What IXPP foam is
IXPP (irradiation cross-linked polypropylene) foam is a closed-cell foam made by treating polypropylene with electron beam or gamma ray irradiation. Cross-linking lifts the heat resistance and the rigidity of the material well above ordinary PP foam: IXPP keeps its shape under load, tolerates boiling water, and neither absorbs water nor ages the way an uncross-linked foam would. Its thermal conductivity is lower than that of polyethylene foam, so it insulates better at the same thickness.
This page is the overview of the IXPP family. For the specification and for ordering, see the IXPP foam product page.
IXPP at a glance
| Property | IXPP |
|---|---|
| Expansion | 5–25× |
| Width | 500–1500 mm |
| Single-layer thickness | 1–6 mm |
| Heat-bonded multilayer | 6–100 mm |
| Maximum service temperature | up to 140 °C |
| Colours | natural (skin tone), black, custom |
| Surface treatment | corona treatment and embossing available |
We do not publish a per-ratio density table for IXPP the way we do for XPE and IXPE, because the density is not fixed grade by grade across this narrower expansion range. Tell us the expansion you need and the density is confirmed against your order rather than quoted from a chart.
When IXPP is the right choice
- Heat. Up to 140 °C, which is well beyond what a polyethylene foam will take. This is usually the deciding factor.
- Boiling water and repeated washing. IXPP tolerates it and stays dimensionally stable.
- Load-bearing parts that must not creep. The cross-linked structure resists the slow deformation that ordinary PP foam shows under sustained load.
- Impact and puncture. Good tensile and impact strength, with a smooth surface that prints and laminates cleanly.
- Thermal insulation in a thin section. Lower conductivity than PE foam, so less thickness is needed for the same performance.
How we supply IXPP
- Expansion 5–25×, widths from 500 mm to 1500 mm
- Single-layer 1–6 mm; heat-bonded multilayer 6–100 mm
- Natural, black or custom colours
- Corona treatment and embossing
- Thermoforming, die-cutting and lamination
IXPP is the heat-resistant member of the family. Compare it with XPE and IXPE, which are polyethylene foams and go thinner and wider but take much less heat. Contact us with the part and the temperature it sees, and we will confirm whether IXPP is the right material.
IXPP foam specifications and custom parts · All foam materials · Request a quote
