JIS A9511 EPS vs RIM PU Foam
Polymer · grade comparison
JIS A9511 EPS and RIM PU Foam are both polymer grades. RIM PU Foam is the stronger of the two: yield strength 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) against 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi) for JIS A9511 EPS, about 44 times as much; tensile strength follows at 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) vs 0.2 MPa (0.029 ksi). RIM PU Foam is the more ductile: elongation 130% versus 1.5% for JIS A9511 EPS. JIS A9511 EPS is lighter (0.02 g/cm³ vs 0.6 g/cm³ for RIM PU Foam) and RIM PU Foam is stiffer (0.22 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, JIS A9511 EPS machines more easily (excellent vs good) and JIS A9511 EPS welds better (poor vs not recommended).
JIS A9511 EPSChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
RIM PU FoamChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
JIS A9511 EPS 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
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
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
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
Mold Shrinkage
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Polishability
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Formability (cold) 25 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: 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 | JIS A9511 EPS | RIM PU Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
JIS A9511 EPS vs RIM PU Foam — frequently asked
Is RIM PU Foam stronger than JIS A9511 EPS?
Yes. RIM PU Foam has a typical yield strength of 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) against 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi) for JIS A9511 EPS — about 44 times as much. Tensile strength is 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) vs 0.2 MPa (0.029 ksi).
Which is cheaper, JIS A9511 EPS or RIM PU Foam?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, JIS A9511 EPS or RIM PU Foam?
JIS A9511 EPS. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against good (55/100) for RIM PU Foam; for welding the order is JIS A9511 EPS first (poor, 30/100) then RIM PU Foam (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in JIS A9511 EPS 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.