PVC Foam Board CACO3
Reinforced grade
also Sintra/Celtec/Forex
CACO3 = mineral (CaCO₃) filled construction/formwork board
Lowest-cost heavily filled board for construction panels, formwork and non-critical partitions; stiffer but more brittle.
Values for the CACO3 condition
Other PVC Foam Board grades and fills
PVC Foam Board is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at PVC Foam Board.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low-density free-foam board, 0.30–0.40 g/cm³ | Pick for lowest cost and weight in short-life indoor signage, exhibition panels and mounting board. | — | 6 | — | 40 Shore D |
FF-0.50Default Free-foam board, 0.50 g/cm³ | Default all-purpose signage/display board: best balance of weight, screw holding and price. | — | 10 | 12 | 50 Shore D |
Flame-retardant building grade | Specify for interior wall/ceiling cladding, transport and electrical enclosures where a fire classification is mandatory. | 10 | 12 | 10 | 58 Shore D |
CACO3This page Mineral (CaCO₃) filled construction/formwork board | Lowest-cost heavily filled board for construction panels, formwork and non-critical partitions; stiffer but more brittle. | — | 11 | 6 | 62 Shore D |
Celuka-process board with integral dense skin | Pick when a hard, smooth, print/paint-ready surface and better screw/edge strength are needed at similar overall weight. | 12 | 14 | 10 | 62 Shore D |
High-density free-foam board, 0.55–0.65 g/cm³ | Choose when screw retention, edge machining quality and panel stiffness matter (cabinet doors, jigs, models). | — | 13 | — | 55 Shore D |
Extra-high-density board, 0.65–0.80 g/cm³ | Use for structural furniture panels, CNC-milled parts and threaded/screwed assemblies needing maximum stiffness. | — | 17 | — | 60 Shore D |
What is PVC Foam Board CACO3?
PVC Foam Board CACO3 is PVC Foam Board in the CACO3 grade — lowest-cost heavily filled board for construction panels, formwork and non-critical partitions; stiffer but more brittle. PVC Foam Board CACO3 has a tensile strength of 11 MPa (1.6 ksi), weaker than 78% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 0.75 GPa (0.109 Msi). PVC Foam Board CACO3 has a density of 0.75 g/cm³ (0.0271 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F). FF-0.50 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CACO3 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.7 kg CO₂/kg, better than 87% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.75 g/cm³ (0.0271 lb/in³), better than 83% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.06 W/m·K (0.0347 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 84% of polymer grades
PVC Foam Board CACO3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PVC Foam Board CACO3; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PVC Foam Board reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
PVC Foam Board CACO3 has a density of 0.75 g/cm³ (0.0271 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F).
Mechanical11
PVC Foam Board CACO3 has a tensile strength of 11 MPa (1.6 ksi), weaker than 78% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 0.75 GPa (0.109 Msi).
Thermal10
PVC Foam Board CACO3 is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 0.06 W/m·K (0.0347 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 84% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 55 µm/m·K (30.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical4
PVC Foam Board CACO3 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 14 kV/mm (355.6 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PVC Foam Board CACO3 takes about 70 MJ of energy and emits 2.7 kg of CO₂ — less than 93% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability5
PVC Foam Board CACO3's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PVC Foam Board CACO3
Is PVC Foam Board easy to machine?
Cuts, drills and CNC-routes like hardwood with carbide tools and high rake; use vacuum hold-down, moderate speeds and chip evacuation to avoid heat smearing of the cell walls.
Can PVC Foam Board be welded?
Hot-air/hot-plate welding and PVC solvent cement or PU/cyanoacrylate adhesives work on the skin, but weld and bond strength is limited by the low-density foam core; screws should be coarse-thread or bushed.
Can PVC Foam Board be formed, bent or molded?
Line-bend or thermoform at about 120–150 °C (sheet temperature); avoid deep draws since cells collapse and thickness/density change locally — extruded only, not injection-moulded.
What surface finishes work on PVC Foam Board?
Accepts screen, UV and solvent digital printing, vinyl films, and acrylic/PU paints directly after cleaning; cut edges are porous and should be sealed or edge-banded, and no true polish is achievable.
PVC Foam Board 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 |
|---|---|---|
| poly(vinyl chloride) resin (SG-5/SG-8, Ksuspension PVC homopolymer base | 55 – 75 | 65 |
| calcium carbonate (filler)higher in construction/economy board | 5 – 30 | 15 |
| Ca–Zn or organotin heat stabiliser | 2 – 6 | 4 |
| acrylic processing aid / impact modifiercontrols cell structure and toughness | 3 – 9 | 6 |
| titanium dioxide (TiO2)whitening + UV screening | 1 – 5 | 3 |
| azodicarbonamide + NaHCO3 blowing agent | 0.3 – 1.2 | 0.7 |
| internal/external lubricants and stearat | 0.5 – 2 | 1.2 |
PVC Foam Board CACO3 — frequently asked
What is PVC Foam Board CACO3 used for?
PVC Foam Board CACO3 is typically used for signage boards, display panels, cabinet/furniture panels, bathroom/marine cladding and lightweight structural panels. In short: lightest routable PVC sheet; best-machining rigid foam; weather-resistant sign panel.
What is the tensile strength of PVC Foam Board CACO3?
PVC Foam Board CACO3 has a typical tensile strength of 11 MPa (1.6 ksi) — weaker than 78% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is PVC Foam Board CACO3 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades). Cuts, drills and CNC-routes like hardwood with carbide tools and high rake; use vacuum hold-down, moderate speeds and chip evacuation to avoid heat smearing of the cell walls.
Can PVC Foam Board CACO3 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Hot-air/hot-plate welding and PVC solvent cement or PU/cyanoacrylate adhesives work on the skin, but weld and bond strength is limited by the low-density foam core; screws should be coarse-thread or bushed.
What surface finishes work on PVC Foam Board CACO3?
Accepts screen, UV and solvent digital printing, vinyl films, and acrylic/PU paints directly after cleaning; cut edges are porous and should be sealed or edge-banded, and no true polish is achievable.
Can PVC Foam Board CACO3 be formed, bent or molded?
Line-bend or thermoform at about 120–150 °C (sheet temperature); avoid deep draws since cells collapse and thickness/density change locally — extruded only, not injection-moulded.
What is the maximum service temperature of PVC Foam Board CACO3?
PVC Foam Board CACO3 is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F), and briefly to 70°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PVC Foam Board FF-0.50 and PVC Foam Board CELUKA?
FF-0.50 is the default condition — default all-purpose signage/display board: best balance of weight, screw holding and price. CELUKA: pick when a hard, smooth, print/paint-ready surface and better screw/edge strength are needed at similar overall weight.
Sources
- Forex Classic expanded PVC sheet technical data — 3A Composites (2022)
- Celtec / Sintra expanded PVC sheet product data — 3A Composites / Vycom (2021)
- ASTM D1621 / D790 / D638 test methods for rigid cellular plastics — ASTM (2020)
- PVC Handbook — Hanser (2005)
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.