Poron vs PU Foam
Polymer · grade comparison
Poron and PU Foam are both polymer grades. Poron is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) against 0.13 MPa (0.0189 ksi) for PU Foam, about 7.7 times as much. PU Foam is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.32 g/cm³ for Poron) and Poron is stiffer (0 GPa vs 2×10⁻⁴ GPa). On the shop floor, PU Foam machines more easily (excellent vs very good) and PU Foam sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Poron (standard, $$).
PoronChoose it when strength drives the design.
PU FoamChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
Poron vs 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Elongation at Break 150% · Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C) 5%
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)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 90°C194 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 120°C248 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Electrical 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
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Formability (cold) 90 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
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
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 | Poron | PU Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Standard | Open Cell |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| 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 Foam — frequently asked
Is Poron stronger than PU Foam?
Yes. Poron has a typical tensile strength of 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) against 0.13 MPa (0.0189 ksi) for PU Foam — about 7.7 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Poron or PU Foam?
PU Foam is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Poron is standard ($$). 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, Poron or PU Foam?
PU Foam. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against very good (80/100) for Poron.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Poron and 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.