EVA Foam

[Leigh Costello]

Hi everyone. I have a customer that has some EVA foam and wants to know if we can laser cut it. I cannot find the MDS on this stuff. Anyone ever work with it before?

Thanks.

[Joe Pelonio]

It may be the same as "fun foam" which I have cut and engraved, and is endorsed by Epilog on their website. Look for the msds under "Ethylene Vinyl Acetate".

http://www.epiloglaser.com/sc_foam.htm


(http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=8&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcc.com.tw%2Fchinese%2Fmsds%2 Fpdf%2FMY-EVA-VC-DA-901.pdf&ei=GpSWRs-cL4r-gwPPk-HwBg&usg=AFQjCNFE9r41JCokw358FBf2axRXv6fqjg&sig2=Gu0TssAMtRX9UgD6pyjc3Q)

[Leigh Costello]

Thanks, Joe. I have cut the FunFoam and had great results. I have been searching for a US supplier (yes, a little patriotic and narrow minded about my materials). I did some research and came up with this EVA foam as a possible substitute. The msds info I have is "may release fumes Hydrogen Bromide and/or other toxic gases." I was hoping someone concurred on the similarities.

[Joe Pelonio]

Everything we cut or engrave will produce some kind of toxic gasses, the question is the "acceptible" level. Even Hydrogen Bromide has exposure limits if you check with OSHA. I'd probably avoid burning a pile of it in a bonfire, and don't stand there breathing in front of your exhaust vent, but I think the amount you will produce with the laser is minimal.

Of course I'm not a chemical engineer.

[Leigh Costello]

Joe,
I suppose the OSHA regs are not very forgiving of much. Thanks for your help. I will let you know how this project turns out.
Leigh