Aluminum Metapor-BF (Metapor BF)
Grade
also Metapor B, Metapor BF
Finer pore structure for smoother part surfaces and finer powders/films, at the cost of lower air flow than B.
Values for the BF condition
Other Metapor tempers and conditions
Metapor is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at Metapor.
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 |
BFThis page 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-BF?
Metapor-BF is Metapor in the BF grade — finer pore structure for smoother part surfaces and finer powders/films, at the cost of lower air flow than B. Metapor-BF has a tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi), weaker than 100% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 0.9% and the elastic modulus is 13 GPa (1.89 Msi). Metapor-BF has a density of 2.15 g/cm³ (0.0777 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of aluminum grades.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 2.15 g/cm³ (0.0777 lb/in³), better than 100% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 13 GPa (1.89 Msi), worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 1.8 W/m·K (1.04 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 — 0.9%, worse than 97% of aluminum grades
Metapor-BF properties
Typical room-temperature values for Metapor-BF; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Metapor reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical1
Metapor-BF has a density of 2.15 g/cm³ (0.0777 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of aluminum grades.
Mechanical5
Metapor-BF has a tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi), weaker than 100% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 0.9% and the elastic modulus is 13 GPa (1.89 Msi).
Thermal5
Metapor-BF is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °F). It conducts heat at 1.8 W/m·K (1.04 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-BF's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades); weldability not recommended (0/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Metapor-BF
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.
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.
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 | — |
Metapor-BF — frequently asked
What is Metapor-BF used for?
Metapor-BF 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-BF?
Metapor-BF has a typical tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) — weaker than 100% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Metapor-BF 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-BF 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-BF?
Leave as-machined or lightly bead-blast; do not polish, paint, seal or anodize working faces, as any coating closes the permeability.
Can Metapor-BF 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-BF?
Metapor-BF 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Metapor-BF?
Yes — Metapor-BF 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.