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TPO Foam D45

Grade · default condition

D45 = 45 kg/m³

Default all-round density: soft touch with usable load bearing for IP/door-trim laminates and sealing.

Premium cost $$$

Values for the D45 condition

Other TPO Foam grades and fills

TPO Foam is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at TPO Foam.

Compare all 10 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
33 kg/m³
Common roll-goods density for interior trim backing and soft gasketing.0.130.2814016 Shore A
25 kg/m³
Pick for light cushion packaging and void-fill where softness matters more than load bearing.—0.212012 Shore A
60 kg/m³
Use when the part must resist thermoforming stretch and carry higher gasket sealing loads.0.240.517025 Shore A
Non-crosslinked extruded foam
Lowest-cost route for packaging and protective sheet; coarser cells, higher set, fully re-extrudable scrap.—0.2813018 Shore A
Flame-retardant grade
Choose where interior/rail/electrical burn tests (FMVSS 302, UL 94 HF-1) must be passed.—0.312024 Shore A
80 kg/m³
Choose for repeated-impact pads, deep-draw thermoformed laminates and structural gaskets.0.340.718030 Shore A
D45DefaultThis page
45 kg/m³
Default all-round density: soft touch with usable load bearing for IP/door-trim laminates and sealing.—0.3515020 Shore A
Chemically/electron-beam crosslinked sheet
Specify crosslinked TPO foam when fine uniform cells, good thermoformability and low compression set are needed.—0.417022 Shore A
100 kg/m³
Pick for load-bearing spacers, anti-squeak/rattle pads and NVH parts needing firm resilience.0.450.919035 Shore A
Moldable expanded TPO bead foam
Use steam-chest molded bead foam for 3D energy-absorbing parts softer and more elastic than EPP.—0.456028 Shore A

What is TPO Foam D45?

TPO Foam D45 is TPO Foam in the D45 grade — default all-round density: soft touch with usable load bearing for IP/door-trim laminates and sealing. TPO Foam D45 has a tensile strength of 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi), weaker than 92% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (1.45×10⁻⁴ Msi). TPO Foam D45 has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0016 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F).

Advantages

  • Lightweight — 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0016 lb/in³), better than 90% of polymer grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 81% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Low stiffness — 0 GPa (1.45×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 98% of polymer grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.022 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of polymer grades

TPO Foam D45 properties

Typical room-temperature values for TPO Foam D45; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are TPO Foam reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical4

TPO Foam D45 has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0016 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F).

Density0.05 g/cm³0 lb/in³
Melting Temperature (Tm)145°C293 °F
Glass Transition (Tg)-50°C-58 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.5%

Mechanical9

TPO Foam D45 has a tensile strength of 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi), weaker than 92% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (1.45×10⁻⁴ Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus0 GPa1.45×10⁻⁴ Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.2
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)0.35 MPa0.05 ksi
Elongation at Break150%
Compressive Strength0.04 MPa0.01 ksi
Compressive Modulus8×10⁻⁴ GPa1.16×10⁻⁴ Msi
Hardness, Shore A20 Shore A
Tear Strength2 kN/m8.6 lbf/in
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)10%

Thermal8

TPO Foam D45 is rated for continuous service to 95°C (203 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.022 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 150 µm/m·K (83.3 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.04 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,900 J/kg·K0.45 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)150 µm/m·K83.3 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)95°C203 °F
Min Service Temperature-60°C-76 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HBF as supplied; HF-1 achievable with flame-retardant masterbatch
Limiting Oxygen Index18%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)120°C248 °F

Electrical4

TPO Foam D45 has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)1.06
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)3×10⁻⁴
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 74% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent88/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceFair40/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryVery good against water, salt solutions, dilute acids/alkalis, alcohols and most detergents; swells in hot aliphatic/aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents and hot oils; not resistant to strong oxidizers or prolonged UV without stabilizer.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of TPO Foam D45 takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water110 L/kg13.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content5%

Manufacturability6

TPO Foam D45's machinability is good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability excellent (85/100).

