{"id":3451,"date":"2026-10-22T01:39:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T17:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/?p=3451"},"modified":"2026-10-22T01:39:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T17:39:18","slug":"what-is-the-density-of-rubycell-materials-4aa6-6d7a07","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/22\/what-is-the-density-of-rubycell-materials-4aa6-6d7a07\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the density of Rubycell Materials?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever worked with lightweight structural materials, thermal insulation components, or flexible packaging films, chances are you\u2019ve encountered materials labeled as Rubycell. As a supplier of these specialized materials, I get dozens of questions every week from engineers, product designers, and procurement teams\u2014most of which boil down to one core concern: What is the density of Rubycell materials?<\/em> It\u2019s not a trivial question. Density dictates everything from how much raw material to order for a production run, to the cost per square foot of finished goods, to whether a component will meet weight requirements for aerospace, automotive, or consumer electronics applications. Too often, I\u2019ve seen designers incorrectly extrapolate density from generic polymer foams or plastics, leading to overbought inventory, unexpected shipping costs, or parts that fail to meet performance specs. Today, I want to break down Rubycell density by design, explain why it varies across our product lines, and offer context for how to use that number for your projects. Rubycell Materials<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First, let\u2019s clarify what Rubycell is, because a lot of people treat it as a single material\u2014and it\u2019s not. Rubycell is a family of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) foams engineered for consistent cellular structure, closed-cell porosity, and uniform density, unlike commodity foams that can have wide density variations from batch to batch. We manufacture Rubycell through a controlled extrusion and foaming process: we start with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) resin, mix in a blowing agent that vaporizes at a specific temperature, and then cross-link the polymer chains to lock in the foam\u2019s shape and cell structure as it cools. This process is what lets us tune density precisely, rather than leaving it to chance. Unlike open-cell foams, Rubycell\u2019s closed cells mean less water absorption, better chemical resistance, and predictable weight, which is why it\u2019s used in everything from flotation devices to electric vehicle battery enclosures to medical dressings.<\/p>\n

Now, the most common question: what\u2019s the density number? The short answer is, it depends on which Rubycell product you\u2019re working with. We offer four core density grades that cover nearly all industrial and commercial applications, each optimized for a specific use case, with tightly controlled density tolerances to ensure consistency. Let\u2019s walk through each, because misaligning density to your application is where mistakes happen.<\/p>\n

Our lowest-density grade, Rubycell 200, has a density of 0.020 g\/cm\u00b3 (1.25 pounds per cubic foot, or pcf). This is our lightest product, designed for applications where extreme weight reduction is non-negotiable. Think flexible packaging inserts, buoyancy aids for recreational water gear, or cushioning for fragile consumer electronics (like smartphone or laptop parts) where even a 1-gram weight difference adds up for large order volumes. At 0.02 g\/cm\u00b3, Rubycell 200 is lighter than most generic polystyrene (EPS) foams, which typically hover around 0.03 g\/cm\u00b3, and far more durable\u2014EPS crushes under moderate pressure, while Rubycell 200\u2019s cross-linked structure bounces back from compression of up to 50% without permanent deformation. That consistency is a big part of why our customers choose Rubycell: a 1,000-square-foot sheet of Rubycell 200 weighs roughly 10.5 pounds, compared to 15.8 pounds of equivalent thickness EPS, so you save on shipping and handling right off the bat.<\/p>\n

Next, our mid-density workhorse grade, Rubycell 300, clocks in at 0.030 g\/cm\u00b3 (1.87 pcf). This is our best-selling grade, because it balances light weight, structural integrity, and thermal resistance for a huge range of mid-range applications. Most of our automotive customers use Rubycell 300 for door panel insulation, trunk liners, and headliner components: its 0.03 g\/cm\u00b3 density means it adds minimal weight to the vehicle (a key factor for electric cars, where extra weight cuts range), while its closed-cell structure provides an R-value of roughly 3.5 per inch, making it far more insulating than hard plastics of similar density. We also supply Rubycell 300 to medical device manufacturers, who use it for sterile packaging for surgical tools: its low density keeps shipping costs down, and its non-absorbent surface resists bacteria buildup, a non-negotiable for medical applications. For context, a \u00bc-inch thick sheet of Rubycell 300 weighs just 0.47 pounds per square foot, compared to 0.63 pounds of similar thickness polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film foam\u2014again, that weight savings adds up for large-scale production.<\/p>\n

Moving up, we have Rubycell 400, with a density of 0.040 g\/cm\u00b3 (2.5 pcf). This grade is designed for applications that need more structural support, where 0.03 g\/cm\u00b3 is too soft. Aerospace and defense contractors are some of our biggest customers for Rubycell 400: it\u2019s used as a core material for composite panels, where it adds rigidity without the weight of aluminum honeycomb, which can be 30-40% heavier than equivalent thickness Rubycell 400. We also supply this grade to sporting goods manufacturers, who use it for snowboard and wakeboard core materials: its 0.04 g\/cm\u00b3 density gives the board flexibility and shock absorption, while the closed-cell structure doesn\u2019t soak up water, so it doesn\u2019t get heavier over time when used on snow or water. Unlike commodity foams, Rubycell 400 has a density tolerance of \u00b10.002 g\/cm\u00b3, so a manufacturer can design a board to exact weight specs without accounting for batch-to-batch variation\u2014something that\u2019s critical for professional sports equipment, where even a 1-ounce difference can affect performance.<\/p>\n

