RIM PU Foam
Low-to-medium density microcellular PU foam produced by rapidly mixing and injecting reactive liquid components into a mold, yielding lightweight structural parts with integral skins in one process step.
Reference datasheet — RIM 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 MC-0.6 condition
RIM PU Foam grades and fills
RIM PU Foam is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. MC-0.6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flexible integral-skin RIM foam, ~0.35–0.5 g/cm³ | Pick for soft-touch, energy-absorbing parts: steering wheels, armrests, headrests, handles, gym/medical padding with a tough skin. | 4 | 200 | 62 Shore A | |
MC-0.6Default Unfilled semi-rigid microcellular RIM, integral skin, ~0.6 g/cm³ | Default all-round RIM foam: paintable integral skin, good impact and stiffness balance for housings, panels and trim. | 8 | 12 | 130 | 45 Shore D |
Flame-retardant RIM system | Specify for rail, transit, medical and electrical enclosures needing UL 94 V-0 / EN 45545 or FMVSS 302 compliance. | 8 | 10 | 80 | 50 Shore D |
Rigid RIM structural foam, ~0.25–0.35 g/cm³ | Lowest-cost stiff lightweight shells (medical equipment covers, machine enclosures, furniture cores) where thick ribbed walls replace sheet metal. | 9 | 6 | 60 Shore D | |
High-density microcellular RIM elastomer, ~0.9–1.05 g/cm³ | Choose for tough painted exterior body panels/fascias and bumpers needing high tear, impact and cold ductility at near-solid density. | 26 | 200 | 65 Shore D | |
Reinforced RIM, 12–20 % milled glass fiber / glass flake | Use when CTE must be cut and stiffness/HDT raised for on-line painted exterior panels and larger flat surfaces. | 26 | 25 | 75 Shore D | |
Structural RIM over 30–45 % continuous glass mat preform | Highest stiffness/strength route — resin is injected into a glass-mat preform in the mold; for load-bearing panels, floor pans and bumper beams. | 85 | 2 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways RIM PU Foam is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
UV | Light-stable / aliphatic-modified, UV-stabilized RIM | Grade option |
What is RIM PU Foam?
Low-to-medium density microcellular PU foam produced by rapidly mixing and injecting reactive liquid components into a mold, yielding lightweight structural parts with integral skins in one process step. RIM PU Foam has a density of 0.6 g/cm³ (0.0217 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F). RIM PU Foam has a yield strength of 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) — weaker than 93% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 130% and the elastic modulus is 0.22 GPa (0.0319 Msi).
What is RIM PU Foam used for?
- automotive fascias and body panels
- structural furniture components
- equipment housings
- agricultural equipment shrouds
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.6 g/cm³ (0.0217 lb/in³), better than 84% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 8 MPa (1.16 ksi), worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.08 W/m·K (0.0462 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 0.6%, worse than 75% of polymer grades
RIM PU Foam properties
Typical room-temperature values for RIM PU Foam-MC-0.6; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
RIM PU Foam has a density of 0.6 g/cm³ (0.0217 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F).
Mechanical15
RIM PU Foam has a yield strength of 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) — weaker than 93% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 130% and the elastic modulus is 0.22 GPa (0.0319 Msi).
Thermal10
RIM PU Foam is rated for continuous service to 95°C (203 °F). It conducts heat at 0.08 W/m·K (0.0462 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 120 µm/m·K (66.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
RIM PU Foam is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 12 kV/mm (304.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 70% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of RIM PU Foam takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 3%.
Manufacturability7
RIM PU Foam's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
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. RIM PU Foam is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with RIM PU Foam
Is RIM PU Foam easy to machine?
Trim flash and drill with sharp carbide or router bits at high speed and low feed; the cellular core cuts easily but glass-filled RRIM/SRIM is abrasive and dust must be extracted.
Can RIM PU Foam be welded?
Thermoset — cannot be melt-welded; join with two-part PU/epoxy adhesive, moulded-in inserts or self-tapping screws into ribbed bosses.
Can RIM PU Foam be formed, bent or molded?
