IXPE Plastic: Properties, Grades & Uses

IXPE grades and fills

IXPE is supplied in 11 conditions, soft to hard. 33 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.

Compare all 11 grades and fillsHide

Grade · open for datasheet	Best for	Yield MPa	Tensile MPa	Elong. %	Hardness
25 IXPE 25 kg/m³	Lowest-cost, softest grade for light-duty surface protection, tape backing and packaging liners.	0.15	0.25	140	7 Shore A
FR Flame-retardant IXPE	Halogen-free or brominated FR package added when FMVSS 302, UL 94 HF-1 or GB 8624 B1 must be met.	0.18	0.32	120	12 Shore A
33Default IXPE 33 kg/m³	The volume workhorse density: balanced softness, tear strength and cost for mats, trim liners and electronics cushioning.	0.2	0.35	150	10 Shore A
50 IXPE 50 kg/m³	Choose when firmer support and better tear resistance are needed, e.g. yoga/fitness mats and door-panel pads.	0.3	0.5	150	15 Shore A
ESD ESD / antistatic IXPE	Surface-treated or carbon-loaded foam for packaging PCBs, displays and electronic assemblies.		0.34	130	20 Shore A
AUTO-LF Automotive low-fogging / low-VOC grade	Specify for headliner, door-panel and instrument-panel liners that must pass OEM VOC/fogging and odor tests.		0.38	140	22 Shore A
67 IXPE 67 kg/m³	For load-bearing pads, gaskets and shoe midsole/insole layers needing higher compressive stress.	0.4	0.65	145	20 Shore A
EVA-BL IXPE/EVA blend	EVA-modified base resin for softer hand-feel, better elasticity and improved low-temperature flexibility (mats, footwear).		0.45	200	12 Shore A
100 IXPE 100 kg/m³	Rigid-feeling grade for sealing gaskets, structural spacers and thin high-load pads.	0.55	0.9	140	6 Shore D
150 IXPE 150 kg/m³	Near-solid feel for thin sealing tapes, buoyancy cores and heavy-duty gasketing.	0.8	1	130	10 Shore D
200 IXPE 200 kg/m³	Top of the standard density ladder; used where a foam must resist high point loads without bottoming out.	1	2	120	14 Shore D

Supply forms, finishes and certifications

Ways IXPE is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.

Option	What it is	Type
ADH	Adhesive-backed / laminated IXPE tape stock	Surface finish
FDA	Food-contact / medical-compatible grade	Certification
UV	UV-stabilized IXPE	Grade option

What is IXPE?

Electron-beam (radiation) cross-linked polyethylene foam with finer, more uniform closed cells than chemically cross-linked XLPE; offers better clarity, softer hand-feel and lower odor, favored for premium mats and automotive trim. IXPE has a density of 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0012 lb/in³), lighter than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -110°C (-166 °F). IXPE has a yield strength of 0.2 MPa (0.029 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi) — weaker than 98% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (3.63×10⁻⁴ Msi).

What is IXPE used for?

yoga/exercise mats
automotive door and pillar padding
thermal/acoustic insulation liners
protective packaging wraps
floor underlayment

Advantages

Lightweight — 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0012 lb/in³), better than 92% of polymer grades
Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of polymer grades
Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 82% of polymer grades
Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 75% of polymer grades

Limitations

Low strength — 0.2 MPa (0.029 ksi), worse than 98% of polymer grades
Low stiffness — 0 GPa (3.63×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 93% of polymer grades
Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0214 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of polymer grades

IXPE properties

Typical room-temperature values for IXPE-33; bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical5

IXPE has a density of 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0012 lb/in³), lighter than 92% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -110°C (-166 °F).

Density0.03 g/cm³0 lb/in³

Melting Temperature (Tm)110°C230 °F

Glass Transition (Tg)-110°C-166 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)0.3%

Water Absorption (Saturation)1.5%

Mechanical13

IXPE has a yield strength of 0.2 MPa (0.029 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi) — weaker than 98% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (3.63×10⁻⁴ Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus0 GPa3.63×10⁻⁴ Msi

Poisson's Ratio0.15

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)0.35 MPa0.05 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)0.2 MPa0.03 ksi

Elongation at Break150%

Compressive Strength0.04 MPa0.01 ksi

Compressive Modulus0 GPa3.19×10⁻⁴ Msi

Flexural Strength0.22 MPa0.03 ksi

Flexural Modulus0 GPa2.9×10⁻⁴ Msi

Shear Strength0.16 MPa0.02 ksi

Hardness, Shore A10 Shore A

Tear Strength1 kN/m5.7 lbf/in

Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)12%

Thermal9

IXPE is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0214 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.04 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity2,000 J/kg·K0.48 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)200 µm/m·K111 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)85°C185 °F

Min Service Temperature-60°C-76 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)90°C194 °F

Flammability (UL 94)HBF (untreated); meets FMVSS 302 burn-rate limit in most automotive thicknesses

Limiting Oxygen Index18%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)100°C212 °F

Electrical5

IXPE has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)1.1

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)2×10⁻⁴

Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 82% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent90/100

UV / Weathering ResistancePoor30/100

Chemical Resistance Summary—

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of IXPE takes about 92 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 74% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)92 MJ/kg39,553 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability3

IXPE's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability very good (80/100).

