SAN Foam Core A vs SAN Foam Core M100
Composite · SAN Foam Core grade comparison
SAN Foam Core A and SAN Foam Core M100 are two grades of the same composite grade, SAN Foam Core: A (solution annealed) versus M100 (100 kg/m³ marine SAN foam). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. SAN Foam Core M100 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 2 MPa (0.319 ksi) against 2 MPa (0.276 ksi) for SAN Foam Core A, about 16% more. SAN Foam Core A is lighter (0.09 g/cm³ vs 0.11 g/cm³ for SAN Foam Core M100) and SAN Foam Core M100 is stiffer (0.09 GPa vs 0.08 GPa).
SAN Foam Core AChoose it when weight is the constraint.
SAN Foam Core M100Choose it when strength drives the design.
SAN Foam Core A vs SAN Foam Core M100: 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.
SAN Foam Core ASAN Foam Core M100
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 105°C221 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.2%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.04 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 1,400 J/kg·K0.33 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 60 µm/m·K33.3 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 70°C158 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 19% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 90°C194 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 1.08 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
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.
Machinability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.5 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.
SAN Foam Core A vs SAN Foam Core M100 — frequently asked
Is SAN Foam Core M100 stronger than SAN Foam Core A?
Yes. SAN Foam Core M100 has a typical tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.319 ksi) against 2 MPa (0.276 ksi) for SAN Foam Core A — about 16% more.
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, A or M100?
M80 is the default SAN Foam Core condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither A nor M100). 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 SAN Foam Core A over SAN Foam Core M100?
Pick SAN Foam Core A when weight is the constraint. Pick SAN Foam Core M100 when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SAN Foam Core A and SAN Foam Core M100 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.