Features and Benefits of ENGAGE in Footwear Foams

ENGAGE
Polyolefin Elastomers

Introduction
The use ENGAGE
TM
a modifier for ethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA) used to produce footwear foams has been found
to provide value and advantage at several levels of the marketing channelfrom foam manufacturer to end user.
Footwear manufacturers to date have relied on the established industry standard, EVA, to provide the cushioning
properties, low specific gravity, abrasion resistance and ease of processing to keep pace with rapidly advancing
footwear design and technology.
The purpose of this document is to outline the features and benefits of ENGAGE for use as a modifier of EVA
intended for use in footwear foam applications.

Benefits of Crosslinked Foams from ENGAGE or ENGAGE-EVA Blends
Higher quality foam due to better polymer consistencyboth physical properties and foam expansion
Improved resilience
Lighter foams at equivalent hardness
Improved abrasion resistance
Lower shrinkage
Reduced peroxide consumption (high molecular weight grades)

ote that two or more grades of ENGAGE can be combined to precisely
control hardness over a wide range.
Figure 1: ENGA


ENGAGEEVA Resin Comparisons (Non-foam)
Feature: ENGAGE hardness correlates with density; EVA is specified by % VA content. In both materials, %
crystallinity determines polymer stiffness. The chart below allows selection of the correct density ENGAGE to
match the hardness of EVA in use. N
GE and EVA Compositions of Equivalent Crystallinity

eature: ENGAGE is always lower density than EVA of equivalent hardness, especially at high VA content.

o. 774-00051-0905
pany (Dow) or an affiliated company of Dow
E
N
G
A
G
E

Benefit: Low density ENGAGE (0.885 g/cc or less) can replace high VA content EVA.
F











Form N
Page 1 of 5 Trademark of The Dow Chemical Com

Figure 2: Hardness versus Density, ENGAGE and EVA

AGE can produce lighter foams at equivalent hardness.
eature: High molecular weight ENGAGE (melt index 1.0 or less) cures faster than typical EVA used in footwear
pplications.

Figure 3: ODR
Benefit: ENG
F
a

Cure Curves, ENGAGE versus EVA 170C (338F), 3 Arc, 0.8 phr DCP

enefit: ENGAGE requires less peroxide, which means lower cost and less yellowing.
eature: ENGAGE has better abrasion resistance and resilience than EVA of equivalent hardness.

Figure 4: Rebound

B
F

nce versus Hardness, ENGAGE versus EVA 0.8 phr DiCup R Resilie



Form No. 774-00051-0905
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ENGAGE
ENGAGE
ENGAGE
ENGAGE




Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) or an affiliated company of Dow

Figure 5: Abrasion Resistance, ENGAGE versus EVA

B
midsoles, and makes sockliners mo
enefit: ENGAGE provides better durability for sandals and unit soles, improves cushioning and rebound for
re comfortable.
he 18% EVA. Resilience increases with increasing DCP level
nd decreasing ENGAGE density. In most cases, the addition of ENGAGE having a density of 0.885 g/cc or less
an EVA foam formulation improves resilience.
Figure 6: Foam

EVAENGAGE Foam Blends
Feature: Low levels of ENGAGE (0.885 density or less) can be blended with 18% VA content EVA to improve
resilience.
Detail: The chart below shows how rebound resilience depends on peroxide content dicumyl peroxide, (DCP),
level) and the density of ENGAGE used to modify t
a
to

Resilience versus ENGAGE Density 20% ENGAGE in EVA (18% VA)


ENGAGE
ENGAGE
Benefit: ENGAGE increases resilience of EVA foam without the cost of high VA content EVA or the processing
itations and yellowing of natural rubber.
and the density of ENGAGE. Foam shrinkage decreases with increasing density of both foam and ENGAGE. In
most cases, adding ENGAGE of 0.87 g/cc density or greater to an EVA foam formulation decreases shrinkage.

Form No. 774-00051-0905
Page 3 of 5 Tra ow
lim
Feature: ENGAGE can be blended into 18% VA content EVA to reduce foam shrinkage.

Detail: The chart below shows how foam shrinkage during oven aging (70C [158F] at 4 hr) is affected by foam











demark of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) or an affiliated company of D

Figure 7: Foam Shrinkage vs. Fo %VA) am and ENGAGE Density, 20% ENGAGE in EVA (18

enefit: ENGAGE improves midsole size consistency.



Typical Bun Foam Formulation
(ENGAGE Replacing High VA Content EVA)
B
Table 1
Ingredients phr
ENGAGE 8003
de (Pure)
(Azodicarbamide)
xide
0.5
1.5

F)

rties after Phylon Molding
n on)
F) at 6 hr, %
Shrink 1 hr, 70C (158F), % 1.2
Falling Ball Rebound, % 48
25
EVA (18% VA) 75
CaCO3 5
Dicumyl Peroxi 0.4
Blowing Agent 4.3
Zinc O 0.5
Zinc Stearate
TiO2
Mix Temperature: 100110C (212230F)
Bun Cure: 155165C (311328F), 1.2 min/mm
Phylon Molding: 40% Compression, 150C (302
Typical Prope
Hardness (Asker C, Ski 53
Density, g/cc 0.21
Tensile Strength, MPa 17
Elongation, % 450
Compression Set, 45C (114 40























Form No. 774-00051-0905
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www.dowplastics.com Published August 2005










Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 774-00051-0905