PE Foam Board vs POE Foam
Polymer · grade comparison
PE Foam Board and POE Foam are both polymer grades. POE Foam is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 2 MPa (0.261 ksi) against 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi) for PE Foam Board, about 5.1 times as much. POE Foam is the more ductile: elongation 220% versus 80% for PE Foam Board. PE Foam Board is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.15 g/cm³ for POE Foam) and POE Foam is stiffer (0.01 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, PE Foam Board machines more easily (excellent vs good) and PE Foam Board sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than POE Foam (premium, $$$).
PE Foam BoardChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
POE FoamChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PE Foam Board vs POE 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)
Hardness, Shore A
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
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)
Same in both: Limiting Oxygen Index 18%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
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.)
Mold Shrinkage
Mold 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)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
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 | PE Foam Board | POE Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
PE Foam Board vs POE Foam — frequently asked
Is POE Foam stronger than PE Foam Board?
Yes. POE Foam has a typical tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.261 ksi) against 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi) for PE Foam Board — about 5.1 times as much.
Which is cheaper, PE Foam Board or POE Foam?
PE Foam Board is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while POE Foam is premium ($$$). 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, PE Foam Board or POE Foam?
PE Foam Board. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against good (60/100) for POE Foam; for welding the order is PE Foam Board first (good, 60/100) then POE Foam (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PE Foam Board and POE 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.