PET Foam Core
also Divinycell P, Airex T90
PET Foam Core (Divinycell P, Airex T90) is a recyclable closed-cell thermoplastic polyester foam supplied in P60 through P200 plus FR, HT and TF grades.
Reference datasheet — PET 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 P100 condition
PET Foam Core grades and fills
PET Foam Core is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. P100 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
60 kg/m³ PET foam core | Lightest structural grade for lightly loaded panels, interior sandwich and non-structural fairings. | 0.9 | 4.5 | ||
80 kg/m³ PET foam core | Common hull/deck and wind-blade shell density balancing weight and shear capacity. | 1 | 4 | ||
Thermoformable / grid-scored & perforated core | Scored, perforated or thermoformed sheet supplied for double-curvature infusion; resin uptake and effective density rise with the cut pattern. | 1 | 4 | ||
Flame-retardant PET foam core | Choose when EN 45545 rail, marine FTP or building fire classification is required; mechanicals slightly below the standard grade at equal density. | 2 | 3.5 | ||
P100Default 100 kg/m³ PET foam core | Default all-round structural core for wind-blade webs, marine sandwich panels and transport floors. | 2 | |||
High-temperature / high-crystallinity PET core | Pick for 130–150 °C prepreg or high-temperature infusion cure cycles where standard PET foam would creep. | 2 | 3 | ||
130 kg/m³ PET foam core | Higher-density grade for local load introduction, hard points and highly loaded shear webs. | 2 | 3.5 | ||
150 kg/m³ PET foam core | For fitting/insert zones, engine beds and panels with high local compression. | 3 | 3.2 | ||
200 kg/m³ PET foam core | Densest standard grade, used as a bolt-through/insert core and in heavily loaded transport floors. | 3 | 3 |
What is PET Foam Core?
PET Foam Core (Divinycell P, Airex T90) is a recyclable closed-cell thermoplastic polyester foam supplied in P60 through P200 plus FR, HT and TF grades. The default 0.1 g/cm³ grade gives 1.6 MPa tensile strength, a 0.095 GPa modulus, 0.035 W/m·K thermal conductivity and service to 110 °C, so it tolerates higher cure and process temperatures than PVC foam while retaining good fatigue resistance. It cannot be hot-wire cut because PET melts and smears, and it must be dry before infusion to avoid hydrolysis and voids. Cross-linked PVC foam is the usual alternative where minimum weight governs. PET Foam Core has a density of 0.1 g/cm³ (0.0036 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 78°C (172 °F). PET Foam Core has a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.232 ksi), weaker than 95% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.1 GPa (0.0138 Msi).
What is PET Foam Core used for?
- wind blades
- rail interior panels
- marine structural panels
- automotive composite panels
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 92/100, better than 97% of composite grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 96% of composite grades
- Lightweight — 0.1 g/cm³ (0.0036 lb/in³), better than 86% of composite grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of composite grades
- Low stiffness — 0.1 GPa (0.0138 Msi), worse than 92% of composite grades
- Limited service temperature — 110°C (230 °F), worse than 87% of composite grades
PET Foam Core properties
Typical room-temperature values for PET Foam Core-P100; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical5
PET Foam Core has a density of 0.1 g/cm³ (0.0036 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 78°C (172 °F).
Mechanical7
PET Foam Core has a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.232 ksi), weaker than 95% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.1 GPa (0.0138 Msi).
Thermal8
PET Foam Core is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 60 µm/m·K (33.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
Chemical & Environmental2
UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PET Foam Core takes about 82 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability1
PET Foam Core's machinability is excellent (92/100, better than 97% of composite grades).
Common Calculations4
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. PET Foam Core is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PET Foam Core
Is PET Foam Core easy to machine?
Cuts cleanly with band saw, oscillating knife or CNC router using sharp single-flute cutters and vacuum hold-down; hot-wire cutting is not usable because PET melts and smears rather than ablating.
Can PET Foam Core be welded?
Panels are butt-joined with adhesive paste or resin fillets rather than welded; thermal fusion/heat-welding of PET foam is possible in-plant but not a field process.
Can PET Foam Core be formed, bent or molded?
Thermoformable at roughly 130–160 °C for single- and double-curvature parts; scored/perforated sheets are used for vacuum infusion, and infusion resin uptake should be budgeted at typically 0.5–2 kg/m² depending on cut pattern.
PET 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 |
|---|---|---|
| chain extender / branching agente.g. epoxy-functional oligomer to raise melt strength | 0.3 – 2 | 1 |
| nucleating agent / talc | 0.2 – 2 | 0.8 |
| physical blowing agent (CO2 / N2 / hydrolargely diffused out of the closed cells after conditioning | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
| flame retardant (FR grades only)phosphorus-based systems in EN 45545/V-0 grades | 0 – 8 | 0 |
| polyethylene terephthalate (PET/rPET)largely post-consumer bottle flake in most commercial grades | ≥ 92 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PET Foam Core?
Surfaces need only light sanding and dust removal before lamination; core is fully compatible with polyester, vinylester and epoxy skins and needs no primer, but must be dry before infusion to avoid hydrolysis and voids.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PET Foam Core in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Divinycell PAirex T90
How much does PET Foam Core cost?
PET 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.
PET Foam Core — frequently asked
What is PET Foam Core used for?
PET Foam Core is typically used for wind blades, rail interior panels, marine structural panels and automotive composite panels. In short: recyclable thermoplastic core; 110 °C service temperature; higher-temperature PVC alternative.
What is the tensile strength of PET Foam Core?
PET Foam Core has a typical tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.232 ksi) — weaker than 95% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is PET Foam Core easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, better than 97% of composite grades). Cuts cleanly with band saw, oscillating knife or CNC router using sharp single-flute cutters and vacuum hold-down; hot-wire cutting is not usable because PET melts and smears rather than ablating.
Can PET Foam Core be welded?
Panels are butt-joined with adhesive paste or resin fillets rather than welded; thermal fusion/heat-welding of PET foam is possible in-plant but not a field process.
What surface finishes work on PET Foam Core?
Surfaces need only light sanding and dust removal before lamination; core is fully compatible with polyester, vinylester and epoxy skins and needs no primer, but must be dry before infusion to avoid hydrolysis and voids.
Can PET Foam Core be formed, bent or molded?
Thermoformable at roughly 130–160 °C for single- and double-curvature parts; scored/perforated sheets are used for vacuum infusion, and infusion resin uptake should be budgeted at typically 0.5–2 kg/m² depending on cut pattern.
What is the maximum service temperature of PET Foam Core?
PET Foam Core is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PET Foam Core cost?
PET 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 P — recyclable PET structural foam core datasheet — DIAB Group (2022)
- AIREX T90 / T92 PET foam core technical data — 3A Composites Core Materials (2021)
- ArmaPET Struct / Eco PET foam core data — Armacell (2022)
- ASTM D1621 — Compressive Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics — ASTM (2016)
- ASTM C273 — Shear Properties of Sandwich Core Materials — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM D1623 — Tensile and Tensile Adhesion Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics — ASTM (2017)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2 — Engineering Plastics (PET) — ASM International (1988)
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.