METAPOR® Air Permeable Products

METAPOR is a composite material consisting of two major components. Different granules, such as aluminium or ceramic materials, and binders are currently used in thermoforming tools. The material is air-permeable over the entire surface, due to its micro-porous structure. In contrast to sintered materials, the pores are not closed off after machining. The numerous advantages are useful in the Thermoforming industry as well as for vacuum clamping and air cushion devices. Design flexibility is enhanced because micro-vents are an integral part of the complete surface. The material‘s inherent properties eliminate the need to design and manufacture complex venting systems.

Listed below is a brief summary of each of the METAPOR products available from CMT Materials. Also featured on this page are helpful guides for working with METAPOR and PROTOBLOCK and a list of the standard sizes available for the PROTOBLOCK and all of the grades of METAPOR.

You may also view the METAPOR application pictures found in our METAPOR Photo Gallery.

• METAPOR BF 100 AL (pdf)
  
  METAPOR - BF 100 AL is the standard grade and can be used with polymer sheet most commonly thermoformed today such as PS, ABS, PVC, PET and PE. Its upper operating temperature limit is 212 degrees F (100 degrees C).
  
  
• METAPOR HD 100 AL (pdf)
  
  METAPOR HD 100 AL is the high density grade of the material that is recommended for use in applications where the surface characteristics of the finished part are critical. HD 100 AL is specially formulated to have a smooth surface yielding better transparency on clear or translucent parts. The material is also recommended for use with acrylics and in twin-sheet applications.
  
  
• METAPOR HD 210 AL (pdf)
  
  METAPOR HD 210 AL is the new high temperature/high density grade of the product. It and can be used with polymer sheet most commonly thermoformed today such as PS, ABS, PVC, PET and PE, but is also suitable polymers processing at higher temperatures such as polycarbonate and acrylic. Its upper operating temperature limit is 410 degrees F (210 degrees C).
  
  
• PROTOBLOCK (pdf)
  
  PROTOBLOCK is a new composite material made of inorganic granules and epoxy resin engineered to form a micro-porous structure for use as prototype vacuum form or thermoform tooling. PROTOBLOCK is a cost effective alternative to other permeable materials when considering short duration runs.
  
  

METAPOR® Thermoforming Construction Guides

• Construction Guide (pdf)
  Thermoforming Mold construction guidelines for Metapor molds.
  
  
• Machining Guide (pdf)
  Handling Guidelines for METAPOR

Air Permeable Metapor® Stock List

METAPOR Application Photo Gallery

• View our photo gallery featuring a varity of METAPOR application pictures.