EVA rubber, also known as foamy, It is one of the most used materials to make crafts, in addition to presenting other uses. Being flexible allows great versatility at the time of create figures of all kinds, allowing our creativity to soar without limits. It is very economical And it allows us to make all kinds of ingenuities with our hands, since it can be drawn on it by creating molds and then making the items that we most want.
Actually EVA is the acronym for Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, that is, ethylvinylacetate, a thermoplastic polymer or, what is the same, flexible, malleable and heat moldable. As it can be combined with other materials, it is called foamy, which means «sparkling» or «fluffy.»
Characteristics
By reviewing each of its characteristics, we will appreciate its qualities. On the one hand it is a material on which you can draw and it is easy to cut, paste and paint. Therefore, it lends itself to making a multitude of figures. In addition, it has an important characteristic and that is that it sticks very well with liquid silicone or, in any case, with special glues for EVA rubber. It is also sewn and easily adheres to plastic, fabric, wall and most surfaces.
It is very easy to cut with scissors or a utility knife. And if you want to paint over it, it is possible to resort to any painting technique used on cardstock, canvas, or fabric: acrylics, oil, watercolor, markers …
It is 94% waterproof and washes very well, so that many times homemade rugs are made with it, since passing over a damp cloth it is perfectly clean. In this sense, it is a good resource for make costumes or accessories, such as shields, hats or masks.
The EVA rubber used in crafts has no toxic components and can be recycled. Another different matter is the one that is destined for the industry and that to us, initially, it will not reach us because it is not acquired in conventional stores.
Another of its singularities is that deforms if subjected to a certain temperature. When heat is applied, it molds easilygiving it the shape we want. Then we let it cool for about nine seconds and we will achieve that the new look that we have molded is final. This makes it possible to be suitable for pyrography, a method that consists of applying heat with hair dryers or irons, allowing texturing, making reliefs and making drawings or grooves on the surface.
For all these singularities, it is considered a highly recommended material for children to exercise their imagination without any risk and that is why it is used in many schools.
Your applications
In addition to using it to make crafts, both for our entertainment and to teach it to our grandchildren, this polymer is very useful for many things. Although it therefore supposes a hobby option to enjoy at home, the truth is that it has a wide variety of applications.
It is used a lot in scenography for the theater, in the world of art or window dressing. You sure did not know that most shoe floors are EVA rubber and that is also present in some orthopedic products such as the lining of insoles or the filling of prostheses.
One of the artistic techniques that has given rise to this material is Foamy Art, which is based on using the foamy in order to scenography work for schools or exhibitions on a small or large scale. It is ideal for making models of buildings and architectural constructions.
In martial arts, EVA rubber is useful for cover the floor and pad the corners or protrusions and thus cushion the blows. Anti-slip mats, screen protectors for mobile phones, a variety of household items … Their presence among us is more extensive than we surely thought.
How to get it
We can buy it in stationery stores, but there are different formats. Choosing one or the other will depend on the purpose that we are going to give it. Generally, we find it in rectangular sheets with different thickness. Is about large plates in a variety of colors.
The normal thing is to find it in rolls, chips, sheets, strips and plates of different volumes and sizes. We have them self-adhesive, magnetic, wavy and non-slip. The thicknesses vary, the most common for crafts being between 1 and 3 millimeters. In the industrial field these are different, mainly they are thicker, although it depends on what they are used for.
There are options with textures, so they present different reliefs and shapes. Sometimes they have sequins, glitter or prints, among other possibilities.
