IXPE 33
Grade · default condition
ASTM D3575 · GB GB/T 25325
33 = iXPE 33 kg/m³
The volume workhorse density: balanced softness, tear strength and cost for mats, trim liners and electronics cushioning.
Values for the 33 condition
Other IXPE grades and fills
IXPE is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at IXPE.
Compare all 11 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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 |
33DefaultThis page 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 |
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 / antistatic IXPE | Surface-treated or carbon-loaded foam for packaging PCBs, displays and electronic assemblies. | — | 0.34 | 130 | 20 Shore A |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
IXPE 150 kg/m³ | Near-solid feel for thin sealing tapes, buoyancy cores and heavy-duty gasketing. | 0.8 | 1 | 130 | 10 Shore D |
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 |
What is IXPE 33?
IXPE 33 is IXPE in the 33 grade — the volume workhorse density: balanced softness, tear strength and cost for mats, trim liners and electronics cushioning. IXPE 33 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). IXPE 33 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).
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 33 properties
Typical room-temperature values for IXPE 33; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are IXPE reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
IXPE 33 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).
Mechanical13
IXPE 33 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).
Thermal9
IXPE 33 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).
Electrical5
IXPE 33 has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 82% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of IXPE 33 takes about 92 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 74% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
IXPE 33's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability very good (80/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with IXPE 33
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.
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.
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) | — |
IXPE 33 — frequently asked
What is IXPE 33 used for?
IXPE 33 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 33?
IXPE 33 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 33 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 33 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 33?
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 33 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 33?
IXPE 33 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.
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)
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.