Reticulated PU Foam CARBON
Additive grade
CARBON = carbon-loaded / conductive reticulated foam
Carbon-impregnated struts for microwave-absorber pyramids, EMI shielding pads and ESD-safe packaging inserts.
Values for the CARBON condition
Other Reticulated PU Foam grades and fills
Reticulated PU Foam is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at Reticulated PU Foam.
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 | — |
CARBONThis page 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 CARBON?
Reticulated PU Foam CARBON is Reticulated PU Foam in the CARBON grade — carbon-impregnated struts for microwave-absorber pyramids, EMI shielding pads and ESD-safe packaging inserts. Reticulated PU Foam CARBON has a tensile strength of 0.12 MPa (0.0174 ksi), weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 130% and the elastic modulus is 4×10⁻⁵ GPa (5.8×10⁻⁶ Msi). Reticulated PU Foam CARBON has a density of 0.04 g/cm³ (0.0014 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -40°C (-40 °F). PES-30PPI is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CARBON is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.04 g/cm³ (0.0014 lb/in³), better than 91% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 4×10⁻⁵ GPa (5.8×10⁻⁶ Msi), worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.05 W/m·K (0.026 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 68/100, worse than 85% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
Reticulated PU Foam CARBON properties
Typical room-temperature values for Reticulated PU Foam CARBON; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Reticulated PU Foam reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical2
Reticulated PU Foam CARBON has a density of 0.04 g/cm³ (0.0014 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -40°C (-40 °F).
Mechanical7
Reticulated PU Foam CARBON has a tensile strength of 0.12 MPa (0.0174 ksi), weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 130% and the elastic modulus is 4×10⁻⁵ GPa (5.8×10⁻⁶ Msi).
Thermal7
Reticulated PU Foam CARBON is rated for continuous service to 95°C (203 °F). It conducts heat at 0.05 W/m·K (0.026 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of polymer grades.
Electrical3
Reticulated PU Foam CARBON has an electrical resistivity of 10 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), worse than 85% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Reticulated PU Foam CARBON 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 CARBON's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Reticulated PU Foam CARBON
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.
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.
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 | — |
Reticulated PU Foam CARBON — frequently asked
What is Reticulated PU Foam CARBON used for?
Reticulated PU Foam CARBON 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 CARBON?
Reticulated PU Foam CARBON has a typical tensile strength of 0.12 MPa (0.0174 ksi) — weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is Reticulated PU Foam CARBON easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 74% 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 CARBON be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). 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 CARBON?
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 CARBON 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 CARBON?
Reticulated PU Foam CARBON is rated for continuous use to about 95°C (203 °F), and briefly to 130°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.