Linear PVC Foam Core 210
Grade
also Airex R63
210 = 200–220 kg/m³
Highest strength/stiffness grade for insert, bolt-through and fitting areas replacing plywood pads.
Values for the 210 condition
Other Linear PVC Foam Core grades and fills
Linear PVC Foam Core is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Linear PVC Foam Core.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
60 kg/m³ | Lightest grade — interior panels, non-structural or lightly loaded sandwich skins where weight dominates. | — | 1 | 35 | — |
Thermoformed / heat-formed core | Linear PVC's key advantage — sheets heat-formed (~90–120 °C) to shape rather than kerf-cut, giving a continuous uncut core in curved parts. | — | 2 | 30 | — |
80Default 80–90 kg/m³ | Default all-round grade: best balance of toughness, thermoformability and mechanical properties for hulls, decks and transport panels. | — | 2 | 30 | — |
150 kg/m³ | Use in local load-introduction zones, hardpoints, engine beds and heavily loaded hull bottom panels. | — | 3 | 28 | — |
210This page 200–220 kg/m³ | Highest strength/stiffness grade for insert, bolt-through and fitting areas replacing plywood pads. | — | 4 | 25 | — |
What is Linear PVC Foam Core 210?
Linear PVC Foam Core 210 is Linear PVC Foam Core in the 210 grade — highest strength/stiffness grade for insert, bolt-through and fitting areas replacing plywood pads. Linear PVC Foam Core 210 has a tensile strength of 4 MPa (0.609 ksi), weaker than 86% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 0.12 GPa (0.0174 Msi). Linear PVC Foam Core 210 has a density of 0.21 g/cm³ (0.0076 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 70°C (158 °F). 80 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 210 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 98% of composite grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of composite grades
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 90% of composite grades
- Lightweight — 0.21 g/cm³ (0.0076 lb/in³), better than 83% of composite grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 100% of composite grades
- Low stiffness — 0.12 GPa (0.0174 Msi), worse than 91% of composite grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.05 W/m·K (0.0277 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of composite grades
Linear PVC Foam Core 210 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Linear PVC Foam Core 210; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Linear PVC Foam Core reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical2
Linear PVC Foam Core 210 has a density of 0.21 g/cm³ (0.0076 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 70°C (158 °F).
Mechanical8
Linear PVC Foam Core 210 has a tensile strength of 4 MPa (0.609 ksi), weaker than 86% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 0.12 GPa (0.0174 Msi).
Thermal7
Linear PVC Foam Core 210 is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 0.05 W/m·K (0.0277 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 45 µm/m·K (25 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
Chemical & Environmental2
UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Linear PVC Foam Core 210 takes about 85 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 79% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability1
Linear PVC Foam Core 210's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 90% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Linear PVC Foam Core 210
Is Linear PVC Foam Core easy to machine?
Cuts cleanly with hot wire, band saw, router or CNC; use sharp tooling, vacuum extraction and avoid melt-smearing from excessive speed.
Can Linear PVC Foam Core be welded?
Not welded structurally; sheets are butt-joined with epoxy/PU adhesive paste or splined, and skins are bonded rather than fused.
Can Linear PVC Foam Core be formed, bent or molded?
Thermoformable at roughly 90–120 °C — its main advantage over crosslinked PVC; also supplied grid-scored for cold draping in infusion.
What surface finishes work on Linear PVC Foam Core?
Sand lightly and dust off before lamination; core must be fully encapsulated by skins/gelcoat — never left exposed to UV, and cure exotherm/post-cure should stay below ~60–65 °C.
Linear 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)thermoplastic, non-crosslinked base polymer | 70 – 95 | 85 |
| polyvinyl acetate / plasticiser & tougheproprietary; provides the ductility that distinguishes linear from crosslinked PVC foam | 5 – 25 | 12 |
| blowing agent residues, stabilisers, pigapproximate; formulations are proprietary | 1 – 6 | 3 |
Linear PVC Foam Core 210 — frequently asked
What is Linear PVC Foam Core 210 used for?
Linear PVC Foam Core 210 is typically used for thermoformed sandwich parts, impact-resistant marine panels and transportation sandwich panels. In short: most ductile PVC core; thermoformable sandwich core; 30% elongation to break.
What is the tensile strength of Linear PVC Foam Core 210?
Linear PVC Foam Core 210 has a typical tensile strength of 4 MPa (0.609 ksi) — weaker than 86% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Linear PVC Foam Core 210 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 90% of composite grades). Cuts cleanly with hot wire, band saw, router or CNC; use sharp tooling, vacuum extraction and avoid melt-smearing from excessive speed.
Can Linear PVC Foam Core 210 be welded?
Not welded structurally; sheets are butt-joined with epoxy/PU adhesive paste or splined, and skins are bonded rather than fused.
What surface finishes work on Linear PVC Foam Core 210?
Sand lightly and dust off before lamination; core must be fully encapsulated by skins/gelcoat — never left exposed to UV, and cure exotherm/post-cure should stay below ~60–65 °C.
Can Linear PVC Foam Core 210 be formed, bent or molded?
Thermoformable at roughly 90–120 °C — its main advantage over crosslinked PVC; also supplied grid-scored for cold draping in infusion.
What is the maximum service temperature of Linear PVC Foam Core 210?
Linear PVC Foam Core 210 is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F), and briefly to 75°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- AIREX R63 linear PVC foam core datasheet — 3A Composites Core Materials (2022)
- Structural core materials selection guide (PVC foam cores) — Gurit (2023)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 1 — Composites (sandwich core materials) — ASM International (1987)
- ASTM C365 / C273 / C297 — core compressive, shear and flatwise tensile test methods — ASTM (2022)
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.