PVC foam board is a lightweight material with good mechanical and insulating properties. A blend of polyvinyl chloride and polyurea, foamed PVC has good bond strength and strong shape due to its linear, closed-cell foam structure.
This typically very light (half the weight of solid PVC) material is very resistant to moisture and some chemicals, and is very easy to cut and shape. It is also thermoplastic and starts to soften around 65c (149f). , closed cell PVC foam board can be cut as easily as wood, soaked in boiling water or softened to shape using a standard heat gun, and painted with standard automotive paint.
manufacturing process
PVC foam is available in a variety of densities, from 3pcf to 25 pcf (45kg/m3 to 400kg/m3). Raw materials are mixed together under controlled conditions and dispensed into molds. The filled mold is then sealed, clamped and placed in a large press and heated. After the process is complete, a solid piece of material emerges from the mold. The material is then expanded in a hot water bath to reach its final density and cured. The cured block is then cut into sheets of different thicknesses according to customer requirements. The process and formulation combine to impart closed-cell properties and excellent physical properties to the foam.
Commonly used
Since foamed PVC has good chemical resistance and low water absorption, it is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It has low impact strength and is commonly used in signage and displays due to its wide color range. PVC foam sheets are easy to manufacture and bond, and are well-resistant to the damaging effects of rain, wind and sunlight. Due to these factors, this material is ideal for everyday use.
