85 phr, zinc oxide 1.0–1.8 phr, zinc stearate 0.8–1.2 phr, and precipitated calcium carbonate 5–10 phr where Shore C hardness above 55 is required for a denser midsole. After dropping and sheeting to 2–4 mm, the compound is die-cut and cured in a 300-ton compression press at 168–175°C for 7–9 min under 12–15 MPa cavity pressure. Production batches exhibit density variation of ±0.02 g/cm³ when mill temperature drifts above 105°C because azodicarbonamide gas is lost before press cure. Foam density is normally controlled between 0.18 and 0.28 g/cm³. The finished midsole is tested for density to ISO 845, tensile strength and elongation to ISO 1798, compression set to ASTM D395 Method B at 50°C, and hardness to ASTM D2240 Shore C. Export footwear articles are reviewed against REACH Annex XVII entry 50 for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the AFIRM RSL for residual blowing agent decomposition products.
Continuous oven curing of UE33002 foam sheet becomes unstable when the azodicarbonamide gas yield outpaces the gelation reaction. In a hot-air tunnel at 170–180°C, the dicumyl peroxide half-life is short enough that crosslinking torque develops within 3–5 min, but azodicarbonamide decomposition in the presence of zinc oxide begins near 165°C and releases gas rapidly. If the sheet surface reaches 170°C before the core reaches 165°C, a dense skin forms and traps gas in the centre, producing split sheets and density variation above 0.03 g/cm³ across a 1 m width. A representative oven-cured sheet formulation uses UE33002 100 phr, azodicarbonamide 3.8–5.6 phr, dicumyl peroxide 0.70–1.0 phr, zinc oxide 1.0–1.5 phr, zinc stearate 0.8–1.2 phr, and calcium carbonate 0–15 phr depending on target density. Compounding is performed on a co-rotating twin-screw extruder with 36:1 L/D and atmospheric venting at melt temperature 95–110°C. The strand is pelletised and then re-extruded through a single-screw sheet die or calendered to 8–20 mm before curing. Terminal articles include die-cut insole boards, laminated footbed sheets, and padded collars. Residual blowing agent decomposition products are evaluated by volatile organic compound headspace methods required by footwear brand RSL programmes, while the foam itself is declared under EU REACH when the annual volume exceeds the registration threshold.
| Article Stage | Standard Designation | Clause / Method | Measured Parameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crosslinked foam density | ISO 845:2006 | — | Apparent density after conditioning at 23°C/50% RH |
| Foam tensile and elongation | ISO 1798:2008 | — | Tensile strength and strain at break of flexible cellular material |
| Compression set | ASTM D395-18 | Method B | Residual deformation at 50% deflection and specified temperature |
| Hardness | ASTM D2240-15 | Shore C | Durometer hardness at 10 s reading |
| Tear strength | ISO 8067:2018 | Method A | Trouser tear strength of flexible cellular material |
| Low-temperature flex | ASTM D1052-09 | Ross flex | Cut growth resistance below 0°C |
A separate injection moulding route for UE33002 uses the same polymer in one-piece clogs, sandal uppers, and unitsole overmoulds, but the process differs sharply from compression moulding because the melt remains uncrosslinked and must fill a closed cavity without premature decomposition. Barrel profile from rear to nozzle is typically set at 120°C, 130°C, 140°C, 150°C, mould temperature at 25–35°C, injection speed at 20–40 mm/s, and hold pressure at 55–80 MPa. The screw should have a compression ratio of 2.0:1 to 2.5:1, with a non-return valve and a chrome-plated or nitrided surface to resist acetic acid corrosion generated by trace vinyl acetate breakdown. Compounds for injection moulding commonly contain 5–15 phr calcium carbonate for sink-mark control and 0.1–0.3 phr of a hindered phenolic antioxidant. Residence time above 8 min at barrel temperature is a known failure boundary: viscosity drops, the surface develops yellowing, and the moulded part exhibits weld-line cracking. Abrasion resistance of the finished outsole shell is measured by ISO 4649, while slip resistance is evaluated by EN 13287 or SATRA TM144 where safety-footwear marking is required. REACH Annex XVII entry 50 and the AFIRM RSL govern restricted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the finished article.
Calendered UE33002 foam sheet spans a wider density range than midsole boards because the calender gap and blowing agent ratio control expansion independently of compression moulding cavity volume. A three-roll calender with roll temperature 90–105°C turns the mixed compound into a continuous blank of 3–6 mm; the blank is then hot-pressed at 170–175°C or passed through a continuous double-belt oven. For low-density matting at 0.15–0.25 g/cm³, azodicarbonamide is raised to 5.0–6.5 phr and dicumyl peroxide is held at 0.65–0.80 phr; for high-density footbed board at 0.35–0.45 g/cm³, azodicarbonamide is reduced to 1.5–2.5 phr and calcium carbonate is increased to 15–25 phr. Calender rolls must remain below 105°C because the 33% VA grade becomes sufficiently soft at that temperature to stick to chrome surfaces and release unevenly. Density is measured after 72 h conditioning at 23°C/50% RH by ISO 845, and tensile behaviour is tested by ISO 1798. Terminal uses include die-cut footbed boards, protective padding, and anti-fatigue matting. If the matting is marketed for children’s play use, the finished article may fall under EN 71-3 migration limits for heavy metals; industrial matting is typically evaluated under REACH and the brand RSL rather than toy safety regulations.
For orthotic posting layers and diabetic footbed inserts, UE33002 at 33% VA is processed as a thin crosslinked foam sheet that is later heat-laminated to fabric or skived to contour. The higher VA content reduces modulus and improves conformability under low plantar pressures, but the same property lowers tensile strength compared with lower-VA EVA grades; therefore the foam is usually specified at 0.25–0.35 g/cm³ density to balance compression recovery and surface abrasion. A typical formulation uses UE33002 100 phr, azodicarbonamide 3.0–4.0 phr, dicumyl peroxide 0.70–0.90 phr, zinc oxide 0.8–1.2 phr, zinc stearate 0.8–1.2 phr, and optionally 10–15 phr EPDM to reduce compression set at body temperature. Crosslinking is completed in a hydraulic press at 170–175°C for 6–8 min, and the foam is conditioned for 24 h before slitting and skiving. Compression set is tested to ASTM D395 Method B at 37°C and 50% deflection to approximate body-temperature loading rather than the 50°C midsole protocol. Low-temperature flex crack resistance is evaluated by ASTM D1052 at -10°C after 2 h conditioning for cold-climate orthotic wear. Finished medical orthotic devices may require ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity testing on the final laminated assembly because the adhesive and fabric layers, not the UE33002 resin alone, determine biological response.
Direct extrusion of uncrosslinked UE33002 sheet, foxing strip, or toe puff profile imposes a narrower thermal window than compounding because the melt must remain viscous enough to hold a profile edge without crosslinking. A vented single-screw extruder of 32:1 L/D with barrel zones set at 110°C, 120°C, 130°C, 140°C and a die temperature of 145–150°C is sufficient for a 1–3 mm sheet. At 170°C or above, the vinyl acetate segments begin to liberate acetic acid, the melt index increases sharply, and the extrudate shows surface roughness, edge tear, and colour shift from translucent to yellow. Production-scale failure data show that a continuous run exceeding 170°C at the die for more than 15 min can require screw removal and polishing because of corrosion pitting on low-alloy steel surfaces. This is why chrome-plated screws and barrel liners are specified for UE33002 in profile extrusion. The uncrosslinked sheet is later thermoformed into toe puffs, counter stiffeners, or temporary footwear assembly forms. The process does not require azodicarbonamide or dicumyl peroxide, but may use 0.1–0.3 phr of a lubricant blend and 0.05–0.1 phr of an antioxidant. Finished components are tested for dimensional stability at 60°C for 4 h and for tensile strength to ISO 527-3 when film or sheet thickness permits.
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EVATHENE UE33002 is an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin with a nominal vinyl acetate content of 33% by weight, positioned as a foam and footwear grade for chemically blown, peroxide-cured midsole, sheet, and moulded sole compounds. The grade belongs to the high-VA segment of EVA copolymer resins, where vinyl acetate comonomer reduces polyethylene crystallinity and shifts the material from semi-rigid film and extrusion behaviour toward flexible, low-hardness elastomeric behaviour. The resin is supplied in pellet form and is intended for compounding with azodicarbonamide or endothermic blowing agents, dicumyl peroxide or other peroxides, fillers, and processing aids. The exact melt flow rate and additive package for UE33002 should be taken from the supplier certificate of analysis or product data sheet, because foam grades are frequently controlled within narrow lot-to-lot ranges to maintain uniform cell structure. The nominal 33% VA content itself distinguishes UE33002 from lower-VA EVA grades used in hot-melt adhesives, films, and extrusion coating, where vinyl acetate content is commonly 12% to 28%. Higher vinyl acetate content improves low-temperature flexibility and filler acceptance, but increases polarity, tack, and water absorption. These characteristics define the processing window and downstream formulation constraints.
