PVC Foam Board vs PVDC
Polymer · grade comparison
PVC Foam Board and PVDC are both polymer grades. PVDC is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for PVC Foam Board, about 3.4 times as much. PVDC is the more ductile: elongation 80% versus 12% for PVC Foam Board, and PVDC is harder (65 Shore D vs 50 Shore D). PVC Foam Board is lighter (0.5 g/cm³ vs 1.68 g/cm³ for PVDC) and PVC Foam Board is stiffer (0.75 GPa vs 0.5 GPa). On the shop floor, PVC Foam Board machines more easily (excellent vs poor), PVDC welds better (excellent vs good), and PVC Foam Board sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PVDC (premium, $$$).
PVC Foam BoardChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
PVDCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PVC Foam Board vs PVDC: 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Hardness, Rockwell R
Tear Strength
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
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.)
Mold Shrinkage
Mold 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 Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 20 kN·m/kg · 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 | PVDC |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
PVC Foam Board vs PVDC — frequently asked
Is PVDC stronger than PVC Foam Board?
Yes. PVDC has a typical tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for PVC Foam Board — about 3.4 times as much.
Which is cheaper, PVC Foam Board or PVDC?
PVC Foam Board is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PVDC is premium ($$$). 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 PVDC?
PVC Foam Board. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against poor (30/100) for PVDC; for welding the order is PVDC first (excellent, 85/100) then PVC Foam Board (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PVC Foam Board and PVDC 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.