PE Foam Board vs XPP
Polymer · grade comparison
PE Foam Board and XPP are both polymer grades. XPP is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 0.65 MPa (0.0943 ksi) against 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi) for PE Foam Board, about 86% more. In exchange, PE Foam Board is the more ductile: elongation 80% versus 25% for XPP. PE Foam Board is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.06 g/cm³ for XPP) and XPP is stiffer (0.02 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, PE Foam Board machines more easily (excellent vs good), XPP welds better (very good vs good), and PE Foam Board sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than XPP (premium, $$$).
PE Foam BoardChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
XPPChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
PE Foam Board vs XPP: 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)
Shear Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
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)
Min Service Temperature
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.04 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°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).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 92 / 100 · UV / Weathering Resistance 25 / 100
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 Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 85 MJ/kg36,543 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 10%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 11 kN·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 | XPP |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
PE Foam Board vs XPP — frequently asked
Is XPP stronger than PE Foam Board?
Yes. XPP has a typical tensile strength of 0.65 MPa (0.0943 ksi) against 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi) for PE Foam Board — about 86% more.
Which is cheaper, PE Foam Board or XPP?
PE Foam Board is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while XPP is premium ($$$). 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 XPP?
PE Foam Board. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against good (60/100) for XPP; for welding the order is XPP 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 XPP 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.