PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell): Properties, Grades & Uses

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) grades and fills

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. T2-MED is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.

Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide

Grade · open for datasheet	Best for	Tensile MPa	Elong. %	Hardness
LD Low-density cushioning foam	Cheapest per volume; use for packaging cushioning and light dust seals, not for load bearing.	0.25	170	5 Shore A
T1-SOFT Type 1 soft / low compression-deflection	Choose when very low closure force is needed on thin sheet metal or plastic housings.	0.35	180	8 Shore A
FR Flame-retardant grade	Required for rail, transit, automotive interior and electrical enclosure sealing.	0.5	130	18 Shore A
T2-MEDDefault Type 2 medium density / medium firmness	General-purpose gasket and cushioning grade balancing sealing force and compressibility.	0.55	150	15 Shore A
PVC-NBR Vinyl-nitrile blend	Pick when oil, fuel and grease contact or better low-temperature flexibility is required.	0.7	160	20 Shore A
T3-FIRM Type 3 firm / high compression-deflection	For load-bearing pads, anti-vibration mounts and gaskets on rigid bolted flanges.	1	110	30 Shore A
HD High-density sponge	Use where abrasion, edge durability and high sealing force matter more than softness.	1	100	38 Shore A

Supply forms, finishes and certifications

Ways PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.

Option	What it is	Type
PSA	Adhesive-backed (acrylic PSA laminated) sheet/strip	Surface finish
MED	Medical / skin-contact grade	Certification
UV	UV-/weather-stabilized outdoor grade	Grade option

What is PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell)?

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) is a plasticised vinyl sponge with a closed-cell structure, graded by density and firmness under ASTM D1667, with PVC-NBR blend, flame-retardant, UV and PSA-backed variants on file. Nominal properties are 0.1 g/cm3 density, 0.55 MPa tensile strength, 150% elongation and 0.04 W/m·K thermal conductivity, supplied as bun-sliced sheet, extruded strip, tape and molded-in-place profiles. It is chosen for moisture resistance, low cost and high compressibility in gasket and cushioning duty. Service stops near 70 °C, so silicone foam is the alternative for hot service. PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) has a density of 0.1 g/cm³ (0.0036 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -30°C (-22 °F). PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) has a tensile strength of 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi), weaker than 88% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (2.9×10⁻⁴ Msi).

What is PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) used for?

Weatherstripping and gaskets
Marine seals
Cushioning pads
Flotation inserts

Advantages

Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
Lightweight — 0.1 g/cm³ (0.0036 lb/in³), better than 86% of polymer grades
Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 81% of polymer grades

Limitations

Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 2%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
Low stiffness — 0 GPa (2.9×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 95% of polymer grades
Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
Limited service temperature — 70°C (158 °F), worse than 77% of polymer grades

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) properties

Typical room-temperature values for PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell)-T2-MED; bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical4

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) has a density of 0.1 g/cm³ (0.0036 lb/in³), lighter than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -30°C (-22 °F).

Density0.1 g/cm³0 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)-30°C-22 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)2%

Water Absorption (Saturation)5%

Mechanical10

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) has a tensile strength of 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi), weaker than 88% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 150% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (2.9×10⁻⁴ Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus0 GPa2.9×10⁻⁴ Msi

Poisson's Ratio0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)0.55 MPa0.08 ksi

Elongation at Break150%

Compressive Strength0.06 MPa0.01 ksi

Compressive Modulus8×10⁻⁴ GPa1.16×10⁻⁴ Msi

Shear Strength0.3 MPa0.04 ksi

Hardness, Shore A15 Shore A

Tear Strength2 kN/m8.6 lbf/in

Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)20%

Thermal8

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.04 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity1,200 J/kg·K0.29 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)80 µm/m·K44.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)70°C158 °F

Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Flammability (UL 94)Standard grades typically meet FMVSS 302; FR grades reach UL 94 HF-1 (cellular) or HBF

Limiting Oxygen Index28%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)95°C203 °F

Electrical3

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)1.3

Volume Resistivity1×10¹² Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 56% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good82/100

UV / Weathering ResistanceFair45/100

Chemical Resistance SummaryGood against water, dilute acids/alkalis, salt spray, alcohols and mineral oils; attacked or softened by ketones, esters, chlorinated and aromatic solvents; plasticizer migration possible against some paints and polycarbonate

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)75 MJ/kg32,244 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content5%

Manufacturability4

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell)'s machinability is very good (78/100, better than 81% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability excellent (90/100).

MachinabilityVery good78/100

WeldabilityVery good70/100

Formability (cold)Excellent90/100

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)170°C338 °F

Common Calculations4

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated6 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated0 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivitycalculated0.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated0

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 polymer family

Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.

Working with PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell)

Is PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) easy to machine?

Steel-rule die cutting, kiss-cutting, waterjet and hot-wire/band-knife slitting all work; avoid high-speed routing which melts and smears the skin.

Can PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) be welded?

RF (dielectric) and hot-air welding are effective on PVC sponge; solvent (THF/cyclohexanone) and contact or acrylic PSA bonding are standard for splices.

Can PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) be formed, bent or molded?

Supplied as buns sliced to sheet, extruded strip or molded-in-place profiles; compression-mold or thermoform at 140–180 °C with generous cooling to avoid cell collapse.

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) 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) resinsuspension/paste PVC, K-value 65–75	40 – 60	50
plasticizer (DOP/DINP/DOTP)level sets softness and low-temperature flexibility	20 – 40	30
calcium carbonate filler	0 – 20	10
chemical blowing agent (azodicarbonamidecontrols cell size and density	1 – 6	3
Ca/Zn or Ba/Zn stabilizer + lubricant	1 – 5	3
nitrile rubber (NBR)only in vinyl-nitrile blends	0 – 30	0
flame retardant (Sb2O3 / ATH)FR grades only	0 – 10	0

What surface finishes work on PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell)?

Skinned or split (open-face) surfaces available; laminate acrylic PSA, fabric or film for wear; printing/painting needs plasticizer-tolerant vinyl inks.

Equivalent designations

Standards and trade names that resolve to PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.

ASTM: D1667

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Benchmark PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) against the top 3 neighbours

How much does PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) cost?

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) — frequently asked

What is PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) used for?

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) is typically used for weatherstripping and gaskets, marine seals, cushioning pads and flotation inserts. In short: low-cost closed-cell gasket foam; water-resistant cushioning; RF-weldable vinyl sponge.

What is the tensile strength of PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell)?

PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) has a typical tensile strength of 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi) — weaker than 88% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 81% of polymer grades). Steel-rule die cutting, kiss-cutting, waterjet and hot-wire/band-knife slitting all work; avoid high-speed routing which melts and smears the skin.

Can PVC Foam (Flexible, Closed-Cell) be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). RF (dielectric) and hot-air welding are effective on PVC sponge; solvent (THF/cyclohexanone) and contact or acrylic PSA bonding are standard for splices.