PUR/PIR Board vs Viscoelastic PU Foam
Polymer · grade comparison
PUR/PIR Board and Viscoelastic PU Foam are both polymer grades. PUR/PIR Board is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 0.28 MPa (0.0406 ksi) against 0.1 MPa (0.0145 ksi) for Viscoelastic PU Foam, about 180% more. In exchange, Viscoelastic PU Foam is the more ductile: elongation 150% versus 8% for PUR/PIR Board. PUR/PIR Board is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.05 g/cm³ for Viscoelastic PU Foam) and PUR/PIR Board is stiffer (0.01 GPa vs 2.5×10⁻⁴ GPa). On the shop floor, PUR/PIR Board machines more easily (excellent vs good) and Viscoelastic PU Foam welds better (poor vs not recommended).
PUR/PIR BoardChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Viscoelastic PU FoamChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
PUR/PIR Board vs Viscoelastic 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.
PUR/PIR BoardViscoelastic PU Foam
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Tear Strength
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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Limiting Oxygen Index
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (short-term) 120°C248 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 20 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
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)
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.5 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | PUR/PIR Board | Viscoelastic PU Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
PUR/PIR Board vs Viscoelastic PU Foam — frequently asked
Is PUR/PIR Board stronger than Viscoelastic PU Foam?
Yes. PUR/PIR Board has a typical tensile strength of 0.28 MPa (0.0406 ksi) against 0.1 MPa (0.0145 ksi) for Viscoelastic PU Foam — about 180% more.
Which is cheaper, PUR/PIR Board or Viscoelastic PU Foam?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, PUR/PIR Board or Viscoelastic PU Foam?
PUR/PIR Board. Its machinability rates excellent (95/100) against good (60/100) for Viscoelastic PU Foam; for welding the order is Viscoelastic PU Foam first (poor, 30/100) then PUR/PIR Board (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PUR/PIR Board and Viscoelastic 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.