Nanocomposites of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and clay were prepared by melt blending and extrusion. Two different compatibilizers, ethylene glycidyl methacrylate (EGMA) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP), were used in these nanocomposites. The structural properties of the composites were characterized with X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The surface morphology was characterized with polarized optical microscopy. The tensile and permeability properties were studied. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites was characterized through thermogravirnetric analysis. MAPP-compatibilized nanocomposites had intercalated and partially exfoliated structures, whereas EGMA-compatibilized nanocomposites had completely exfoliated structures. The EGMA-compatibilized nanocomposites were thermally more stable than the MAPP-compatibilized nanocomposites. The mechanical and permeability properties of the EGMA-compatibilized nanocomposites were better than those of the MAPP-cornpatibilized nanocomposites. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.