PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A vs PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF
Composite · PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) grade comparison
PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A and PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF are two grades of the same composite grade, PMI Foam Core (Rohacell): A (solution annealed) versus HF (high-frequency / radome dielectric grade). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 2 MPa (0.29 ksi) against 2 MPa (0.232 ksi) for PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF, about 25% more. In exchange, PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF is the more ductile: elongation 3.5% versus 3% for PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A. PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF is lighter (0.05 g/cm³ vs 0.08 g/cm³ for PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A) and PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A is stiffer (0.09 GPa vs 0.07 GPa).
PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) AChoose it when strength drives the design.
PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HFChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A vs PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all composite grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all composite grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) APMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Same in both: Shear Modulus 0.03 GPa0 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Compressive Modulus 0.09 GPa0.01 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 210°C410 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,500 J/kg·K0.36 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 35 µm/m·K19.4 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 180°C356 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 200°C392 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 25 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Same in both: Machinability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 6.5 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 0%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every composite grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A vs PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF — frequently asked
Is PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A stronger than PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF?
Yes. PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A has a typical tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.29 ksi) against 2 MPa (0.232 ksi) for PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF — about 25% more.
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, A or HF?
71IG-F is the default PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither A nor HF). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
When should I choose PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A over PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF?
Pick PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A when strength drives the design. Pick PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) A and PMI Foam Core (Rohacell) HF side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.