Reticulated PU Foam
Flexible PU foam post-processed (thermally or chemically) to remove cell membranes, leaving an all-open strut network with very high airflow; chosen for filtration and acoustic uses over standard slabstock foam.
Reference datasheet — Reticulated PU Foam is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the PES-30PPI condition
Reticulated PU Foam grades and fills
Reticulated PU Foam is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard. PES-30PPI is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 10 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Polyether-based reticulated foam | Choose when hot/humid, alkaline or long-term wet service would hydrolyse polyester foam (marine, water filtration, tropical HVAC). | 0.11 | 220 | ||
Polyester reticulated, 10 PPI | Coarsest common pore size for maximum airflow and dirt-holding capacity — pre-filters, fuel/vent baffles, evaporative cooler pads. | 0.12 | 200 | ||
Carbon-loaded / conductive reticulated foam | Carbon-impregnated struts for microwave-absorber pyramids, EMI shielding pads and ESD-safe packaging inserts. | 0.12 | 130 | ||
Flame-retardant reticulated foam | Additive- or coating-treated grade for automotive interiors, rail, and electronics enclosures with burn-rate requirements. | 0.13 | 150 | ||
Polyester reticulated, 20 PPI | Coarse-medium grade for HVAC pre-filters and cabinet vents where pressure drop must stay minimal. | 0.14 | 190 | ||
PES-30PPIDefault Polyester reticulated, 30 PPI | Standard general-purpose reticulated filter foam: balanced dust capture and airflow, good tear strength and flame-lamination behaviour. | 0.15 | 180 | ||
Polyester reticulated, 45 PPI | Medium-fine pore size for electronics dust filters, printer ink pads and acoustic damping layers. | 0.16 | 170 | ||
Polyester reticulated, 60 PPI | Fine grade for higher capture efficiency, wicking reservoirs and fine acoustic/anechoic foam cores. | 0.17 | 160 | ||
Polyester reticulated, 80 PPI | Very fine pore structure for ink wicks, medical fluid management and high-efficiency small-area filters. | 0.18 | 150 | ||
Polyester reticulated, 100 PPI | Finest commercially reticulated grade — capillary wicking, ink-jet reservoirs and specialty gas diffusers; highest pressure drop. | 0.19 | 140 |
What is Reticulated PU Foam?
Flexible PU foam post-processed (thermally or chemically) to remove cell membranes, leaving an all-open strut network with very high airflow; chosen for filtration and acoustic uses over standard slabstock foam. Reticulated PU Foam has a density of 0.03 g/cm³ (0.001 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -40°C (-40 °F). Reticulated PU Foam has a tensile strength of 0.15 MPa (0.0218 ksi), weaker than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 180% and the elastic modulus is 3×10⁻⁵ GPa (4.35×10⁻⁶ Msi).
What is Reticulated PU Foam used for?
- air and liquid filter media
- acoustic absorption panels
- fuel tank baffling/anti-slosh foam
- diffuser and wick media
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.03 g/cm³ (0.001 lb/in³), better than 95% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 3×10⁻⁵ GPa (4.35×10⁻⁶ Msi), worse than 100% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
Reticulated PU Foam properties
Typical room-temperature values for Reticulated PU Foam-PES-30PPI; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical2
Reticulated PU Foam has a density of 0.03 g/cm³ (0.001 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -40°C (-40 °F).
Mechanical7
Reticulated PU Foam has a tensile strength of 0.15 MPa (0.0218 ksi), weaker than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 180% and the elastic modulus is 3×10⁻⁵ GPa (4.35×10⁻⁶ Msi).
Thermal7
Reticulated PU Foam is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of polymer grades.
Electrical3
Reticulated PU Foam has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 78% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Reticulated PU Foam takes about 110 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
Reticulated PU Foam's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades); weldability good (60/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations3
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. Reticulated PU Foam is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Reticulated PU Foam
Is Reticulated PU Foam easy to machine?
Cut by die/steel-rule press, band knife, oscillating-blade CNC or hot wire; freeze-cutting or sharp band knives give the cleanest struts, and vacuum hold-down prevents crushing.
Can Reticulated PU Foam be welded?
No fusion welding — join by flame lamination, hot-plate/ultrasonic fusion of skins, or polyurethane/hot-melt adhesive bonding.
Can Reticulated PU Foam be formed, bent or molded?
Compression-moulded into filter shapes with heat set, convoluted (egg-crate) rolled, or in-place foamed onto frames; also insert-moulded into plastic filter housings.
Reticulated PU Foam 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 |
|---|---|---|
| polyester polyol (adipate-based)polyether polyol in PET-RET variant | 45 – 65 | 55 |
| TDI (80/20 toluene diisocyanate)reacted; some grades MDI-based | 30 – 45 | 38 |
| water / blowing and crosslinking additiv | 2 – 5 | 3 |
| silicone surfactant + amine/tin catalyst | 1 – 4 | 2 |
| flame retardant (FR variant only) | 4 – 15 | 8 |
| carbon black (conductive variant only) | 2 – 15 | 6 |
| air (cell volume)~97 vol % void; all cell windows removed by reticulation | balance |
What surface finishes work on Reticulated PU Foam?
Can be dip-coated (oil, latex, activated carbon, hydrophilic surfactant), plasma-treated for wetting, or laminated to scrim, mesh and PSA films; avoid solvent primers that swell the struts.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Reticulated PU Foam in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Reticulated Foam
How much does Reticulated PU Foam cost?
Reticulated PU Foam is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
Reticulated PU Foam — frequently asked
What is Reticulated PU Foam used for?
Reticulated PU Foam is typically used for air and liquid filter media, acoustic absorption panels, fuel tank baffling/anti-slosh foam and diffuser and wick media. In short: highest airflow PU foam; membrane-free open-cell structure; pore size controlled by PPI.
What is the tensile strength of Reticulated PU Foam?
Reticulated PU Foam has a typical tensile strength of 0.15 MPa (0.0218 ksi) — weaker than 97% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is Reticulated PU Foam easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades). Cut by die/steel-rule press, band knife, oscillating-blade CNC or hot wire; freeze-cutting or sharp band knives give the cleanest struts, and vacuum hold-down prevents crushing.
Can Reticulated PU Foam be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). No fusion welding — join by flame lamination, hot-plate/ultrasonic fusion of skins, or polyurethane/hot-melt adhesive bonding.
What surface finishes work on Reticulated PU Foam?
Can be dip-coated (oil, latex, activated carbon, hydrophilic surfactant), plasma-treated for wetting, or laminated to scrim, mesh and PSA films; avoid solvent primers that swell the struts.
Can Reticulated PU Foam be formed, bent or molded?
Compression-moulded into filter shapes with heat set, convoluted (egg-crate) rolled, or in-place foamed onto frames; also insert-moulded into plastic filter housings.
What is the maximum service temperature of Reticulated PU Foam?
Reticulated PU Foam 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.
How much does Reticulated PU Foam cost?
Reticulated PU Foam is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 D3574 — Standard Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials, Slab, Bonded and Molded Urethane Foams — ASTM International (2017)
- ISO 845 / ISO 1798 — Cellular plastics and rubbers: density and tensile properties — ISO (2008)
- Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics (polyurethane foams) — ASM International (1988)
- Cellular Solids: Structure and Properties (Gibson & Ashby) — Cambridge University Press (1997)
- Reticulated filter foam product literature (FXI/Foamex, Recticel Bulpren, Sekisui/Filtren-type grades) — foam producers (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.