PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)
GB GB/T 21558
Cross-linked, rigid closed-cell PVC foam used as a lightweight structural core in composite sandwich panels for boats, wind blades and rail cars, valued for its stiffness-to-weight ratio and fatigue resistance.
Reference datasheet — PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural 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 H80 condition
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) grades and fills
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) is supplied in 11 conditions, soft to hard. H80 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 11 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H80Default Hard drawn | Default all-round marine/wind core: best stiffness-to-weight compromise for hull shells and blade sandwich skins. | 1 | 3 | 10 | |
Cross-linked PVC foam, 45–48 kg/m³ | Lightest structural grade for lightly loaded interior panels and non-structural fairings. | 1 | 2.5 | ||
Linear (non-cross-linked) PVC foam | Choose when impact damage tolerance, large shear strain to failure and hot thermoforming to compound curves matter more than peak stiffness. | 2 | 12 | ||
Cross-linked PVC foam, 60 kg/m³ | Economical core for small-craft hulls, decks and lightly loaded sandwich panels. | 2 | 2.2 | ||
FR / FST grade | Use for rail interiors and passenger-ship panels needing EN 45545 HL2 / IMO FTP compliance. | 2 | 8 | ||
Elevated-temperature cross-linked PVC foam | Pick when prepreg or post-cure cycles exceed the ~80 °C ceiling of standard H grades. | 3 | 6 | ||
Cross-linked PVC foam, 100 kg/m³ | Higher-load core for bottom panels, bulkheads and wind-blade shear webs. | 4 | 2 | ||
Cross-linked PVC foam, 130 kg/m³ | Local reinforcement / hardpoint core under fittings, engine beds and highly loaded webs. | 5 | 1.8 | ||
Cross-linked PVC foam, 160 kg/m³ | High-density insert grade where bolt bearing and local crush resistance dominate. | 5 | 1.7 | 30 Shore D | |
Cross-linked PVC foam, 200 kg/m³ | Very high-density core for heavily loaded inserts, tooling and machinery foundations. | 7 | 1.6 | 36 Shore D | |
Cross-linked PVC foam, 250 kg/m³ | Top-of-range density used as a machinable structural insert replacing plywood blocks. | 9 | 1.5 | 42 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
GR-PERF | Grooved / perforated (infusion) sheet | Surface finish |
What is PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)?
Cross-linked, rigid closed-cell PVC foam used as a lightweight structural core in composite sandwich panels for boats, wind blades and rail cars, valued for its stiffness-to-weight ratio and fatigue resistance. PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) has a density of 0.08 g/cm³ (0.0029 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F). PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) has a yield strength of 1 MPa (0.174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.363 ksi) — weaker than 96% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 0.1 GPa (0.0138 Msi).
What is PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) used for?
- Sandwich panel cores for boat hulls
- Wind turbine blade cores
- Rail/automotive composite panels
- Cryogenic insulation panels
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.08 g/cm³ (0.0029 lb/in³), better than 87% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 0.12 MPa·√m (0.109 ksi·√in), worse than 100% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 1 MPa (0.174 ksi), worse than 96% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.03 W/m·K (0.0179 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 70°C (158 °F), worse than 77% of polymer grades
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) properties
Typical room-temperature values for PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)-H80; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical2
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) has a density of 0.08 g/cm³ (0.0029 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 80°C (176 °F).
Mechanical12
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) has a yield strength of 1 MPa (0.174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.363 ksi) — weaker than 96% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 0.1 GPa (0.0138 Msi).
Thermal9
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) 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 96% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 40 µm/m·K (22.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)'s machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
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 (Rigid, Structural Core) is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)
Is PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) easy to machine?
Cuts, routes and sands very easily with standard woodworking tools; avoid hot-wire cutting (evolves HCl) and use dust extraction.
Can PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) be welded?
Not weldable; panels are joined by adhesive bonding, resin putty fillets or splicing into the laminate.
Can PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) be formed, bent or molded?
Cross-linked grades take only mild heat-forming (~70–90 °C) or are supplied double-cut/scrim-backed for drapability; linear PVC grades thermoform readily to compound curves.
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural 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)matrix polymer | 50 – 70 | 60 |
| polyisocyanate / polyurea (IPN cross-linreacted MDI-based network giving cross-linked structure | 20 – 40 | 30 |
| anhydride and amide co-reactants | 3 – 10 | 6 |
| blowing agent residue, stabilizers, surfazo blowing agent, Ca/Zn stabilizers | 1 – 5 | 3 |
| flame retardants (FR grades only)phosphorus/chlorine synergists in FST grades | 0 – 15 | 0 |
What surface finishes work on PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)?
Sand faces, remove dust and prime with the matrix resin; closed cells keep resin uptake low but grooves/perforations should be filled during infusion for full bond.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- GB/T 21558
How much does PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) cost?
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 (Rigid, Structural Core) — frequently asked
What is PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) used for?
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) is typically used for sandwich panel cores for boat hulls, wind turbine blade cores, rail/automotive composite panels and cryogenic insulation panels. In short: standard marine sandwich core; high stiffness-to-weight; closed cells, low resin uptake.
What is the yield strength of PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)?
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) has a typical yield strength of 1 MPa (0.174 ksi) and a tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.363 ksi) — weaker than 96% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades). Cuts, routes and sands very easily with standard woodworking tools; avoid hot-wire cutting (evolves HCl) and use dust extraction.
Can PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not weldable; panels are joined by adhesive bonding, resin putty fillets or splicing into the laminate.
What surface finishes work on PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)?
Sand faces, remove dust and prime with the matrix resin; closed cells keep resin uptake low but grooves/perforations should be filled during infusion for full bond.
Can PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) be formed, bent or molded?
Cross-linked grades take only mild heat-forming (~70–90 °C) or are supplied double-cut/scrim-backed for drapability; linear PVC grades thermoform readily to compound curves.
What is the maximum service temperature of PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core)?
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) is rated for continuous use to about 70°C (158 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) cost?
PVC Foam (Rigid, Structural Core) is a high-cost polymer ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 H Technical Data (H45–H250) — Diab Group (2023)
- AIREX C70 / R63 Structural Foam Data Sheets — 3A Composites Core Materials (2022)
- Gurit PVC Structural Foam Core Data — Gurit (2021)
- ASTM C273 / C365 / D1621 / D1623 core test methods — ASTM International (2020)
- Cellular Solids: Structure and Properties (foam scaling laws) — Cambridge University Press (1997)
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.