ERG and Duocel FAQ
Does ERG sell bulk foam material?
What is the minimum order size?
I’d like some samples, how can I get some?
My application is strictly proprietary, how can I trust you?
What are some common applications of your foams?
What types of foam are you able to produce?
Are there lower limits to part thickness?
Q: Does ERG sell raw foam material?
A: No, ERG does not sell raw material for several reasons. ERG’s technical experience allow us to effectively create a design for your specific application needs, and provide valuable insight into the complex material properties of our Duocel Foam. Our in-house engineering and machining connection allows us to ensure quality in your design from drawing to shipping. Our machinists employ proprietary techniques for the manufacturing and processing of your part. These techniques come from over 40 years of experience in dealing with our metal foam
By allowing ERG to assist you in your design and manufacturing process, you will ensure that the material is applied effectively and the part is made efficiently.
Q: What is the minimum order size?
A: The minimum order size is $125.00 .
Q: I’d like some samples, how can I get some?
A: Samples of our foams are available with our Imagination Kit. To have an Imagination Kit sent to you, please take a few minutes to fill out a kit request form. The samples are roughly the size of a candy bar and contain examples of the various pore sizes that we can make.
Q: What is an imagination kit?
A: An Imagination Kit is a package containing samples of Duocel Foam. The foam samples are roughly the size of a candy bar.
Q: My application is strictly proprietary, how can I trust you?
A: ERG has worked for many years with the federal government and military designing and building parts for various confidential applications. We have also worked with many private companies on mission critical parts that require the utmost consideration of privacy. All of our employees sign non-disclosure agreements when they are hired. ERG is accustomed to signing NDA’s with most of our customers.
Q: What are some common applications of your foams?
A: Open cell reticulated foam is especially useful in heat exchangers/sinks, high quality filters, porous electrodes, baffle structures, fluid flow stabilizers and cores for composite materials. Browse our product gallery to see Duocel applications.
Q: What types of foam are you able to produce?
A: ERG is capable of producing nearly any kind of non-ferrous metal foam, a large variety of ceramic foams, and pure carbon foam. Our aluminum foam is the most popular, followed by reticulated vitreous carbon, and silicon carbide. We do make other varieties of foam, for a complete list visit our foam technology page or contact us.
Q: Are there lower limits to part thickness?
A: The thickness of a part made from RVC or ceramic should not be lower than, Table 1.1, as a general rule of thumb. This is due to the open-cell structure of the foam. At a thickness less than this, the foam would fall apart, or have very limited strength. However, we can compress the foam to achieve thicknesses lower than those listed here. Please contact our office to learn lower thickness limits for our other materials.
Table 1.1
Nominal Pore Size Grade |
Suggested Minimum Sheet Thickness |
100 |
1/16 |
80 |
1/16 |
60 |
1/8 |
45 |
1/8 |
30 |
3/16 |
20 |
¼ |
10 |
½ |
5 |
3/4 |
