Foam Board Plastic: What's Inside?

what kind of plastic in foam board

Foam boards are composite materials with cardboard or plastic film as the two skins and expanded polystyrene plastic as the core. The core is highly expanded, containing about 90% air, which makes the board very lightweight. The two layers of cardboard give the board stiffness and support. Foam boards are used for printing, painting, mounting, and are also used for POP displays, exhibits, kiosks, sets, props, framing, and signage. PVC foam boards are a type of foam board made of polyvinyl chloride. They are highly waterproof and moisture resistant, making them ideal for outdoor use. They are also fire-retardant and self-extinguishing, achieving Class A or Class 1 fire ratings.

Characteristics Values
Composition Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin powder, activated light calcium carbonate, foaming aids, and additional additives
Density 0.4 to 0.65 g/cm3 or 5 to 18 pounds per cubic foot
Thickness 0.125 inches to 3 inches
Weight Lightweight
Rigidity Rigid
Weather Resistance Weather and moisture resistant
Fire Resistance Meets strict fire safety standards, self-extinguishing, achieves Class A or Class 1 fire ratings
Water Resistance Waterproof, water absorption rate of 0.08%
Durability Durable, high strength-to-weight ratio
Flexibility Flexible and bendable at low density
Colour Available in a variety of colours
Uses Printing, mounting, signage, construction, decoration, furniture, cabinets, large displays, art mounting, model building, crafts, marine/boat building, exterior signage, advertising, retail displays

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PVC foam board is made from polyvinyl chloride

PVC foam board, also known as PVC foam sheet, is a lightweight and versatile plastic material. It is composed of two rigid sheets enclosing an inner foam core. This core is made primarily of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin powder, which forms the main component, making up over 70% of the foam board by weight.

PVC resin imparts rigidity, weather resistance, and fire retardant properties to the foam board. It is combined with foaming agents, which create air pockets in the material, giving PVC foam boards their characteristic lightweight, smooth, and rigid structure. The foaming agents make up around 2-5% of the board's weight and aid in the expansion of the resin into a uniform closed-cell foam structure. Common foaming aids include azodicarbonamide and zinc compounds.

Activated light calcium carbonate is added to the PVC resin and foaming agents, making up 10-20% of the board's weight. This mineral filler enhances the foam density and improves dimensional stability. Additional additives in minute quantities, such as heat stabilizers, lubricants, and pigments, may also be included to optimize performance.

PVC foam board is known for its durability and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. It is also lightweight and easy to work with, making it a popular choice for trade show booths, display cases, staging, event displays, and kiosks. In addition, PVC foam board is highly waterproof and moisture-resistant, with a very low water absorption rate of only 0.08%. This makes it ideal for outdoor use and humid environments, as it does not corrode or degrade when exposed to water.

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PVC-free foam boards use polypropylene or polyethylene

Foam boards are composite materials with cardboard or plastic film as outer layers and expanded polystyrene plastic as the core. They are lightweight, easy to fabricate, and ideal for printing, painting, and mounting.

PVC foam boards, on the other hand, are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin combined with foaming agents. They are lightweight, sturdy, and suitable for interior or exterior applications where strength, durability, and design flexibility are required. They are also highly waterproof and moisture-resistant, making them ideal for outdoor use and humid environments.

PVC-free foam boards are made without polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Instead, they utilize polypropylene or a blend of polypropylene and polyethylene. These boards provide similar strength and durability as traditional PVC materials. They are ideal for projects where chemical leaching is a concern and are commonly used for exterior signage, model building, crafts, and marine/boat building.

PVC-free foam boards offer several advantages. Firstly, they address concerns related to chemical leaching, which is the unwanted transfer of chemicals from the board to its surroundings. This makes them suitable for projects where chemical leaching may pose environmental or health risks. Secondly, PVC-free foam boards provide comparable strength and durability to traditional PVC materials. This means that they can withstand wear and tear and provide long-lasting performance. Additionally, these boards have enhanced thermal insulation properties, making them suitable for applications where maintaining temperature control is important.

Overall, PVC-free foam boards made with polypropylene or polyethylene offer a sustainable and durable alternative to traditional PVC materials. They are ideal for a range of applications, from signage to model building, and provide superior thermal insulation. By eliminating PVC, these boards address environmental and health concerns related to chemical leaching, making them a more eco-friendly choice.

