SAN Foam Core A vs SAN Foam Core T
Composite · SAN Foam Core grade comparison
SAN Foam Core A and SAN Foam Core T are two grades of the same composite grade, SAN Foam Core: A (solution annealed) versus T (t-series). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. SAN Foam Core T is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 2 MPa (0.348 ksi) against 2 MPa (0.276 ksi) for SAN Foam Core A, about 26% more. SAN Foam Core A is lighter (0.09 g/cm³ vs 0.12 g/cm³ for SAN Foam Core T) and SAN Foam Core T is stiffer (0.11 GPa vs 0.08 GPa).
SAN Foam Core AChoose it when weight is the constraint.
SAN Foam Core TChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
SAN Foam Core A vs SAN Foam Core T: 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 T
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Compressive Modulus 0.07 GPa0.01 Msi
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.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: 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 · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 19%
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 T — frequently asked
Is SAN Foam Core T stronger than SAN Foam Core A?
Yes. SAN Foam Core T has a typical tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.348 ksi) against 2 MPa (0.276 ksi) for SAN Foam Core A — about 26% more.
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, A or T?
M80 is the default SAN Foam Core condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither A nor T). 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 T?
Pick SAN Foam Core A when weight is the constraint. Pick SAN Foam Core T when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SAN Foam Core A and SAN Foam Core T 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.