What is the difference in IXPE foam and XPE foam?

• What is IXPE foam material?

The full name of IXPE material is electronic irradiation crosslinked polyethylene foaming material, which is also polyethylene as the main raw material, sound insulation, heat insulation, thermal insulation effect, small water absorption, resilience, weather resistance, aging resistance, mildew resistance and strong corrosion resistance, in line with the international environmental protection standards of functional materials. At present, it is mainly used in refrigeration and insulation, electronic precision, photovoltaic energy, aerospace and other fields

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                                            IXPE foam sheet

Production process:

Polyethylene raw material with foaming agent and other additives, first by mixed extrusion molding, through the high-energy electron beam produced by industrial electron accelerator, using the use of electric ion radiation on the material to change the original structure of the base material, cause forming a network structure, it is a closed hole foam material after foaming.

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• What is the XPE (XLPE)foam?
  

The full name of XPE foam material is chemical cross-linked polyethylene foaming material, is polyethylene (PE) as the main raw material, light texture, because of its stable chemical properties, not easy to decompose, no smell, good elasticity and used in the construction field (sound insulation layer, heat insulation layer), protective buffer applications (floor mat, packaging filling, surfboard).

                                XPE (XLPE)foam

Production process:

Ac foaming agent releases a large amount of gas in high temperature,and a large number of bubbles form fine pores. At the same time, under the action of chemical cross-linking reaction, polyethylene completes molecular bridging, so that polyethylene molecules can attach to the bubble surface to form a bubble hole structure and produce foaming materials.

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

Both of materials have good physical and chemical stability, they are easy to decompose, tasteless and safe and environmentally friendly. At the same time, they have good performance in the waterproof and moisture-proof, shock absorption buffer, heat insulation, sound insulation, corrosion resistance and aging resistance. However the main differences between IPEX foam and XPE foam as below:

1. Product appearance

In the primary color state, the XPE foam material is obviously yellow, and the surface is rough, while the IXPE foam surface is white, smooth and smooth, and feels comfortable. The bubble holes of IXPE foam materials are more delicate than those of XPE foam materials.

2. Environmental

XPE foam is a chemical cross-link, and its environmental protection is easily affected by the process. IXPE foam adopts the way of electric ion radiation cross-link, and the electric ion radiation changes the base material structure, forming a mesh independent closed hole structure with no additives, no temperature rise, no chemical residues, and recyclable oil refining.

3. Performance

The IXPE foam is a delicate independent closed structure that effectively prevents the penetration of water molecules and makes the water absorption capacity lower than 0.0.1 g / cm2; meanwhile, due to the modification of electron beam, it cannot provide the environment for bacteria to reproduce and survive.

4. Manufacturability

The IXPE foam material is beautiful and smooth, feel comfortable, the holes are uniform, strong and flexible, it is easy for secondary processing (easy composite, paste, cutting, cutting, hot pressure, hot absorption forming, etc.).

To compare with XPE foam and IXPE foam, IXPE foam is much better than XPE foam in material characteristics,

mechanical properties ,antimicrobial properties etc. so the unit price for IXPE foam is expensive than XPE foam.

Datasheet for XPE foam and XLPE foam

• What is shore hardness in EVA foam?

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 your needs. Please contact us at sales@shunhogroup.com.hk