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Poron vs PU Cast

Polymer · grade comparison

Poron and PU Cast are both polymer grades. PU Cast is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) for Poron, about 12 times as much. PU Cast is the more ductile: elongation 700% versus 150% for Poron. Poron is lighter (0.32 g/cm³ vs 1.1 g/cm³ for PU Cast) and PU Cast is stiffer (0 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, Poron machines more easily (very good vs poor).

PoronChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

PU CastChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Poron vs PU Cast: properties

PoronPU Cast

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

0 GPa2.18×10⁻⁴ Msi
0 GPa2.9×10⁻⁴ Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.49

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1 MPa0.15 ksi
12 MPa1.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

150%
700%

Compressive Strength

0.07 MPa0.01 ksi
1 MPa0.15 ksi

Compressive Modulus

8×10⁻⁴ GPa1.16×10⁻⁴ Msi
—

Hardness, Shore A

20 Shore A
40 Shore A

Tear Strength

2 kN/m8.6 lbf/in
20 kN/m114 lbf/in

Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)

5%
15%

Shear Modulus

—
7×10⁻⁴ GPa1.02×10⁻⁴ Msi

Bulk Modulus

—
2 GPa0.29 Msi

Shear Strength

—
5 MPa0.73 ksi

Hardness, Shore D

—
10 Shore D

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

0.32 g/cm³0.01 lb/in³
1.1 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

-35°C-31 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

3%
0.5%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

—
1.5%

Refractive Index

—
1.5

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.06 W/m·K0.03 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.18 W/m·K0.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,700 J/kg·K0.41 BTU/lb·°F
1,800 J/kg·K0.43 BTU/lb·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

90°C194 °F
80°C176 °F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

—
200 µm/m·K111 µin/in·°F

Limiting Oxygen Index

—
21%

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 120°C248 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

1.7
5

Electrical Resistivity

—
1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

—
20 kV/mm508 V/mil

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.05

Same in both: Volume Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
78 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

40 / 100
35 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

80 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
85 / 100

Weldability

—
15 / 100

Polishability

—
25 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

—
1.5%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

—
80°C176 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

—
100°C212 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb
102 MJ/kg43,852 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

—
210 L/kg25.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

3 kN·m/kg
11 kN·m/kg

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s

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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePU CastPoron

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPoronPU Cast
Default conditionStandardShore A 40
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both are offered for Injection molding. Both take the same 5 finishes: Chrome Plating (Plastic), EMI Shielding Coating, Soft Touch Coating, Spray Painting, UV Coating.

Poron vs PU Cast — frequently asked

Is PU Cast stronger than Poron?

Yes. PU Cast has a typical tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) for Poron — about 12 times as much.

Which is cheaper, Poron or PU Cast?

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, Poron or PU Cast?

Poron. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against poor (25/100) for PU Cast.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Poron and PU Cast 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.