Our highest-density commercial grade is Rubycell 500, at 0.050 g\/cm\u00b3 (3.12 pcf). This is the most rigid of our line, used for load-bearing applications where you need strength without the weight of solid plastic. For example, we supply Rubycell 500 to marine manufacturers for buoyancy blocks and hull reinforcements: its 0.05 g\/cm\u00b3 density means it\u2019s heavy enough to support the required load for small boats, but far lighter than solid fiberglass, which would add hundreds of pounds to a vessel. It\u2019s also used in temporary concrete formwork, where its closed-cell structure resists moisture and chemical exposure from wet concrete, and its low density makes it easy to cut and install on job sites, compared to heavy plywood or metal forms. At this density, Rubycell 500 is still 80% lighter than solid polyethylene, which has a density of 0.95 g\/cm\u00b3, so it\u2019s a huge improvement over solid plastics for any application where weight is a factor.<\/p>\n

Now, I know what you\u2019re thinking: why can\u2019t you just pick a density in between these grades? Can you custom-make a Rubycell material with, say, a density of 0.025 g\/cm\u00b3 for a specific project? The short answer is, yes\u2014if the volume is high enough. Our standard grades are optimized for high-volume production, so they offer the lowest cost per unit density, but we work with clients on custom density specifications for projects with long production runs or specialized performance needs. For example, a few years back, a team of aerospace engineers came to us needing a core material for satellite antenna panels that had to have a density of exactly 0.028 g\/cm\u00b3, with a tolerance of \u00b10.001 g\/cm\u00b3 to meet strict weight requirements. We adjusted our foaming process to hit that spec, and they\u2019ve been a repeat customer ever since. That flexibility is another advantage of Rubycell over generic foams: most commodity foam manufacturers can only offer density ranges within \u00b110% of a target, but our controlled cross-linking process lets us tune density to within \u00b15% for custom orders, as long as you have the volume to support it.<\/p>\n

I also want to address a common misconception: density is not the same as performance. A lot of people assume that a higher density Rubycell material is automatically better, but that\u2019s not true. For example, if you\u2019re designing a cushion for a delicate electronic component, Rubycell 200 (0.020 g\/cm\u00b3) will provide the exact shock absorption you need, while Rubycell 500 would be too rigid and would crack on impact, leading to product damage. Conversely, if you\u2019re building a load-bearing component for a boat, Rubycell 200 would be too soft, and would deform under the weight of the hull. The key is to match density to your application\u2019s specific needs, not just pick the highest number you can get. That\u2019s why I always tell new customers to share their performance requirements first, before we talk about density: do you need maximum weight savings, or maximum structural rigidity? Will the component be exposed to moisture, extreme temperatures, or chemicals? Those factors will tell us which Rubycell grade (or custom density) is right for you.<\/p>\n

As a supplier, I also want to be transparent about our density testing process, because trust is critical when you\u2019re sourcing materials. Every batch of Rubycell material we manufacture undergoes a three-step density test, per ASTM D3575, the standard test method for cellular plastics density. First, we measure the weight of a 100mm x 100mm x 10mm sample, then we measure its volume with a digital caliper to within 0.01mm, and then we calculate density to four decimal places. We test five samples from each batch, and we only ship the material if all samples fall within our specified density tolerance. That\u2019s why so many of our repeat customers come back to us: they know that when they order Rubycell 300, every sheet they receive will be exactly 0.030 g\/cm\u00b3, not 0.035, so their production processes stay consistent. A few years back, a packaging supplier switched from a competitor\u2019s foam to Rubycell, and they told us that they cut their product scrap rate by 12% because they no longer had to adjust their cutting machines for varying foam density from batch to batch. That\u2019s the kind of value that consistent density delivers.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re still unsure which Rubycell density is right for your project, or if you\u2019re looking for a custom density spec, I encourage you to reach out to our team for a no-obligation consultation. We work with engineers, product designers, and procurement teams across every industry, from aerospace to consumer goods, and we can help you compare the cost, performance, and weight benefits of each of our Rubycell grades for your specific use case. Don\u2019t let generic foam density numbers lead to overspending, underperforming parts, or unnecessary weight in your products.<\/p>\n

Latex Makeup Sponges<\/a> References:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. ASTM International. (2020). Standard Test Method for Cellular Plastics – Density. ASTM D3575-20.<\/li>\n
  2. Plastics Technology. (2021). Cross-Linked Polyethylene Foams: Properties and Applications. Society of Plastics Engineers.<\/li>\n
  3. Automotive Engineer Magazine. (2022). Lightweight Materials for Electric Vehicle Thermal Management Components. SAE International.<\/li>\n
  4. Marine Materials Journal. (2023). Closed-Cell Foams for Buoyancy and Structural Applications. International Council of Marine Industry Associations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Guangzhou Aoli Beauty Cosmetics Co., Ltd.<\/a><\/p>\n

    Address: No.118 Jichang Road, Yifa International, B121, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, China
    E-mail: 2812110538@qq.com
    WebSite:     https:\/\/www.aoliybeauty.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If you\u2019ve ever worked with lightweight structural materials, thermal insulation components, or flexible packaging films, chances … What is the density of Rubycell Materials?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":954,"featured_media":3451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3414],"class_list":["post-3451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-rubycell-materials-4149-6e4a2e"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/954"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3451"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3451\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.concordtimeslib.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}