PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) vs PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)
Polymer · grade comparison
PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) and PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) are both polymer grades. PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 3 MPa (0.363 ksi) against 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi) for PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell), about 4.5 times as much. In exchange, PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) is the more ductile: elongation 150% versus 10% for PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core). PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) is lighter (0.08 g/cm³ vs 0.1 g/cm³ for PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell)) and PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) is stiffer (0.1 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) machines more easily (excellent vs very good), PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) welds better (very good vs poor), and PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) (high, $$$$).
PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell)Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) vs PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core): 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.
PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell)PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Shear Modulus
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 70°C158 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
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)
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 0.3 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 (Flexible, Closed-Cell) | PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) vs PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) — frequently asked
Is PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) stronger than PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell)?
Yes. PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) has a typical tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.363 ksi) against 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi) for PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) — about 4.5 times as much.
Which is cheaper, PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) or PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)?
PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) is high ($$$$). 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 (Flexible, Closed-Cell) or PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)?
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core). Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against very good (78/100) for PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell); for welding the order is PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) first (very good, 70/100) then PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) and PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) 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.