PE Foam Board vs TPO Foam
Polymer · grade comparison
PE Foam Board and TPO Foam are both polymer grades. TPO Foam is the more ductile: elongation 150% versus 80% for PE Foam Board. PE Foam Board is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.05 g/cm³ for TPO Foam) and TPO Foam runs hotter in service (95°C vs 80°C continuous). On the shop floor, PE Foam Board machines more easily (excellent vs good), TPO Foam welds better (very good vs good), and PE Foam Board sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than TPO Foam (premium, $$$).
PE Foam BoardChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
TPO FoamChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
PE Foam Board vs TPO 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.
Poisson's Ratio
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Hardness, Shore A
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 0 GPa1.45×10⁻⁴ Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 0.35 MPa0.05 ksi
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.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.04 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
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 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)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0 MN·m/kg · 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 | TPO Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
PE Foam Board vs TPO Foam — frequently asked
What is the difference between PE Foam Board and TPO Foam?
PE Foam Board and TPO Foam are both polymer grades. TPO Foam is the more ductile: elongation 150% versus 80% for PE Foam Board. PE Foam Board is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.05 g/cm³ for TPO Foam) and TPO Foam runs hotter in service (95°C vs 80°C continuous).
Which is cheaper, PE Foam Board or TPO Foam?
PE Foam Board is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while TPO Foam is premium ($$$). 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 TPO Foam?
PE Foam Board. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against good (60/100) for TPO Foam; for welding the order is TPO Foam first (very good, 70/100) then PE Foam Board (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PE Foam Board and TPO 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.