Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160
Grade
also Divinycell H, Airex C70
H160 = 160 kg/m³ core
High-compression inserts, bolted joints and heavily loaded transom/keel areas.
Values for the H160 condition
Other Cross-linked PVC Foam Core grades and fills
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core is listed in 12 conditions; see the grade overview at Cross-linked PVC Foam Core.
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 | — |
H160This page 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 H160?
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 is Cross-linked PVC Foam Core in the H160 grade — high-compression inserts, bolted joints and heavily loaded transom/keel areas. Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 has a tensile strength of 5 MPa (0.783 ksi), weaker than 85% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.21 GPa (0.0297 Msi). Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 has a density of 0.16 g/cm³ (0.0058 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F). H80 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H160 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 93% of composite grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 85% of composite grades
- Lightweight — 0.16 g/cm³ (0.0058 lb/in³), better than 84% of composite grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 75°C (167 °F), worse than 96% of composite grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0225 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of composite grades
- Low stiffness — 0.21 GPa (0.0297 Msi), worse than 88% of composite grades
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Cross-linked PVC Foam Core reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical4
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 has a density of 0.16 g/cm³ (0.0058 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F).
Mechanical7
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 has a tensile strength of 5 MPa (0.783 ksi), weaker than 85% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.21 GPa (0.0297 Msi).
Thermal6
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 is rated for continuous service to 75°C (167 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0225 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% 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 H160 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 H160's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 93% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160
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.
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.
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) | — |
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 — frequently asked
What is Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 used for?
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 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 H160?
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 has a typical tensile strength of 5 MPa (0.783 ksi) — weaker than 85% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 93% 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 H160 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 H160?
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 H160 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 H160?
Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H160 is rated for continuous use to about 75°C (167 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.