Characterization of Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) Using Thermal Analytical Techniques

Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate (VA). It is important to determine the VA content of EVA, since the properties of EVA depend highly on the VA content. EVA copolymers have been used in a wide range of applications appropriate for the different VA contents. IR, NMR, and TGA are generally used for determination of the VA content of EVA copolymers. Of these, TGA is the most reliable method and can be applied to cured EVAs. Analytical methods for determination of the VA content and properties of EVA copolymers via TGA were herein reviewed. Thermal behaviors of EVA copolymers (glass transition temperature ($T_g$), melting point ($T_m$), and crystallization temperature ($T_c$)) determined by DSC were also reviewed. Analysis of the related literature revealed that the $T_g$, $T_m$, and $T_c$ decrease by about 0.46, 1.36, and $2.08^{\circ}C$, respectively, for every 1 wt% in VA content. A method for determining the degree of crosslinking of cured EVA copolymers was also reviewed, and the degree of crosslinking tends to increase with the decrease in the VA content.