Ethylene / vinylacetate EVA
The acronym EVA is used to describe a group of co-polymers.
Examples include cold-resistant extractable spouts of canisters, plastic sheets used in agriculture and horticulture, shrink-wraps (office supplies, solar modules), shower curtains, and flooring.
A subclass of EVAs extending up to 28%VA is mainly used as melt adhesive.
In photovoltaics, solar cells are embedded in EVA. In this process, the EVA contained in plastic sheets is melted at a temperature of about 150 °C (300 °F), becomes crystal clear and cross-links three-dimensionally. When cooled off, the resulting bond is highly durable and serves to protect the cells against environmental stress.
If VA content is higher than 30% (it may reach up to 90%), the resulting elastomer is similar to natural rubber. It is often called EVM (DIN I ISO 1629:1995), and is primarily used for shoe soles or as a polyblend together with other elastomers.
Leading supplies are – in order of market share:
Registered brand names include
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Greenflex
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Levapren
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Evatane
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Elvax
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Ultrathene (US)
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Miravithen
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Phylon
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Evasky
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