Aluminum Metapor
also Metapor B, Metapor BF
Metapor is a permeable (porous) aluminium-based material from Portec (Switzerland), made by pressing and curing aluminium powder with an epoxy binder into an interconnected micropore structure.
Metapor tempers and conditions
Metapor is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard supply condition | Default stocked form: fully cured Metapor plate or block, ready to be milled into mold inserts and vacuum plates. | 20 | 1 | 30 HB | 2 W/m·K | |
Metapor B | Standard permeability grade for thermoforming and vacuum-forming molds and vacuum clamping plates. | 20 | 1 | 30 HB | 2 W/m·K | |
Metapor BF | Finer pore structure for smoother part surfaces and finer powders/films, at the cost of lower air flow than B. | 24 | 0.9 | 35 HB | 2 W/m·K |
What is Metapor?
Metapor is a permeable (porous) aluminium-based material from Portec (Switzerland), made by pressing and curing aluminium powder with an epoxy binder into an interconnected micropore structure. It passes air at roughly 0.5–2 bar differential pressure without letting granulate through, so it is used for thermoforming and vacuum forming molds, blister tooling, vacuum clamping fixtures and vent inserts, and it is milled, drilled and ground like cast aluminium with no drilled vent holes needed. Strength, stiffness and temperature capability are far below dense aluminium alloys — the epoxy binder phase generally limits service to about 130–140 °C — and it cannot be welded or conventionally anodized. Metapor has a density of 2.1 g/cm³ (0.0759 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of aluminum grades. Metapor has a tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi), weaker than 100% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 12 GPa (1.74 Msi).
What is Metapor used for?
- Vacuum forming molds
- Thermoforming tools
- Blister and skin packaging molds
- Vacuum clamping fixtures and chucks
- Venting inserts for molds
- Prototype forming tools
Advantages
- Lightweight — 2.1 g/cm³ (0.0759 lb/in³), better than 100% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 12 GPa (1.74 Msi), worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 1.6 W/m·K (0.924 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 0/100, worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 15/100, worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
Metapor properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical1
Metapor has a density of 2.1 g/cm³ (0.0759 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of aluminum grades.
Mechanical5
Metapor has a tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi), weaker than 100% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 12 GPa (1.74 Msi).
Thermal5
Metapor is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °F). It conducts heat at 1.6 W/m·K (0.924 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 26 µm/m·K (14.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), better than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability1
Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability5
Metapor's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades); weldability not recommended (0/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. Metapor is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Metapor
Is Metapor easy to machine?
Mill/drill dry with sharp carbide or PCD tooling and vacuum extraction; avoid coolant and smearing so the pores stay open, then de-clog with compressed air.
Can Metapor be welded?
Not weldable or brazeable — join by bolting, doweling or epoxy bonding to a solid aluminium backing plate.
Can Metapor be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as plate/block and shaped only by machining; sealed edges and a plenum groove define the vacuum zones.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to Metapor. Every Metapor part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent85 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Metapor chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| epoxy binderthermoset matrix bonding the metal particles; sets the temperature limit | 15 – 25 | 20 |
| Alaluminium powder/granulate, roughly 75–85 wt%; open porosity ~20–30 vol% | balance |
What surface finishes work on Metapor?
Leave as-machined or lightly bead-blast; do not polish, paint, seal or anodize working faces, as any coating closes the permeability.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum Metapor in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Metapor BMetapor BF
How much does Metapor cost?
Metapor is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), cheaper than about 58% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Metapor — frequently asked
What is Metapor used for?
Metapor is typically used for vacuum forming molds, thermoforming tools, blister and skin packaging molds, vacuum clamping fixtures and chucks, venting inserts for molds and prototype forming tools. In short: air permeable; porous vacuum mold.
What is the tensile strength of Metapor?
Metapor has a typical tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) — weaker than 100% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Metapor easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades). Mill/drill dry with sharp carbide or PCD tooling and vacuum extraction; avoid coolant and smearing so the pores stay open, then de-clog with compressed air.
Can Metapor be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (0/100). Not weldable or brazeable — join by bolting, doweling or epoxy bonding to a solid aluminium backing plate.
What surface finishes work on Metapor?
Leave as-machined or lightly bead-blast; do not polish, paint, seal or anodize working faces, as any coating closes the permeability.
Can Metapor be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as plate/block and shaped only by machining; sealed edges and a plenum groove define the vacuum zones.
What is the maximum service temperature of Metapor?
Metapor is rated for continuous use to about 130°C (266 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Metapor cost?
Metapor is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), cheaper than about 58% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in Metapor?
Yes — Metapor is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Metapor air-permeable aluminium (B / BF series) technical data — Portec AG (2022)
- Porous tooling materials for vacuum and thermoforming molds — comparative data — FabDigit internal compilation (2025)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 7 — Powder Metal Technologies and Applications (porous metal properties) — ASM International (1998)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.