Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60
Grade · default condition
PU-60 = 60 kg/m³
Use the 60 kg/m³ general-purpose density to combine insulation with light load capacity in RV, refrigerated-truck and industrial panels.
Values for the PU-60 condition
Other Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core grades and fills
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
40 kg/m³ | Pick the 40 kg/m³ density when insulation is the only function and the panel carries almost no load, as in cold-room panels and door cores at lowest cost. | — | 0.35 | — | — |
Polyisocyanurate modified core | Choose the polyisocyanurate-modified core for insulated sandwich panels needing better fire performance and service to about 140 °C, with conductivity as low as 0.023 W/m·K. | — | 0.4 | 4 | — |
Flame-retardant grade | Pick when fire codes apply — building facades, rail transit, electrical enclosures — accepting a B1 / UL 94 V-0 formulation at 60 kg/m³ and 0.031 W/m·K conductivity. | — | 0.6 | 6 | — |
PU-60DefaultThis page 60 kg/m³ | Use the 60 kg/m³ general-purpose density to combine insulation with light load capacity in RV, refrigerated-truck and industrial panels. | — | 0.65 | — | — |
80 kg/m³ | Choose the 80 kg/m³ core when higher compressive load capacity is required, for walk-on floors and bulkheads that must also hold fasteners. | — | 0.9 | — | — |
Cryogenic grade | Use for LNG tank and cryogenic pipeline insulation, where the formulation reduces low-temperature shrinkage and cracking at 90 kg/m³ and 0.026 W/m·K. | — | 1 | 7 | — |
100 kg/m³ | Pick the 100 kg/m³ core for locally reinforced zones, insert and fastener areas, and as a base substrate for light models and tooling board. | — | 1 | — | — |
130 kg/m³ | Choose for local core replacement at bolt and hardware mounting zones and as a low-temperature tooling substrate; 130 kg/m³ gives 1.8 MPa tensile strength at the cost of added panel weight. | — | 2 | 6 | 30 Shore D |
200 kg/m³ | Use this cast high-density foam for load-bearing inserts, checking fixtures and hand-model machining, where 3 MPa tensile strength outweighs the added weight and cost of 200 kg/m³. | — | 3 | — | — |
What is Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60?
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 is Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core in the PU-60 grade — use the 60 kg/m³ general-purpose density to combine insulation with light load capacity in RV, refrigerated-truck and industrial panels. Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 has a tensile strength of 0.65 MPa (0.0943 ksi), weaker than 97% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0025 Msi). Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 has a density of 0.06 g/cm³ (0.0022 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 92/100, better than 97% of composite grades
- Lightweight — 0.06 g/cm³ (0.0022 lb/in³), better than 93% of composite grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 8%, better than 90% of composite grades
- Low embodied carbon — 4.4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 85% of composite grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 0.03 W/m·K (0.0173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of composite grades
- Low stiffness — 0.02 GPa (0.0025 Msi), worse than 97% of composite grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 20/100, worse than 94% of composite grades
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 92% of composite grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 2%, worse than 88% of composite grades
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical4
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 has a density of 0.06 g/cm³ (0.0022 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F).
Mechanical10
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 has a tensile strength of 0.65 MPa (0.0943 ksi), weaker than 97% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0025 Msi).
Thermal8
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 0.03 W/m·K (0.0173 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 60 µm/m·K (33.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 64% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 takes about 103 MJ of energy and emits 4.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 65% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability1
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60's machinability is excellent (92/100, better than 97% of composite grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60
Is Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core easy to machine?
Band saw, hot wire or high-speed milling all cut it with minimal tool wear, but dust volume is high, so run vacuum extraction. Limit clamping and vacuum hold-down pressure to avoid crushing the cells.
Can Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core be welded?
Not weldable — thermoset foam. Splice with polyurethane or epoxy adhesive, or fill the joint with foamed-in-place PU.
Can Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core be formed, bent or molded?
Can be poured and foamed in place directly between the facers on a continuous panel line or in a mould. Block stock can also be cut, grooved and heat-bent to curvature.
What surface finishes work on Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core?
Cut surfaces are open-celled, so fill with body filler or seal with adhesive film or resin before painting. Remove mould release and lightly sand before bonding to facers.
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| polyether/polyester polyolpolyol component, main part of the B-side | 35 – 50 | 42 |
| blowing agentcyclopentane / HFC / HFO or water (CO₂) | 2 – 8 | 4 |
| silicone surfactant + amine/tin catalystfoam stabilizer and catalysts | 1 – 3 | 1.5 |
| flame retardantphosphate ester/halogenated FR added in flame-retardant grades | 0 – 12 | 0 |
| polymeric MDI (isocyanate)polymeric MDI, A-side | ≥ 45 (balance) | — |
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 — frequently asked
What is Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 used for?
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 is typically used for insulated truck/refrigerated panels, architectural sandwich panels and low-load marine cores. In short: lowest-cost closed-cell core; pour-in-place capable; insulation first, low strength.
What is the tensile strength of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60?
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 has a typical tensile strength of 0.65 MPa (0.0943 ksi) — weaker than 97% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, better than 97% of composite grades). Band saw, hot wire or high-speed milling all cut it with minimal tool wear, but dust volume is high, so run vacuum extraction. Limit clamping and vacuum hold-down pressure to avoid crushing the cells.
Can Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 be welded?
Not weldable — thermoset foam. Splice with polyurethane or epoxy adhesive, or fill the joint with foamed-in-place PU.
What surface finishes work on Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60?
Cut surfaces are open-celled, so fill with body filler or seal with adhesive film or resin before painting. Remove mould release and lightly sand before bonding to facers.
Can Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 be formed, bent or molded?
Can be poured and foamed in place directly between the facers on a continuous panel line or in a mould. Block stock can also be cut, grooved and heat-bent to curvature.
What is the maximum service temperature of Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60?
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Core PU-60 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F), and briefly to 130°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM D1622 — Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular Plastics — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM D1621 / D1623 — Compressive and Tensile Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics — ASTM (2016)
- ASTM C273 — Shear Properties of Sandwich Core Materials — ASTM (2020)
- Gibson & Ashby, Cellular Solids: Structure and Properties — Cambridge University Press (1997)
- Rigid PU/PIR sandwich core datasheets (density 40–200 kg/m³) — core material producers (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.