A very common question we receive is; What type of wire should I use to cut X-Type of foam?

 While every application is unique, we've found that this guide is a very good starting point for abrasive wire to material selection. 

FINE WIRE

External Wrapping: High-Carbon Content Steel
Commonly Processed Materials: Expanded Resins, Flexible Foam
Diameter: 1.3MM [0.051IN] (Average Diameter)

A fine coarseness abrasive wire, recommended for cutting flexible polyurethane foams and expanded resins.

MEDIUM WIRE

External Wrapping: High-Carbon Content Steel
Commonly Processed Materials: Rigid Foams, Rigid Expanded Polyurethane, Expanded Polystyrene [EPS]
Diameter: 1.4MM [0.055IN] (Average Diameter)

A medium coarseness abrasive wire, recommended for cutting rigid foams and expanded polystyrenes.

COARSE WIRE

External Wrapping: High-Carbon Content Steel
Commonly Processed Materials: Extruded Polystyrene [XPS], Foamular®, Styrofoam®
Diameter: 1.5MM [0.059IN] (Average Diameter)

A high coarseness abrasive wire, recommended for cutting extruded polystyrene foams.

EXTRA COARSE WIRE

External Wrapping: High-Carbon Content Steel
Commonly Processed Materials: Rebond Foams
Diameter: 1.5MM [0.059IN] (Average Diameter)

An extra-high coarseness abrasive wire, recommended for cutting rebonded foams.

FOAMGLAS WIRE

External Wrapping: Tungsten
Commonly Processed Materials: Foamglas®, Cellular Glass
Diameter: 1.5MM [0.059IN] (Average Diameter)

A tungsten wrapped abrasive wire, recommended for cutting cellular glass foams.

PHENOLIC WIRE

External Wrapping: High-Carbon Content Steel
Commonly Processed Materials: Bakelite®, Arofene®, Milex®
Diameter: 1.4MM [0.055IN] (Average Diameter)

An abrasive wire, recommended for cutting phenolic resin.

WOOL WIRE

External Wrapping: High-Carbon Content Steel
Commonly Processed Materials: Owens Corning Thermafiber®, Roxul Rockwool®
Diameter: 1.5MM [0.059IN] (Average Diameter)

An abrasive wire, recommended for mineral wool, rock wool, slag wool and glass wool.