PVC Foam Board vs PVC-O
Polymer · grade comparison
PVC Foam Board and PVC-O are both polymer grades. PVC-O is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for PVC Foam Board, about 7.8 times as much. PVC-O is the more ductile: elongation 90% versus 12% for PVC Foam Board, and PVC-O is harder (82 Shore D vs 50 Shore D). PVC Foam Board is lighter (0.5 g/cm³ vs 1.4 g/cm³ for PVC-O) and PVC-O is stiffer (3.8 GPa vs 0.75 GPa). On the shop floor, PVC Foam Board machines more easily (excellent vs very good), PVC Foam Board welds better (good vs poor), and PVC Foam Board sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PVC-O (standard, $$).
PVC Foam BoardChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
PVC-OChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PVC Foam Board vs PVC-O: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell R
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 80°C176 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 70 µm/m·K38.9 µin/in·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | PVC Foam Board | PVC-O |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
PVC Foam Board vs PVC-O — frequently asked
Is PVC-O stronger than PVC Foam Board?
Yes. PVC-O has a typical tensile strength of 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for PVC Foam Board — about 7.8 times as much.
Which is cheaper, PVC Foam Board or PVC-O?
PVC Foam Board is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PVC-O is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, PVC Foam Board or PVC-O?
PVC Foam Board. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against very good (70/100) for PVC-O; for welding the order is PVC Foam Board first (good, 55/100) then PVC-O (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PVC Foam Board and PVC-O side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.