Integral Skin PU Foam vs RIM PU Foam
Polymer · grade comparison
Integral Skin PU Foam and RIM PU Foam are both polymer grades. RIM PU Foam is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 4 MPa (0.508 ksi) for Integral Skin PU Foam, about 3.4 times as much. In exchange, Integral Skin PU Foam is the more ductile: elongation 150% versus 130% for RIM PU Foam. Integral Skin PU Foam is lighter (0.35 g/cm³ vs 0.6 g/cm³ for RIM PU Foam) and RIM PU Foam is stiffer (0.22 GPa vs 0.05 GPa). On the shop floor, RIM PU Foam sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Integral Skin PU Foam (premium, $$$).
Integral Skin PU FoamChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
RIM PU FoamChoose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Integral Skin PU Foam vs RIM 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.
Integral Skin PU FoamRIM PU Foam
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.35
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Same in both: Limiting Oxygen Index 20%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
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)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.6 kg CO₂/kg
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · 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 | Integral Skin PU Foam | RIM PU Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Integral Skin PU Foam vs RIM PU Foam — frequently asked
Is RIM PU Foam stronger than Integral Skin PU Foam?
Yes. RIM PU Foam has a typical tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 4 MPa (0.508 ksi) for Integral Skin PU Foam — about 3.4 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Integral Skin PU Foam or RIM PU Foam?
RIM PU Foam is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Integral Skin PU Foam is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, Integral Skin PU Foam or RIM PU Foam?
RIM PU Foam. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (50/100) for Integral Skin PU Foam; for welding the order is RIM PU Foam first (not recommended, 10/100) then Integral Skin PU Foam (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Integral Skin PU Foam and RIM 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.