HR Foam vs Reticulated PU Foam
Polymer · grade comparison
HR Foam and Reticulated PU Foam are both polymer grades. Reticulated PU Foam is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 0.15 MPa (0.0218 ksi) against 0.13 MPa (0.0189 ksi) for HR Foam, about 15% more. Reticulated PU Foam is the more ductile: elongation 180% versus 130% for HR Foam. Reticulated PU Foam is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.05 g/cm³ for HR Foam) and Reticulated PU Foam is stiffer (3×10⁻⁵ GPa vs 2×10⁻⁵ GPa). On the shop floor, HR Foam machines more easily (excellent vs very good), Reticulated PU Foam welds better (good vs fair), and HR Foam sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Reticulated PU Foam (high, $$$$).
HR FoamChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Reticulated PU FoamChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
HR Foam vs Reticulated PU Foam: 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
Compressive Modulus
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.04 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 1,500 J/kg·K0.36 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·cm
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 25 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 90 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
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
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 | HR Foam | Reticulated PU Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
HR Foam vs Reticulated PU Foam — frequently asked
Is Reticulated PU Foam stronger than HR Foam?
Yes. Reticulated PU Foam has a typical tensile strength of 0.15 MPa (0.0218 ksi) against 0.13 MPa (0.0189 ksi) for HR Foam — about 15% more.
Which is cheaper, HR Foam or Reticulated PU Foam?
HR Foam is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Reticulated PU Foam is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, HR Foam or Reticulated PU Foam?
HR Foam. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (75/100) for Reticulated PU Foam; for welding the order is Reticulated PU Foam first (good, 60/100) then HR Foam (fair, 40/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in HR Foam and Reticulated PU Foam 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.