Thermal analysis under ASTM D3418 for 33% VA EVA resins typically shows a broad melting endotherm between 60 °C and 85 °C, with peak location dependent on cooling rate and thermal history. The crystalline melting enthalpy is lower than that of 18% VA grades; class-typical values reported for high-VA EVA are in the range of 20 J/g to 35 J/g, while 18% VA grades may exceed 60 J/g. Melt flow rate is usually tested under ISO 1133-1:2022 at 190 °C/2.16 kg, and the result must be selected for the intended foam expansion ratio. Density is determined by ASTM D792; commercial 33% VA EVA resins often fall between 0.945 g/cm³ and 0.965 g/cm³. These class-typical values should not replace the UE33002 product data sheet because small shifts in vinyl acetate content and molecular weight alter melt viscosity and foaming behaviour. The resin’s low crystallinity also reduces the onset temperature for deformation under load and lowers Shore hardness at equivalent foam density compared with high-density polyethylene or lower-VA EVA.
For compression moulding of EVA foam sheet, the compound is first mixed in an internal Banbury-type mixer or on a two-roll mill. Mixing temperature is normally held between 90 °C and 110 °C to disperse zinc oxide, stearic acid, blowing agent, and peroxide without decomposing the peroxide or blowing agent. The azodicarbonamide blowing agent used in many footwear compounds has a decomposition peak near 204–215 °C in air, but exothermic decomposition can begin earlier at hot spots above 130 °C. The mixed compound is calendered or extruded into preforms, then placed into multi-opening hydraulic presses. Press temperatures of 160 °C to 175 °C are common for cure and blowing. During the press cycle, dicumyl peroxide crosslinking and azodicarbonamide gas generation overlap; the crosslinking reaction raises melt strength while gas expands to form the closed-cell structure. If cure is too fast relative to gas generation, expanding gas is trapped in over-crosslinked cells and tear strength decreases. If cure is too slow, cell walls may rupture under internal gas pressure, producing connected cells and internal splits. Production-scale presses with 500–1 500 t clamp force and multi-zone oil heating are used; part thickness determines cure time, with typical midsoles requiring 10–15 min for 10–15 mm thick sections. Gel content after cure is commonly checked by ASTM D2765 to ensure crosslink density; footwear foam specifications often require gel fraction in the range of 65–80% depending on hardness and rebound targets. Cured EVA foam midsoles with density 0.15–0.25 g/cm³ commonly exhibit tensile strength 1.5–2.5 MPa and elongation 200–350% under ASTM D412 or ASTM D3574; rebound resilience measured by ASTM D2632 is often 40–60% for standard midsoles.
When EVATHENE UE33002 is used as the base polymer in a footwear midsole compound, the 33% VA level lowers Shore A/D hardness and increases elongation relative to 18% VA or 28% VA EVA at equivalent foam density. The higher polarity of the acetate groups improves wetting of calcium carbonate, talc, and silica fillers, which can reduce cost and increase hardness; filler loadings above 20 phr in high-VA EVA may reduce tear strength and dynamic fatigue resistance. For athletic midsoles, Asker C hardness targets often fall between 45 and 60. A 33% VA grade reaches the same Asker C hardness at lower compound density or with less filler than a lower-VA grade, supporting lightweight designs. The trade-off is lower heat deflection and higher compression set if the peroxide cure is insufficient. Compared with 28% VA EVA, UE33002 shifts the continuous phase toward greater flexibility and lower melting point; compared with 18% VA EVA, it is softer and more tacky, which can increase sheet blocking after calendering if release agents are inadequate. Compared with olefin block copolymer or SEBS foam grades, EVATHENE UE33002 has higher filler acceptance and generally lower material cost, but higher compression set and lower elastic recovery. In running shoe midsoles requiring rebound above 60%, the compound may be blended with 10–30 phr polyolefin elastomer or EPDM to tune energy return.
