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PU-Foam-Rigid MIN

Reinforced grade

MIN = mineral/glass-filled dense rigid foam

Choose for dimensionally stable pattern, jig and low-run mould blocks needing lower CTE and higher stiffness than neat foam.

Premium cost $$$

Values for the MIN condition

Other PU-Foam-Rigid grades and fills

PU-Foam-Rigid is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at PU-Foam-Rigid.

Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Low-density rigid foam, ~0.15 g/cm³
Pick when minimum weight or maximum fill volume matters and loads are essentially self-weight only (display models, void filling, insulating cores).—2330 Shore D
Flame-retardant rigid foam
Use for rail, aircraft-interior or enclosure mockups where a flammability rating is contractually required.—6348 Shore D
D030Default
Standard rigid casting foam, ~0.30 g/cm³
Default choice for lightweight mockups and large-volume parts where handling stiffness and machinability must both be adequate.—6445 Shore D
Self-skinning (integral-skin) rigid foam
Select when the as-cast surface must be paint-ready without extensive filling — dense skin over a light foam core.—8555 Shore D
Medium-high density rigid foam, ~0.50 g/cm³
Use where the foam must take screws, inserts or fixture clamping and still be milled cleanly.—12558 Shore D
Dense structural / tooling foam, ~0.70 g/cm³
Choose for machinable model-board-like blocks, load-bearing inserts and pattern work where near-solid stiffness is needed.—18668 Shore D
MINThis page
Mineral/glass-filled dense rigid foam
Choose for dimensionally stable pattern, jig and low-run mould blocks needing lower CTE and higher stiffness than neat foam.—20278 Shore D

What is PU-Foam-Rigid MIN?

PU-Foam-Rigid MIN is PU-Foam-Rigid in the MIN grade — choose for dimensionally stable pattern, jig and low-run mould blocks needing lower CTE and higher stiffness than neat foam. PU-Foam-Rigid MIN has a tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi), weaker than 71% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi). PU-Foam-Rigid MIN has a density of 0.85 g/cm³ (0.0307 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 95°C (203 °F). D030 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; MIN is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 110°C (230 °F), better than 95% of polyurethane grades
  • Lightweight — 0.85 g/cm³ (0.0307 lb/in³), better than 90% of polyurethane grades
  • Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 83% of polyurethane grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 100% of polyurethane grades
  • Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 0.8%, worse than 88% of polyurethane grades

PU-Foam-Rigid MIN properties

Typical room-temperature values for PU-Foam-Rigid MIN; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PU-Foam-Rigid reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polyurethane grades.

Physical4

PU-Foam-Rigid MIN has a density of 0.85 g/cm³ (0.0307 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 95°C (203 °F).

Density0.85 g/cm³0.03 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)95°C203 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.8%
Water Absorption (Saturation)3%

Mechanical11

PU-Foam-Rigid MIN has a tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi), weaker than 71% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus1.6 GPa0.23 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)20 MPa2.9 ksi
Elongation at Break2%
Compressive Strength32 MPa4.6 ksi
Compressive Modulus0.16 GPa0.02 Msi
Flexural Strength32 MPa4.6 ksi
Flexural Modulus1.8 GPa0.26 Msi
Shear Strength3 MPa0.36 ksi
Izod Impact, Notched18 J/m0.34 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D78 Shore D

Thermal10

PU-Foam-Rigid MIN is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °F). It conducts heat at 0.22 W/m·K (0.127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of polyurethane grades. Thermal expansion is 45 µm/m·K (25 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.22 W/m·K0.13 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,500 J/kg·K0.36 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)45 µm/m·K25 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)110°C230 °F
Min Service Temperature-50°C-58 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa85°C185 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa70°C158 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB
Limiting Oxygen Index20%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)120°C248 °F

Electrical4

PU-Foam-Rigid MIN has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)1.6
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.02
Volume Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

UV resistance is poor.