MachinabilityExcellent85/100

WeldabilityVery good70/100

Formability (cold)Very good80/100

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated11 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated0.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resiliencecalculated8 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivitycalculated0.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated0

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.

Strength versus weight in the polymer family

Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. IXPE is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.

Working with IXPE

Is IXPE easy to machine?

Steel-rule die cutting, rotary die, hot-wire, skiving and CNC waterjet all work; avoid slow-speed sawing which melts and smears the cells.

Can IXPE be welded?

Joins by hot-air, impulse or hot-plate welding and by hot-melt/acrylic PSA lamination; cross-linked structure prevents solvent bonding and melt re-processing.

Can IXPE be formed, bent or molded?

Thermoformable/compression-moldable at ~130–160 °C surface temperature into 3D headliners and trim; cross-linking gives wide forming window and good hot-strength.

IXPE 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
EVA copolymerimproves softness and resilience; higher in soft blended grades	0 – 30	5
azodicarbonamide (ADCA) blowing agent + blowing agent; only decomposition products remain after foaming	1 – 12	6
zinc oxide / activatorfoaming activator	0.2 – 2	0.8
antioxidant (hindered phenol / phosphite	0.05 – 0.6	0.2
flame retardant (FR grades only)in FR grades; halogenated or halogen-free hydroxide system	0 – 20	0
pigment / carbon black	0 – 3	0.5
LDPE (low-density polyethylene)matrix resin; some grades use LLDPE/mLLDPE to tune cell structure	≥ 65 (balance)

What surface finishes work on IXPE?

Accepts corona/flame treatment before printing, flocking, film or fabric lamination; untreated PE surface is low-energy and will not hold paint or ink.

Equivalent designations

Standards and trade names that resolve to IXPE in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.

ASTM: D3575
GB (China): GB/T 25325
Similar grades: K6767

Other Foams grades

Closest polymer grades by properties

Compare IXPE with…

Benchmark IXPE against the top 3 neighbours

How much does IXPE cost?

IXPE is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

IXPE — frequently asked

What is IXPE used for?

IXPE is typically used for yoga/exercise mats, automotive door and pillar padding, thermal/acoustic insulation liners, protective packaging wraps and floor underlayment. In short: finest cell structure in XLPE; low odor and fogging; thermoformable trim foam.

What is the yield strength of IXPE?

IXPE has a typical yield strength of 0.2 MPa (0.029 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi) — weaker than 98% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.

Is IXPE easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades). Steel-rule die cutting, rotary die, hot-wire, skiving and CNC waterjet all work; avoid slow-speed sawing which melts and smears the cells.

Can IXPE be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Joins by hot-air, impulse or hot-plate welding and by hot-melt/acrylic PSA lamination; cross-linked structure prevents solvent bonding and melt re-processing.

What surface finishes work on IXPE?

Accepts corona/flame treatment before printing, flocking, film or fabric lamination; untreated PE surface is low-energy and will not hold paint or ink.

Can IXPE be formed, bent or molded?

Thermoformable/compression-moldable at ~130–160 °C surface temperature into 3D headliners and trim; cross-linking gives wide forming window and good hot-strength.

What is the maximum service temperature of IXPE?

IXPE is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °F), and briefly to 100°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between IXPE 33 and IXPE 200?

33 is the default condition — the volume workhorse density: balanced softness, tear strength and cost for mats, trim liners and electronics cushioning. 200: top of the standard density ladder; used where a foam must resist high point loads without bottoming out. Yield strength is 0.2 MPa in 33 versus 1 MPa in 200.

How much does IXPE cost?

IXPE is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Sources

ASTM D3575 — Flexible Cellular Materials Made from Olefin Polymers — ASTM International (2020)
JIS K 6767 — Cellular plastics, polyethylene test methods — JSA (2019)
ISO 3795 / FMVSS 302 — Burning behaviour of interior materials — ISO / NHTSA (2019)
Irradiation cross-linked PE foam (IXPE) technical data sheets — Toray / Sekisui / & IXPE (2024)
Handbook of Polymeric Foams and Foam Technology — Hanser (2004)