Patent ID: 7939607

Claim:
A method for producing an at least partially cross-linked ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, having a melt index (MI) value and a tensile strength, comprising blending from about 0.03 to about 0.25 weight percent of an organic peroxide with an EVA copolymer, having a MI value and a tensile strength, containing from about 2 to about 80 weight percent units derived from vinyl acetate at a temperature sufficient to initiate cross-linking, wherein: a. the MI value of the at least partially cross-linked EVA copolymer in g/10 min (190° C., 2.16 kg) is less than or equal to 10% of the MI value of the EVA copolymer prior to cross-linking, and b. the tensile strength of the at least partially cross-linked EVA copolymer is at least 5 MPa greater than the tensile strength of the EVA copolymer prior to cross-linking.