Reticulated PU Foam vs RIM PU Foam
Polymer · grade comparison
Reticulated PU Foam and RIM PU Foam are both polymer grades. RIM PU Foam is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 0.15 MPa (0.0218 ksi) for Reticulated PU Foam, about 80 times as much. In exchange, Reticulated PU Foam is the more ductile: elongation 180% versus 130% for RIM PU Foam. Reticulated PU Foam is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.6 g/cm³ for RIM PU Foam) and RIM PU Foam is stiffer (0.22 GPa vs 3×10⁻⁵ GPa). On the shop floor, Reticulated PU Foam machines more easily (very good vs good), Reticulated PU Foam welds better (good vs not recommended), and RIM PU Foam sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Reticulated PU Foam (high, $$$$).
Reticulated PU FoamChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
RIM PU FoamChoose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Reticulated PU Foam vs RIM 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.
Reticulated PU FoamRIM PU Foam
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Poisson's Ratio
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 130°C266 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dielectric Strength
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
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
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.6 kg CO₂/kg
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
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 | Reticulated PU Foam | RIM PU Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Reticulated PU Foam vs RIM PU Foam — frequently asked
Is RIM PU Foam stronger than Reticulated PU Foam?
Yes. RIM PU Foam has a typical tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 0.15 MPa (0.0218 ksi) for Reticulated PU Foam — about 80 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Reticulated PU Foam or RIM PU Foam?
RIM PU Foam is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Reticulated PU Foam is high ($$$$). 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, Reticulated PU Foam or RIM PU Foam?
Reticulated PU Foam. Its machinability rates very good (75/100) against good (55/100) for RIM PU Foam; for welding the order is Reticulated PU Foam first (good, 60/100) then RIM PU Foam (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Reticulated PU Foam and RIM 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.