Ethafoam STPE200 packaging foam and the All Foam Closed Cell Foam Sheets range can both be considered for protective packaging, but they are presented as different product families because they suit different types of work. An Ethafoam vs closed cell foam decision should therefore start with the item, required support and insert design rather than assuming all polyethylene foam behaves the same way.
Within All Foam, STPE200 is the dedicated semi-rigid packaging option, while AFP30 and AFP45 sit within the Closed Cell Foam Sheets range.
What is Ethafoam STPE200?
All Foam STPE200 is a semi-rigid, non-cross-linked expanded polyethylene packaging foam.
It is supplied online in:
- white or grey
- 100cm x 120cm sheets
- 200cm x 120cm sheets
- thicknesses from 5mm to 100mm
Typical uses include:
- transit pads
- separators
- crate lining
- gap filling
- support blocks
- protective barriers
- industrial cushioning
Its nominal density is 24 kg/m3.
What are AFP30 and AFP45?
AFP30 and AFP45 are separate polyethylene foam products in the All Foam Closed Cell Foam Sheets range.
They are sold where customers need closed-cell sheet material for protective, sealing, lining and specialist fabrication applications.
AFP30 and AFP45 are both rigid and dense; AFP45 is the denser grade.
The AFP30 vs AFP45 guide explains how the two grades differ.
Why All Foam keeps Ethafoam separate
Customers often use "polyethylene foam" as a broad search term, but catalogue categories need to be more useful than that.
All Foam keeps STPE200 in the Packaging Foam range as a semi-rigid material rather than presenting it as another AFP closed-cell sheet.
This makes it easier to compare:
- semi-rigid packaging support
- firmer closed-cell sheet options
- anti-static packaging foam
- flexible polyurethane packaging foam
The choice should match the job.
Which feels firmer?
AFP45 is the denser choice within the AFP range, with a nominal density of 45 kg/m³ compared with 30 kg/m³ for AFP30.
STPE200 is described as semi-rigid.
The most useful comparison is not a simple softness scale because thickness, load area and part geometry change how each material behaves in use.
A thick STPE200 support block and a thin AFP45 sheet solve different problems.
Which is better for protective inserts?
It depends on what the insert needs to do.
STPE200 can suit:
- support pads
- separators
- crate blocks
- industrial cushioning
- semi-rigid protective structures
AFP30 or AFP45 can suit:
- defined case inserts
- firmer protective pads
- lining
- shaped components
- applications where the AFP sheet specification is preferred
For presentation inserts or specialist appearance requirements, check the actual available products rather than assuming STPE200 is a direct replacement.
Which is better for heavy items?
Weight alone does not answer the question.
For a heavy item, consider:
- total weight
- contact area
- number of support points
- foam thickness
- expected compression
- impact environment
- whether the pack is reused
STPE200 is used for medium and heavy protective packaging, but a concentrated foot or narrow bracket can still overload a support.
AFP45 is the denser AFP grade and may suit applications where its specification is the better fit.
The high load bearing packaging foam guide explains why load distribution matters.
Which is better for flight cases?
Both product families may have useful roles.
STPE200 can work as semi-rigid blocks, pads and separators.
AFP30 or AFP45 can suit rigid, dense case inserts where the closed-cell sheet specification is desired.
The actual case dimensions, equipment weight, removal method and support points matter more than the label.
Read Ethafoam for flight cases for a case-design workflow.
What about moisture?
The current All Foam STPE200 data lists water absorption of 1.19% by volume after 24 hours.
AFP closed-cell materials are chosen for applications where their closed-cell structure and low water uptake are useful.
However, no foam sheet makes a complete case or package waterproof by itself.
Seams, cut edges, adhesives and the outer enclosure all affect moisture protection.
What about temperature?
STPE200 has a listed working temperature range of -30C to +80C.
AFP grades have their own technical data and should be checked separately.
Do not transfer a temperature value from one polyethylene foam to another.
The same applies to adhesives and surrounding materials.
What about fire performance?
STPE200 is not fire retardant.
AFP30 and AFP45 also need to be checked from their own current product data before any fire-related requirement is assumed.
If a project has a defined fire specification, select from verified data rather than from the material family name.
What about electronics?
Standard STPE200 should not be assumed to provide a required anti-static or ESD specification.
Likewise, ordinary closed-cell foam is not automatically anti-static.
Static-sensitive electronics require the correct verified packaging product.
Read Ethafoam for electronics packaging and the anti-static packaging foam guide.
Cut-to-size work
Both semi-rigid and closed-cell foams can be converted for suitable applications, but the finished geometry matters.
When asking for cut pieces, provide:
- finished dimensions
- quantity
- tolerance if important
- intended application
- item weight
- safe support points
- whether parts are bonded or loose
For STPE200, see the cut-to-size Ethafoam guide.
Quick answers about Ethafoam vs closed cell foam
Is Ethafoam the same as AFP30?
No. All Foam treats STPE200 and AFP30 as separate products with different specifications and catalogue roles.
Is Ethafoam the same as AFP45?
No. AFP45 is a rigid, dense closed-cell polyethylene grade, while STPE200 is the separate semi-rigid packaging product.
Which foam is best for packaging?
There is no single best grade. Choose from the item, load, available space, required structure, environment and specialist requirements.
Which should I use for a heavy case?
Check weight distribution and support area first. STPE200, AFP30 or AFP45 can behave differently depending on thickness and load geometry.
Is STPE200 anti-static?
Do not assume it is. Use a product with the correct verified anti-static or ESD performance where required.
A simple selection process
Choose the material in this order:
1. identify the item and journey 2. measure the usable packaging space 3. identify safe support surfaces 4. decide how much structure the insert needs 5. check weight distribution 6. review moisture and temperature exposure 7. confirm anti-static or fire requirements 8. compare the exact product data 9. prototype and test where the value or risk justifies it
This is more reliable than choosing from density or appearance alone.
Compare products by the job they need to do
STPE200 is not simply another name for AFP30 or AFP45.
All Foam keeps the ranges separate so buyers can compare a semi-rigid packaging foam with firmer closed-cell sheet options.
Start with the packaging requirement, then select the grade and thickness that fit it. View Ethafoam STPE200, compare closed cell foam sheets, or contact All Foam with the item dimensions, weight and intended use.
