The properties of the material which will be enclosed in the airtight bag can greatly affect the behavior of the final jamming structure. Below, we present a number of reference values gathered from online databases and experiments of some materials that can be used in jamming structures. Please be aware that these values may need to be validated for your specific sample.
The overall performance will also depend on the number of layers used and the thickness of each layer, so a number of empirical tests may be necessary to ensure that the optimal mechanical properties for a specific application are achieved. The Design Tool section of this document can also provide useful inputs to guide design decisions according to specific requirements.
| Material | Young's Modulus (GPa) | Density (kg/m3) | Coefficient of friction |
| Paper | 5.5 | 800 | 0.5-0.7 |
| Polyester | 2 | 1052 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Steel | 200 | 7850 | 0.7 |
| Nylon | 3 | 1150 | 0.2 |
| LDPE | 0.4 | 928 | 0.25 |
| Polyurethane Foam | 0.003 | 480 | 0.38 |