UV / Weathering ResistancePoor25/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood against water, dilute acids/alkalis, mineral oils and aliphatic solvents; attacked by strong acids/bases, hot water/steam (hydrolysis), ketones, esters and chlorinated solvents; open cut cells wick liquids

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PU-Foam-Rigid MIN takes about 103 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 62% of polyurethane grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)103 MJ/kg44,282 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)4.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability5

PU-Foam-Rigid MIN's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 83% of polyurethane grades); formability not recommended (5/100).

MachinabilityVery good75/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended5/100
PolishabilityFair50/100
Mold Shrinkage0.3%
Mold Temperature (typ.)35°C95 °F

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

Working with PU-Foam-Rigid MIN

Is PU-Foam-Rigid easy to machine?

Cuts and mills very easily with sharp single-flute or foam-specific tooling at high rpm/low feed; use vacuum extraction — the dust is fine and irritant — and expect cell tear-out on thin edges of low-density grades.

Can PU-Foam-Rigid be welded?

Thermoset and cellular: not weldable; join with PU/epoxy adhesives, dowels or embedded inserts potted in place.

Can PU-Foam-Rigid be formed, bent or molded?

Two-component pour under vacuum into silicone or epoxy tools at 25–40 °C mould temperature; meter accurately, degas, and control shot weight/vent layout since density and skin quality depend on constrained rise (demould typically 20–60 min).

What surface finishes work on PU-Foam-Rigid?

Skin sands well but the open core must be sealed with polyester filler or a 2K PU primer before painting; no plating, and UV exposure needs a pigmented/clear-coated topcoat to prevent yellowing.

PU-Foam-Rigid 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
polymeric MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanisocyanate side40 – 6050
blowing agent (water / HFO / pentane)defines cell structure and density0.5 – 42
amine + tin catalyst package0.3 – 21
mineral / glass filler (filled grades on0 in the default unfilled foam0 – 400
flame retardant (phosphate ester, FR gra0 – 150
polyether/polyester polyol blend — compocontains catalysts, silicone surfactant, chain extenders≥ 35 (balance)—

PU-Foam-Rigid MIN — frequently asked

What is PU-Foam-Rigid MIN used for?

PU-Foam-Rigid MIN is typically used for lightweight mockups, core/filler inserts, insulation prototypes and design models. In short: lightest vacuum-cast PU; self-skinning foam system; very easy to machine.

What is the tensile strength of PU-Foam-Rigid MIN?

PU-Foam-Rigid MIN has a typical tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) — weaker than 71% of polyurethane grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is PU-Foam-Rigid MIN easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 83% of polyurethane grades). Cuts and mills very easily with sharp single-flute or foam-specific tooling at high rpm/low feed; use vacuum extraction — the dust is fine and irritant — and expect cell tear-out on thin edges of low-density grades.

Can PU-Foam-Rigid MIN be welded?

Thermoset and cellular: not weldable; join with PU/epoxy adhesives, dowels or embedded inserts potted in place.

What surface finishes work on PU-Foam-Rigid MIN?

Skin sands well but the open core must be sealed with polyester filler or a 2K PU primer before painting; no plating, and UV exposure needs a pigmented/clear-coated topcoat to prevent yellowing.

Can PU-Foam-Rigid MIN be formed, bent or molded?

Two-component pour under vacuum into silicone or epoxy tools at 25–40 °C mould temperature; meter accurately, degas, and control shot weight/vent layout since density and skin quality depend on constrained rise (demould typically 20–60 min).

What is the maximum service temperature of PU-Foam-Rigid MIN?

PU-Foam-Rigid MIN is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °F), and briefly to 120°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. F-series rigid casting foams (technical data sheets) — Axson Technologies / Sika Advanced Resins (2022)
  2. FOAM-iT! rigid urethane foam series — Smooth-On (2023)
  3. ISO 844 — Rigid cellular plastics, compression test — ISO (2021)
  4. ASTM D1622 / D1623 — Apparent density and tensile properties of rigid cellular plastics — ASTM (2020)
  5. Polyurethanes Handbook (Oertel), rigid foam property–density relations — Hanser (1994)
  6. Cellular polymer property tables (rigid PU) — CAMPUS / Ashby CES material data (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.