MachinabilityGood60/100
WeldabilityVery good70/100
Formability (cold)Excellent85/100
Melt Flow Rate4 g/10 min
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)190°C374 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)150°C302 °F

Common Calculations4

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated8 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated0 MN·m/kg
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated0.4 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated0

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with TPO Foam D45

Is TPO Foam easy to machine?

Die cutting, kiss-cut, hot-wire, oscillating blade or waterjet all work; avoid conventional milling which smears and melts the cell walls.

Can TPO Foam be welded?

Joins by hot-air/impulse/ultrasonic welding to itself and to TPO skins; adhesives require flame, corona or plasma pretreatment because of the low-energy surface.

Can TPO Foam be formed, bent or molded?

Crosslinked sheet vacuum/press-forms at roughly 140–170 °C surface temperature; bead grades are steam-chest molded, non-crosslinked grades are extruded at about 175–215 °C melt.

What surface finishes work on TPO Foam?

Cannot be painted or plated as a foam; use flame lamination, PSA transfer tape, textile/TPO skin lamination or embossing for the visible surface.

TPO 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
polypropylene (PP homo/copolymer)matrix phase45 – 7560
olefin elastomer (EPR/EPDM/POE)provides rubber-like softness and low-temperature flexibility20 – 5033
chemical blowing agent + crosslinker resomitted in physically (CO2/N2) foamed grades1 – 53
talc / nucleant, antioxidant, UV & proce1 – 52
flame retardant (FR grades only)ATH/phosphorus or brominated systems0 – 200

TPO Foam D45 — frequently asked

What is TPO Foam D45 used for?

TPO Foam D45 is typically used for automotive interior soft-touch padding, footwear midsole components, sporting goods cushioning, gasketing and protective sleeves. In short: softer than EPP; rubber-like closed-cell olefin; weldable to TPO skins.

What is the tensile strength of TPO Foam D45?

TPO Foam D45 has a typical tensile strength of 0.35 MPa (0.0508 ksi) — weaker than 92% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.

Is TPO Foam D45 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 51% of polymer grades). Die cutting, kiss-cut, hot-wire, oscillating blade or waterjet all work; avoid conventional milling which smears and melts the cell walls.

Can TPO Foam D45 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Joins by hot-air/impulse/ultrasonic welding to itself and to TPO skins; adhesives require flame, corona or plasma pretreatment because of the low-energy surface.

What surface finishes work on TPO Foam D45?

Cannot be painted or plated as a foam; use flame lamination, PSA transfer tape, textile/TPO skin lamination or embossing for the visible surface.

Can TPO Foam D45 be formed, bent or molded?

Crosslinked sheet vacuum/press-forms at roughly 140–170 °C surface temperature; bead grades are steam-chest molded, non-crosslinked grades are extruded at about 175–215 °C melt.

What is the maximum service temperature of TPO Foam D45?

TPO Foam D45 is rated for continuous use to about 95°C (203 °F), and briefly to 120°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between TPO Foam D45 and TPO Foam D100?

D45 is the default condition — default all-round density: soft touch with usable load bearing for IP/door-trim laminates and sealing. D100: pick for load-bearing spacers, anti-squeak/rattle pads and NVH parts needing firm resilience.

Sources

  1. ASTM D3575 — Flexible Cellular Materials Made from Olefin Polymers — ASTM International (2020)
  2. UL 94 — Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials (HBF/HF-1 foam categories) — UL (2021)
  3. Crosslinked polyolefin foam sheet product ranges (Alveolit/Alveolux type) — Sekisui Alveo (2023)
  4. Azote / Plastazote polyolefin foam technical data — Zotefoams (2023)
  5. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics (cellular polymers) — ASM International (1988)
  6. Polyolefin foam and TPO compound property records — CAMPUS / UL Prospector (2024)
  7. TPO/POE — 1688 / SMM (2025)

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.