Cross-linked PVC Foam Core
also Divinycell H, Airex C70
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core (Divinycell H, Airex C70) is a closed-cell cross-linked PVC structural foam supplied from H35 to H250 plus HT, FR and grid-scored (GS) sheet.
Reference datasheet — Cross-linked PVC Foam Core is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the H80 condition
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core grades and fills
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core is supplied in 12 conditions, soft to hard. H80 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 12 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H35 / C70.40 | Lightest grade for lightly loaded interior panels and non-structural fairings where weight dominates. | 1 | 5 | ||
H45 / C70.48 | Economy marine grade for decks and bulkheads with modest core shear demand. | 1 | 5.5 | ||
H60 / C70.55 | Most common hull-side and sandwich-panel density where H80 is heavier than needed. | 2 | 6 | ||
Grooved/scored & perforated infusion sheet | Pick for vacuum infusion of curved panels: cuts and perforations allow drape and resin flow, at the cost of extra resin uptake and slightly lower shear stiffness. | 2 | 4.5 | ||
Fire-rated / low smoke grade | Use for rail, mass-transit and marine interior panels requiring EN 45545 / IMO FTP fire-smoke-toxicity compliance. | 2 | 10 | ||
H80Default Hard drawn | Default marine/industrial density: best all-round stiffness, shear strength and cost per kilogram. | 3 | |||
High-temperature cure grade | Choose when the part is prepreg-cured or post-cured above ~80 °C; withstands roughly 110–130 °C process cycles. | 3 | 8 | ||
H100 / C70.90 | Higher-load hull bottoms, wind-blade shear webs and areas needing better local crush resistance. | 3 | 6 | ||
130 kg/m³ core | Load-introduction zones, engine beds and hard points inside a lower-density panel. | 4 | 5.5 | ||
160 kg/m³ core | High-compression inserts, bolted joints and heavily loaded transom/keel areas. | 5 | 5 | ||
200 kg/m³ core | Near-structural density used as a foam insert replacing plywood/metal backing blocks. | 7 | 4.5 | ||
250 kg/m³ core | Highest standard density for heavily loaded fittings, hoisting points and tooling blocks. | 9 | 4 |
What is Cross-linked PVC Foam Core?
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core (Divinycell H, Airex C70) is a closed-cell cross-linked PVC structural foam supplied from H35 to H250 plus HT, FR and grid-scored (GS) sheet. The default grade has a density of 0.08 g/cm³, 2.5 MPa tensile strength, a 0.095 GPa modulus and 0.031 W/m·K thermal conductivity, and its stiffness-to-weight balance and fatigue resistance make it the workhorse core of marine and wind structures. Service temperature is limited to about 70 °C, so cure exotherm and post-cure must be controlled, and the foam is not UV stable. PET foam is the alternative where higher temperature capability or recyclability is needed. Cross-linked PVC Foam Core has a density of 0.08 g/cm³ (0.0029 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F). Cross-linked PVC Foam Core has a tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.363 ksi), weaker than 91% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.1 GPa (0.0138 Msi).
What is Cross-linked PVC Foam Core used for?
- boat hulls/decks
- wind blade shells
- rail vehicle panels
- industrial sandwich enclosures
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 94% of composite grades
- Lightweight — 0.08 g/cm³ (0.0029 lb/in³), better than 90% of composite grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 85% of composite grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 70°C (158 °F), worse than 98% of composite grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.03 W/m·K (0.0179 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of composite grades
- Low stiffness — 0.1 GPa (0.0138 Msi), worse than 92% of composite grades
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cross-linked PVC Foam Core-H80; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical4
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core has a density of 0.08 g/cm³ (0.0029 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F).
Mechanical7
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core has a tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.363 ksi), weaker than 91% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.1 GPa (0.0138 Msi).
Thermal6
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °F). It conducts heat at 0.03 W/m·K (0.0179 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 97% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 40 µm/m·K (22.2 µin/in·°F).
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 85% of composite grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Cross-linked PVC Foam Core takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability1
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 94% of composite grades).
Common Calculations3
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the composite family
Yield strength against density for every composite grade FabDigit runs. Cross-linked PVC Foam Core is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Cross-linked PVC Foam Core
Is Cross-linked PVC Foam Core easy to machine?
Cuts cleanly with band saw, hot wire, router or CNC at high feed and low pressure; use sharp single-flute tools and vacuum extraction, and support thin sheets to avoid crush.
Can Cross-linked PVC Foam Core be welded?
Not weldable in the metal sense; sheets are joined edge-to-edge with epoxy/polyester putty or thermally butt-fused/heat-bonded by the producer for thick blocks.
Can Cross-linked PVC Foam Core be formed, bent or molded?
Thermoformable over ~70–90 °C for single-curvature shapes; for compound curvature use grooved/scored (GS) sheet in vacuum infusion, and keep exotherm and cure temperature below the grade's limit to prevent cell collapse and outgassing.
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| polyvinyl chloride (PVC)base resin of the IPN | 50 – 70 | 60 |
| polyurea / isocyanate crosslinkerforms the cross-linked (IPN) network with anhydride | 20 – 40 | 30 |
| anhydride + blowing agent + stabilizers/approximate; exact formulations are proprietary | ≥ 5 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on Cross-linked PVC Foam Core?
Sand lightly, degrease and vacuum-dust before lamination; peel-ply or resin-rich skin coat improves bond, and exposed foam should be painted or covered because it is not UV stable.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Cross-linked PVC Foam Core in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Divinycell HAirex C70
How much does Cross-linked PVC Foam Core cost?
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core is a premium-cost composite ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core — frequently asked
What is Cross-linked PVC Foam Core used for?
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core is typically used for boat hulls/decks, wind blade shells, rail vehicle panels and industrial sandwich enclosures. In short: workhorse marine sandwich core; good fatigue resistance; 70 °C service limit.
What is the tensile strength of Cross-linked PVC Foam Core?
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core has a typical tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.363 ksi) — weaker than 91% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is Cross-linked PVC Foam Core easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 94% of composite grades). Cuts cleanly with band saw, hot wire, router or CNC at high feed and low pressure; use sharp single-flute tools and vacuum extraction, and support thin sheets to avoid crush.
Can Cross-linked PVC Foam Core be welded?
Not weldable in the metal sense; sheets are joined edge-to-edge with epoxy/polyester putty or thermally butt-fused/heat-bonded by the producer for thick blocks.
What surface finishes work on Cross-linked PVC Foam Core?
Sand lightly, degrease and vacuum-dust before lamination; peel-ply or resin-rich skin coat improves bond, and exposed foam should be painted or covered because it is not UV stable.
Can Cross-linked PVC Foam Core be formed, bent or molded?
Thermoformable over ~70–90 °C for single-curvature shapes; for compound curvature use grooved/scored (GS) sheet in vacuum infusion, and keep exotherm and cure temperature below the grade's limit to prevent cell collapse and outgassing.
What is the maximum service temperature of Cross-linked PVC Foam Core?
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core is rated for continuous use to about 70°C (158 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Cross-linked PVC Foam Core cost?
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core is a premium-cost composite ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Divinycell H technical data (H35–H250) — Diab Group (2023)
- AIREX C70 cross-linked PVC foam data sheet — 3A Composites Core Materials (2022)
- ASTM C273 / D1621 / D1623 core test methods — ASTM International (2020)
- Sandwich Structures and Core Materials design data — ASM / composites literature (2018)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.