Comparison
EVA High VA Hotmelt vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (High VA) for Hot Melt Adhesives and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
0.950-0.970 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
<0.5 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Translucent to opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
2-4 %
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
0.01-0.1 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
3-10 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
500-900 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
No Break
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
-30 to -10 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
30-60 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
40-50 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
10-20 °C
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
2.8-3.5
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹²-10¹³ Ω⋅cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
6-12 kV/mm
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance
Fair
Bases
Good resistance
Poor
Solvents
Good resistance at room temp, swells in hot aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons
—
UV Resistance
Poor (requires stabilization)
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (often as part of mixed materials)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
4 (PE-LD or PE-LLD)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %