EPDM Foam vs PE Foam Board
Polymer · grade comparison
EPDM Foam and PE Foam Board are both polymer grades. EPDM Foam is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi) against 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi) for PE Foam Board, about 57% more. EPDM Foam is the more ductile: elongation 160% versus 80% for PE Foam Board. PE Foam Board is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.1 g/cm³ for EPDM Foam) and EPDM Foam is stiffer (0 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, PE Foam Board welds better (good vs poor) and PE Foam Board sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than EPDM Foam (premium, $$$).
EPDM FoamChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PE Foam BoardChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when it will be welded.
EPDM Foam vs PE Foam Board: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer 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 polymer 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compressive Modulus
Same in both: Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C) 15%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.04 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | EPDM Foam | PE Foam Board |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
EPDM Foam vs PE Foam Board — frequently asked
Is EPDM Foam stronger than PE Foam Board?
Yes. EPDM Foam has a typical tensile strength of 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi) against 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi) for PE Foam Board — about 57% more.
Which is cheaper, EPDM Foam or PE Foam Board?
PE Foam Board is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while EPDM Foam is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, EPDM Foam or PE Foam Board?
PE Foam Board. Its weldability rates good (60/100) against poor (20/100) for EPDM Foam.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in EPDM Foam and PE Foam Board 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.