High-pressure impingement mixing at 12–20 MPa, component temperatures 30–50 °C, mould 45–80 °C, demould in 30–120 s; design uniform 3–8 mm walls (thicker allowed than thermoplastics), 1–3° draft, vented low-cost aluminium or nickel-shell moulds.
RIM 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 |
|---|---|---|
| polymeric/modified MDI (isocyanate compoA-side; index typically 100–110 | 35 – 55 | 45 |
| chain extender (1,4-butanediol / ethylensets hard-segment content and modulus | 2 – 8 | 5 |
| blowing agent (water and/or HFO-1233zd /controls core density | 0.2 – 2.5 | 1 |
| amine + tin catalyst packagecream/gel time control for fast demold | 0.3 – 2 | 1 |
| silicone surfactant / cell regulator | 0.3 – 1.5 | 0.8 |
| internal mould release + pigment | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.2 |
| milled glass fiber / glass flake (RRIM v | 0 – 25 | 15 |
| polyether polyol (polyol blend base)B-side; polyester polyol used where oil/abrasion resistance outweighs hydrolysis risk | ≥ 35 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on RIM PU Foam?
In-mould release residue must be washed or power-washed off before painting; integral skin accepts PU primer and 2K PU topcoat directly, and conductive primers allow electrostatic on-line painting of RRIM body panels.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to RIM PU Foam in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- RIM Foam
How much does RIM PU Foam cost?
RIM PU Foam 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.
RIM PU Foam — frequently asked
What is RIM PU Foam used for?
RIM PU Foam is typically used for automotive fascias and body panels, structural furniture components, equipment housings and agricultural equipment shrouds. In short: one-step integral-skin parts; low-cost tooling, large panels; thermoset, not weldable.
What is the yield strength of RIM PU Foam?
RIM PU Foam has a typical yield strength of 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) — weaker than 93% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is RIM PU Foam easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades). Trim flash and drill with sharp carbide or router bits at high speed and low feed; the cellular core cuts easily but glass-filled RRIM/SRIM is abrasive and dust must be extracted.
Can RIM PU Foam be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Thermoset — cannot be melt-welded; join with two-part PU/epoxy adhesive, moulded-in inserts or self-tapping screws into ribbed bosses.
What surface finishes work on RIM PU Foam?
In-mould release residue must be washed or power-washed off before painting; integral skin accepts PU primer and 2K PU topcoat directly, and conductive primers allow electrostatic on-line painting of RRIM body panels.
Can RIM PU Foam be formed, bent or molded?
High-pressure impingement mixing at 12–20 MPa, component temperatures 30–50 °C, mould 45–80 °C, demould in 30–120 s; design uniform 3–8 mm walls (thicker allowed than thermoplastics), 1–3° draft, vented low-cost aluminium or nickel-shell moulds.
What is the maximum service temperature of RIM PU Foam?
RIM PU Foam 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.
What is the difference between RIM PU Foam MC-0.6 and RIM PU Foam FR?
MC-0.6 is the default condition — default all-round RIM foam: paintable integral skin, good impact and stiffness balance for housings, panels and trim. FR: specify for rail, transit, medical and electrical enclosures needing UL 94 V-0 / EN 45545 or FMVSS 302 compliance. Yield strength is 8 MPa in MC-0.6 versus 8 MPa in FR.
How much does RIM PU Foam cost?
RIM PU Foam 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
- Bayflex / Baydur RIM system technical data — Covestro (formerly Bayer MaterialScience) (2022)
- Elastoflex / Elastolit RIM and integral-skin systems — BASF Polyurethanes (2021)
- RIMLINE / polyurethane RIM system data sheets — Huntsman Polyurethanes (2020)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics (RIM section) — ASM International (1988)
- Polyurethane Handbook, 2nd ed. (Oertel) — Hanser (1994)
- CES/Granta EduPack polymer & foam eco-property data — Ansys Granta (2023)
- ASTM D3489 / D1621 / D3574 — microcellular and cellular PU test methods — ASTM (2019)
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.