ARPRO expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam planks are a lightweight and highly durable packaging and component solution. They have high static compression, meet high drop-test requirements, and have high service temperatures (up to 212°F). They are ideal for shipping, crating, and applications that require extended stacking strength and impact, shock, and vibration mitigation.
Expanded polypropylene foam is nearly double the stiffness of equivalent polyethylene foam. ARPRO EPP planks can be fabricated into custom sizes and shapes and now offers new more flexible formulations for easier part fabrication.
ARPRO EPP is available in a variety of densities including 1.3, 1.9, 2.8 and 3.7 pcf, 6″ thickness.
ARPRO foam planks are strain-rate sensitive and provide unparalleled repetitive dynamic cushioning, taking hit after hit and returning to the cut part’s original shape repeatedly. EPP is perfect for heavy crating, insulated thermal bulkheads, automotive components, light-weighting, EV battery liners, and 3D compression molded parts. EPP foam is isotropic in nature, has been stringently tested, and can manage impacts from 25MPH to 10 G’s. EPP foam parts can hold tight dimensional tolerances with less compression set and creep than extruded PE or chemical crosslink XLPE.
EPP is unique because it can withstand repeated blows and return to its original shape after absorbing impact energy. The multi-directional nature and compressive strength of EPP is consistent across the X, Y, and Z-axis, enabling it to manage shock from any impact angle or direction. ARPRO EPP plank products are stiffer and have wider static loading ranges that provide more protection than traditional closed-cell packaging foams. New EPP formulations offer greater flexibility and much easier fabrication with traditional foam cutting equipment.
ARPRO EPP foams maintain their thermal properties over a wide range of temperatures from -20°F to 212°F. They provide excellent thermal insulation and can be used to ship temperature-sensitive products used to prevent heat transfer from occurring such as returnable cold-chain containers for medical, food, and temperature-sensitive products. EPP-based products also offer excellent high-temperature cushioning performance.
As a chemically inert substance, ARPRO EPP foam planks are virtually unaffected when exposed to most chemicals, oil and grease, petroleum, and moisture.
ARPAK EPE foam planks are 100% recyclable and environmentally sound. They are classified as “Ozone Safe”, meet the RoHS requirements, and are NAFTA compliant. They are made with CO2 and will not emit any harmful CFC or HCFC gasses back into the environment.
Item | EPP | EPE | PE | XPE |
---|---|---|---|---|
Product Examples | ARPRO EPP | ARPAK EPE | Extruded PE | Chemical Crosslink |
Compression Strength | Excellent | Average | Average | Average |
Durability | Good | Good | Good | Excellent |
Elasticity | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Flexibility | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Tensile Strength | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
Chemical Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Heat Resistance | Excellent | Average | Average | Poor |
Thermal Insulation | Good | Good | Average | Average |
Dimensional Stability | Excellent | Average | Average | Poor |
Dynamic Cushion 1st Drop | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Repetitive Dynamic Cushion | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
Contains HCFCs or VOCs | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Amount of VOCs | N/A | N/A | Varies | Varies |