---
title: "EVA foam — density, melting point and properties"
description: "EVA foam has a density of 100 kg/m³ (35–250). Melting point, strength, conductivity, what it is used for, and whether it floats, rusts or is magnetic."
url: https://atoneplace.net/material/eva-foam/
site: "At One Place"
---

# EVA foam

**Density of EVA foam: 100 kg/m³ (35–250)**

0.10 g/cm³ · 6.2 lb/ft³

Unlike expanded polystyrene it rebounds instead of crushing permanently, which is why it is under every running shoe and why a gym mat survives being dropped on repeatedly. The density band here is enormous because the same chemistry is blown from soft 35 kg/m³ packaging foam to firm 250 kg/m³ floor tile. It heat-forms with a hot air gun at around 100 °C and holds the new shape on cooling, which is the whole basis of prop and costume armour making.

## Properties

- **Density:** 100 kg/m³ (35–250) — 0.10 g/cm³
- **Tensile strength:** 1–4 MPa
- **Thermal conductivity:** 0.04 W/(m·K)
- **Floats in water:** Yes
- **Magnetic:** No

## What it is used for

- Running shoe midsoles
- Interlocking gym and garage floor tiles
- Cosplay armour and prop making
- Tool case inserts and yoga mats

## How it compares

*Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything with a shorter bar than water floats in it.*

- air: 1.2 kg/m³
- expanded polystyrene foam: 20 kg/m³
- rigid polyurethane foam: 40 kg/m³
- EVA foam: 100 kg/m³
- Water — the float line: 1,000 kg/m³
- tungsten: 19,250 kg/m³
- gold: 19,300 kg/m³
- platinum: 21,450 kg/m³

*Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything below that floats.*

| Material | Density | Relative to water |
| --- | --- | --- |
| rigid polyurethane foam | 40 kg/m³ | 0.04× |
| expanded polystyrene foam | 20 kg/m³ | 0.02× |
| air | 1.2 kg/m³ | 0.00× |
| EVA foam ← | 100 kg/m³ | 0.10× |
| platinum | 21,450 kg/m³ | 21.45× |
| gold | 19,300 kg/m³ | 19.30× |
| tungsten | 19,250 kg/m³ | 19.25× |

## Does it rust?

EVA foam contains no iron, so it cannot rust. Whether it degrades depends on the material, not on oxidation.

## Is it magnetic?

EVA foam is not a metal and has no ferromagnetic response.

## Common questions

### What is the density of EVA foam?

100 kg/m³ (35–250), or 0.10 g/cm³.

### Does EVA foam float?

Yes. At 100 kg/m³ it is less dense than water's 1,000.

### Is EVA foam magnetic?

EVA foam is not a metal and has no ferromagnetic response.

## Related pages

- [Does EVA foam float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/eva-foam/)
- [PLA](https://atoneplace.net/material/pla/)
- [ABS](https://atoneplace.net/material/abs/)
- [Acrylic (PMMA)](https://atoneplace.net/material/acrylic/)
- [Polycarbonate](https://atoneplace.net/material/polycarbonate/)
- [Polypropylene](https://atoneplace.net/material/polypropylene/)
- [PTFE](https://atoneplace.net/material/ptfe/)
- [Rigid PVC](https://atoneplace.net/material/pvc-rigid/)
- [HDPE](https://atoneplace.net/material/hdpe/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)