FabDigitFabDigit

Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80

Temper · default condition

also Divinycell H, Airex C70

H80 = hard drawn

Default marine/industrial density: best all-round stiffness, shear strength and cost per kilogram.

Premium cost $$$

Values for the H80 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
H35 / C70.40
Lightest grade for lightly loaded interior panels and non-structural fairings where weight dominates.—15—
H45 / C70.48
Economy marine grade for decks and bulkheads with modest core shear demand.—15.5—
H60 / C70.55
Most common hull-side and sandwich-panel density where H80 is heavier than needed.—26—
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.—24.5—
Fire-rated / low smoke grade
Use for rail, mass-transit and marine interior panels requiring EN 45545 / IMO FTP fire-smoke-toxicity compliance.—210—
H80DefaultThis page
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.—38—
H100 / C70.90
Higher-load hull bottoms, wind-blade shear webs and areas needing better local crush resistance.—36—
130 kg/m³ core
Load-introduction zones, engine beds and hard points inside a lower-density panel.—45.5—
160 kg/m³ core
High-compression inserts, bolted joints and heavily loaded transom/keel areas.—55—
200 kg/m³ core
Near-structural density used as a foam insert replacing plywood/metal backing blocks.—74.5—
250 kg/m³ core
Highest standard density for heavily loaded fittings, hoisting points and tooling blocks.—94—

What is Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80?

Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80 is Cross-linked PVC Foam Core in the H80 temper — default marine/industrial density: best all-round stiffness, shear strength and cost per kilogram. Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80 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). Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80 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).

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 H80 properties

Typical room-temperature values for Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80; 10 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 H80 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).

Density0.08 g/cm³0 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)80°C176 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.3%
Water Absorption (Saturation)2%

Mechanical7

Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80 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).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus0.1 GPa0.01 Msi
Shear Modulus0.03 GPa0 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.32
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)3 MPa0.36 ksi
Compressive Strength1 MPa0.2 ksi
Compressive Modulus0.09 GPa0.01 Msi
Shear Strength1 MPa0.17 ksi

Thermal6

Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80 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).

Thermal Conductivity0.03 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)40 µm/m·K22.2 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)70°C158 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F
Limiting Oxygen Index25%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)85°C185 °F

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 85% of composite grades. UV resistance is fair.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent90/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceFair35/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryResistant to water, seawater, dilute acids/alkalis, aliphatic hydrocarbons and to styrene in polyester/vinylester lay-up; attacked or softened by ketones (MEK, acetone), esters, chlorinated solvents and hot THF; keep below ~70 °C in service.

Sustainability3

Producing a kilogram of Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80 takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 72% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)5.5 kg CO₂/kg
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability1

Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 94% of composite grades).

MachinabilityExcellent90/100

Common Calculations3

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated31 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated1.2 MN·m/kg
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated0

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
polyvinyl chloride (PVC)base resin of the IPN50 – 7060
polyurea / isocyanate crosslinkerforms the cross-linked (IPN) network with anhydride20 – 4030
anhydride + blowing agent + stabilizers/approximate; exact formulations are proprietary≥ 5 (balance)—

Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80 — frequently asked

What is Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80 used for?

Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80 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 H80?

Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80 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 H80 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 H80 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 H80?

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 H80 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 H80?

Cross-linked PVC Foam Core H80 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.

Sources

  1. Divinycell H technical data (H35–H250) — Diab Group (2023)
  2. AIREX C70 cross-linked PVC foam data sheet — 3A Composites Core Materials (2022)
  3. ASTM C273 / D1621 / D1623 core test methods — ASTM International (2020)
  4. 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.