Rebond Foam vs Viscoelastic PU Foam
Polymer · grade comparison
Rebond Foam and Viscoelastic PU Foam are both polymer grades. Rebond Foam is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 0.15 MPa (0.0218 ksi) against 0.1 MPa (0.0145 ksi) for Viscoelastic PU Foam, about 50% more. In exchange, Viscoelastic PU Foam is the more ductile: elongation 150% versus 60% for Rebond Foam. Viscoelastic PU Foam is lighter (0.05 g/cm³ vs 0.08 g/cm³ for Rebond Foam) and Rebond Foam is stiffer (8×10⁻⁴ GPa vs 2.5×10⁻⁴ GPa). On the shop floor, Rebond Foam machines more easily (very good vs good), Viscoelastic PU Foam welds better (30 vs 15 out of 100), and Rebond Foam sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Viscoelastic PU Foam (premium, $$$).
Rebond FoamChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
Viscoelastic PU FoamChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Rebond Foam 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.
Rebond FoamViscoelastic PU Foam
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 90°C194 °F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 19% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 120°C248 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·cm
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)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 2 kN·m/kg · 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 | Rebond Foam | Viscoelastic PU Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Rebond Foam vs Viscoelastic PU Foam — frequently asked
Is Rebond Foam stronger than Viscoelastic PU Foam?
Yes. Rebond Foam has a typical tensile strength of 0.15 MPa (0.0218 ksi) against 0.1 MPa (0.0145 ksi) for Viscoelastic PU Foam — about 50% more.
Which is cheaper, Rebond Foam or Viscoelastic PU Foam?
Rebond Foam is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Viscoelastic PU Foam is premium ($$$). 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, Rebond Foam or Viscoelastic PU Foam?
Rebond Foam. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against good (60/100) for Viscoelastic PU Foam; for welding the order is Viscoelastic PU Foam first (poor, 30/100) then Rebond Foam (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Rebond Foam 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.