Integral Skin PU Foam vs Viscoelastic PU Foam
Polymer · grade comparison
Integral Skin PU Foam and Viscoelastic PU Foam are both polymer grades. Integral Skin PU Foam is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 4 MPa (0.508 ksi) against 0.1 MPa (0.0145 ksi) for Viscoelastic PU Foam, about 35 times as much. Viscoelastic PU Foam is lighter (0.05 g/cm³ vs 0.35 g/cm³ for Integral Skin PU Foam) and Integral Skin PU Foam is stiffer (0.05 GPa vs 2.5×10⁻⁴ GPa). On the shop floor, Viscoelastic PU Foam machines more easily (good vs fair), Viscoelastic PU Foam welds better (poor vs not recommended), and Viscoelastic PU Foam forms better (excellent vs poor).
Integral Skin PU FoamChoose it when strength drives the design.
Viscoelastic PU FoamChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
Integral Skin PU Foam vs Viscoelastic 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 FoamViscoelastic PU Foam
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Shear Strength
Same in both: Elongation at Break 150%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,600 J/kg·K0.38 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 90°C194 °F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 120°C248 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume 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)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Same in both: Mold Temperature (typ.) 50°C122 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 2%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
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 | Viscoelastic PU Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Integral Skin PU Foam vs Viscoelastic PU Foam — frequently asked
Is Integral Skin PU Foam stronger than Viscoelastic PU Foam?
Yes. Integral Skin PU Foam has a typical tensile strength of 4 MPa (0.508 ksi) against 0.1 MPa (0.0145 ksi) for Viscoelastic PU Foam — about 35 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Integral Skin PU Foam or Viscoelastic PU Foam?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Integral Skin PU Foam or Viscoelastic PU Foam?
Viscoelastic PU Foam. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against fair (50/100) for Integral Skin PU Foam; for welding the order is Viscoelastic PU Foam first (poor, 30/100) 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 Viscoelastic 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.