| Parameter | 18% VA EVA | 28% VA EVA | 33% VA EVA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting peak range | 85–100 °C | 70–85 °C | 60–80 °C |
| Crystallinity | moderate | low | very low |
| Resin density | 0.935–0.945 g/cm³ | 0.945–0.955 g/cm³ | 0.945–0.965 g/cm³ |
| Shore hardness at equivalent foam density | higher | intermediate | lower |
| Low-temperature flexibility | lower | intermediate | higher |
| Filler wetting | lower | intermediate | higher |
| Tack and blocking tendency | lower | intermediate | higher |
The curing system must be matched to the thermal behaviour of the 33% VA resin. Dicumyl peroxide has a one-minute half-life temperature near 175 °C and a one-hour half-life temperature near 135 °C; this places the practical cure window for compression moulding between 160 °C and 175 °C. At mixing temperatures of 100–110 °C, peroxide decomposition rate is low enough for safe compounding, but local hot spots above 130 °C can initiate premature crosslinking. Azodicarbonamide decomposition generates approximately 220 mL/g of gas, mainly nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia; gas evolution rate depends on particle size, activator level, and the presence of zinc oxide or zinc stearate. In EVA foam formulations, zinc oxide at 1–3 phr and stearic acid at 0.5–1.0 phr are frequently used. Blowing agent dosage is typically 2.5–4.0 phr for sheet expansion ratios of 1.5–2.5 or higher. The 33% VA grade’s lower crystallinity improves gas solubility and cell expansion at lower melt temperatures, but higher VA polarity can increase moisture uptake during storage. If the resin is stored at relative humidity above 60%, pre-drying at 60–70 °C for 4–6 h is recommended before compounding to avoid surface defects and irregular cells caused by steam. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; these limits are derived from class-typical EVA foam processing practice and should be confirmed against the UE33002 supplier technical data sheet.
Injection moulding of footwear soles from EVATHENE UE33002 compounds is performed at barrel temperatures of 80 °C to 120 °C, with mould temperatures between 30 °C and 50 °C. The low melt temperature of 33% VA EVA reduces energy input relative to TPU or higher-density polyolefin elastomers, but the narrow thermal window between melt processing and peroxide or blowing-agent activation requires close control. Screw designs with L/D ratios of 24:1 to 32:1 are used for homogeneous melt distribution without excessive shear heating. If melt temperature exceeds 125 °C before the mould, azodicarbonamide decomposition may begin in the barrel, causing gas voids, screw slip, and part density variation. Back pressure and screw speed are set to keep melt temperature overshoot below 10 °C above setpoint. Production-scale twin-screw compounding of ADC-containing EVA has shown that batch-to-batch differences in melt flow rate of ±0.3 g/10 min can shift final foam density by 3–5% under otherwise fixed conditions, so incoming melt flow rate control is critical.
Quality release for the resin should include verification of nominal vinyl acetate content, melt flow rate, density, and moisture. The supplier certificate of analysis is the primary source for UE33002-specific values. Incoming inspection at the footwear manufacturer may add accelerated ageing, gel content after cure, and foam density checks. The table below lists common test methods used for EVA foam and footwear raw materials and cured compounds. Test method designations align with ASTM and ISO methods; local specifications may include additional customer-specific parameters. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; the receiving site should establish control limits from the certificate of analysis and incoming inspection rather than from generic tables.
| Property | Test Method | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Melt flow rate | ISO 1133-1:2022 / ASTM D1238 | Resin lot control |
| Density | ASTM D792 | Resin and foam density |
| Vinyl acetate content | ASTM D5594 / internal titration | Resin identity |
| Melting peak | ASTM D3418 | Thermal profile |
| Gel content | ASTM D2765 | Cured compound crosslink density |
| Compression set | ASTM D395 Method B | Foam recovery |
| Tear strength | ASTM D624 | Footwear durability |
| Hardness | Asker C / ASTM D2240 | Midsole and sole hardness |
Raw material declarations should include the supplier safety data sheet, REACH Annex XVII restricted substance status, and AFIRM RSL screening if the compound is destined for footwear. EVATHENE UE33002 should not be assumed to meet food-contact regulations; if a food-contact application is considered, the grade must be specifically confirmed under 21 CFR 177.1520 or equivalent. For footwear, the finished compound may be tested for specific aromatic amines from blowing agent residues or for formamide if blowing agent decomposition is incomplete. Ventilation and post-cure ageing are normally used to reduce residual gas; post-cure at 60–80 °C for 4–8 h is common for crosslinked EVA foam to stabilize dimensions and reduce odour. The grade is also not compatible with amine-based additives that may prematurely decompose peroxide or interfere with azodicarbonamide decomposition.