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Foam board is a composite material with cardboard or plastic film skins

Foam board, also known as foam core board or KT board, is a composite material with cardboard or plastic film as the two outer layers or 'skins'. The core is made of expanded polystyrene plastic, which is highly porous, containing about 90% air. This makes the foam core very lightweight, but also soft and easy to crush with your fingers. The two layers of cardboard give the foam board stiffness and support.

Foam board is easy to fabricate and can be cut with a knife, making it ideal for printing, painting, mounting, and laminating. It is commonly used for the mounting of prints and photographs and as backing in picture frames. It can also be used for interior design and architectural models.

There are several grades of foam board available, including FOME-COR®, which is a popular graphic art board known for its performance. It is made of extruded polystyrene foam with clay-coated white or black paper facers. Another grade is GATORFOAM® EXTERIOR, which is made to weather all kinds of outdoor conditions. It consists of wood-fibre veneers bonded to an extruded polystyrene foam core with a weather-tolerant adhesive.

PVC foam board, on the other hand, is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin combined with foaming agents. It is a lightweight and versatile plastic material composed of two rigid sheets enclosing an inner foam core. PVC foam board is highly waterproof and moisture-resistant, making it suitable for outdoor use and humid environments. It also meets strict fire safety standards and is considered self-extinguishing.

There are several types of PVC foam boards, including PVC Celuka board, PVC co-extruded board, and PVC free foam board, each with its own unique properties and applications.

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Extruded polystyrene foam is used in FOME-COR® foam boards

Foam boards are lightweight, rigid, and highly versatile. They are commonly used for graphic art, printing, painting, mounting, and signage. Foam boards are made of plastic, and different types of plastics are used depending on the brand and grade of the foam board.

FOME-COR® foam boards are a type of graphic arts foam board that has been used by professionals for over six decades. FOME-COR® is made of extruded polystyrene foam with clay-coated white or black paper facers. The polystyrene core is highly expanded and contains about 90% air, making the foam board very lightweight. The clay-coated paper facers are purchased from suppliers that participate in either the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or have a Forest Management Certification.

FOME-COR® is renowned for its extreme lightweight properties, superior fabrication capabilities, and excellent printability. Its unique manufacturing process creates a foam core that is unrivalled in cutting precision and fabrication versatility, offering both pillowing and recovery variations. FOME-COR® delivers professional-quality results for retail displays, exhibits, framing, and signage.

FOME-COR® is also ideal for mounting photos and artwork. The FOME-COR® FOUNDATION variant offers acid-free facers for archival preservation. Embossed effects add depth and visual interest unattainable with flat substrates. FOME-COR® is also compatible with various types of printing, including UV flatbed printing, screen printing, and mounting graphics.

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PVC foam boards are highly water-resistant

PVC foam boards are composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, activated light calcium carbonate, foaming aids, and additional additives. The PVC resin powder forms the main component, making up over 70% of the foam board by weight.

The water-resistant properties of PVC foam boards make them suitable for a wide range of applications, including signage, displays, exhibits, and model-making. They are commonly used in exterior signage and marine/boat building due to their ability to withstand high moisture levels without damage.

Additionally, PVC foam boards offer high strength and durability, with a density of around 5 to 18 pounds per cubic foot. They can withstand harsh weather conditions and regular wear and tear, making them a long-lasting choice for various projects.

The water resistance of PVC foam boards also contributes to their versatility. They can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings without the risk of water damage, providing a flexible and durable option for signage, displays, and other applications.

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Frequently asked questions

Foam board, also known as foam core board or paper-faced foam board, is a lightweight and easily cut material used for mounting photographs, as backing for picture framing, for making scale models, and in painting. It consists of a board of polystyrene foam with an outer facing of paper on both sides, typically white clay-coated paper or brown kraft paper.

The plastic used in foam board is typically polystyrene, which is highly expanded and contains about 90% air, making it very lightweight. Other plastics used include polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polypropylene.

PVC foam board is a type of foam board made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as the main raw material. It is an expanded plastic sheet that is more rigid and durable than foam board, making it ideal for complex models and fine carvings. PVC foam board is also waterproof, mildew-resistant, and suitable for outdoor use.

Foam board is lightweight, durable, and easy to fabricate and thermoform. It is also impact-resistant and low cost, making it a popular choice for various applications such as printing, painting, mounting, exhibits, kiosks, sets, and props.

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