What is the difference between IXPE foam and XPE faom?

• What is the IXPE foam?

IXPE (Irradiation crosslinked polyethylene foam) is made by extruding polyethylene or modified polyethylene with various fillers. After being crosslinked by electron accelerator radiation, high temperature foaming is achieved molecular foam material.

                                            IXPE foam

• What is the XPE (XLPE)faom?
  

XPE (Chemical crosslinked polyethylene foam) is a polymer foam material made by mixing polyethylene with various fillers, adding chemical crosslinkers and foaming agents. And that is expanded in heat oven after extruded with the help of chemical inflators and cross linking agents that are put inside. It has advanced chemical and mechanical features.

                                XPE (XLPE)foam

• What is the difference in IXPE foam and XPE(XLPE) faom?

First, both IXPE foam and XPE(XLPE) foam are cross-linked polyethylene closed-cell foams. The XPE(XLPE) is a chemical cross-linking and IXPE is an irradiation cross-linking of electron accelerator. Therefore, the mechanics performance of IXPE foam is better than XPE and the surface is smooth as well, but the price of IXPE foam is more expensive than XPE due to the production equipments is a big investment. 

Second, application:  IXPE foam is often used in the automotive, sports and high-end packaging industries etc. XPE(XLPE) foam is often used in general packaging,construction and air-conditioning industries etc. because of its cheap price.

• What is shore hardness in EVA?

Shore hardness is the measure of a particular material’s resistance to penetration or indentation. Basically, it tells you how hard a material is and how much force it can take.

The Shore hardness scale was invented by Albert Ferdinand Shore in around 1920 and has been used ever since.

• The types of shore hardness scales

Shore 00 Hardness Scale measures materials such as EVA foams, gels, sponges and very soft rubber.

Shore 0 Hardness Scale measures soft to medium rubbers and also soft plastics

Shore A Hardness Scale measures the hardness of mold rubbers. These are softer and more flexible materials in general, but the scale gives an indication of whether they are extremely soft or if they are more rigid. In addition to soft rubbers, semi-rigid plastics can also be tested on the Shore A scale, but at the higher level.

Shore B Hardness Scale measures mid range rubbers and plastics, this can be a good choice to measure if you deal with a variety of materials.

Shore C Hardness Scale measures medium medium rubbers up to hard plastics.

Shore D Hardness Scale measures hard rubbers, semi-rigid plastics and hard plastics. Generally, the rubbers are on the low end of the scale, while the hardest plastics receive the highest Shore D ratings.

For detials, please refer to this article which published at our website: "What is Shore hardness in EVA foam ?", thanks.

• Top 4 EVA foam suppliers and manufacturers in China

No matter what type of application you have or the style of EVA foam required, our expert team will help you find the perfect material based on shore hardness. Please contact us at sales@shunhogroup.com.hk