Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC) Foam Boards |
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PVC Foam board is a highly sturdy and lightweight foam board made for a variety of
indoor and outdoor applications. PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride, a popular synthetic
plastic polymer widely used in the market. PVC boards are also labeled as expanded,
moderately expanded, or cellular PVC and are some of the leading non-toxic
thermoplastic materials in the market.
Polyvinyl Chloride is made by the processing of polymerizing the monomer form of vinyl
chloride (abbr. VCM). This is done through a process called suspension polymerization.
As a result, a mixture is formed and expanded PVC is a highly strong, durable, and
long-lasting material due to the polymer and closed-cell structure as well as its chemical
composition.
There are two types of PVC material: rigid and flexible. Rigid PVC boards are ideal for
more solid and durable applications such as frames and piping, whereas flexible PVC is
ideal for insulation applications such as roofing and flooring.
Manufacturers and brands have developed their own PVC foam boards with varying
finishes and textures. Known PVC Foam boards in the market include Celtec, Veranda
(Cellular PVC), Versatex (Cellular PVC), and Sintra (Expanded, Moderately-Expanded
PVC).
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Applications/Usage
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PVC foam boards are known to be versatile which allows them to be suitable for both
exterior and interior applications. Because of their lightweight, rigid, and highly resistant
properties, they are ideal for a number of different usages. ACPs are commonly used
(but not limited) for the following applications:
- As a substrate for painting and mounting
- POP displays, signage, signboards, store displays, and labelling
- Support for furniture and cabinets
- Wall and flooring insulation
- Wall panels for construction, offices building
- Can be used for decor and interior use
- Prop and art design and 3D display
- Replacement for wood
- Kitchen and home improvement
- Window displays and siding
- Cables, wiring, and piping
- Chemical and mechanical applications
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PVC Boards
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Properties of PVC Foam Boards
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Characteristics/Specifications
Expanded PVC has qualities and features that make them a top substrate choice in the
industry. PVC boards are known for (but not limited to) the following properties:
- PVC foam boards are known to be moisture and corrosion resistant which means
that it will not corrode or fade over the life of its application. PVC boards are also
waterproof. This makes the material highly resistant to water absorption.
- PVC foam boards are fire-retardant and have self extinguishing properties. Since
PVC boards are made of thermoplastic material, they are highly thermal and do
have a point in which they turn malleable and start to soften at 149 degrees
fahrenheit. PVC foam material is designed in which it cannot be flammable. In
addition, PVC has insulating properties.
- PVC is highly resistant to a number of elements and chemicals. In addition to
being fire and moisture resistant, PVC foam boards are manufactured to be
resistant to insects, mold, mildew, scratches, cracks, weather, noise, acid, and
most chemicals and toxins.
- PVC foam boards are easily processed and work well with a number of different
conventional, carpentry/wood, and commercial tools. In addition, PVC is easy to
work with and is malleable enough to be cut, bent, shaped, and is not easily
deformed due to lack of water absorption.
- PVC foam boards are an ideal alternative or replacement option to other
substrates and composites such as aluminum, wood, clay, metal (in certain
applications) and other foam boards. In addition, they are cost effective in
comparison to other composite materials because they are often and easily
manufactured.
- PVC is ideal material to print, emboss, laminate, and paint onto. Furthermore,
PVC boards do not require any additional priming, coating, or polishing.
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Thicknesses, Colours, Standard Sizes, and Weight
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Colours & Finishes
PVC Foam boards are most commonly sold in black and white, but manufacturers now
offer a wide variety coloured PVC foam boards such as blue, yellow, red, range, green,
beige/tan, and grey/silver. In addition, PVC foam boards come in a range of textures
and finishes with the most common being a smooth, matte, and glossy finishes, or
ridge/wavy texture.
Thicknesses, Density, and Weights
Currently in the market, PVC boards come in a range of thicknesses with some of the
thinnest foam boards as thin as 1mm (approx. 0.04") to 45 mm (approx. 1.77"). Different
thicknesses and densities can work better than others for different applications. In terms
of density, PVCs can vary between 3 lbs/ft²
to 25 lbs/ft².
Custom & Standard Sizes
Depending on the manufacturer or brand, PVCs can be cut to almost any custom size
or may be supplied in standard/stock sizes (will vary based on manufacturer). PVCs can
be sold in custom sizes and can be custom cut as small as 4x4" squares. PVCs can be
sold in full panel sheets and can come in sizes as large as 4'x8' (48x96") and 6'x10'
(72x120"). Standard sizes in the market include 2x4' (24x48"), 4'x8' (48x96"), 5'x10'
(60x120").
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Colored PVC Boards.
PVC boards come in a range of thicknesses.
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Key properties to consider before ordering PVC?
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To order custom size board. Please use the "Price Calculator" on right panel for more details on pricing and available media types.
- We use and sells Sintra panels made by the leading brand manufacturer
3A Composites. They have been touted as the leading PVC board for more than
30 years. 3A composites manufacture a collection of Sintra boards with varying
finishes, thicknesses, and density for different applications. Sintra boards range
in thickness from 1mm-6mm and are usually made with a low gloss, satin finish.
- For most of our board mounting services (fine art mounting and dry mounting) as
well as our custom cut boards, we offer Sintra panels in black white and either
3mm or 6mm thicknesses. As mentioned above, Sintra PVC panels have self
extinguishing properties and hold a Class A fire rating for panels of 3mm or less.
- Sintra panels are known for everyday, medium-term application life however, 3A
composites does offer other products in the Sintra collection that range from
short to long-term application life. PVC panels are ideal for fabrication methods
such as: cold mounting, digital and screen printing, painting, cutting, and routing.
- We offer custom PVC panels that are the perfect mounting substrates for fine art
prints. You can order any custom fine art print on any of our coated,
photographic, or fine art papers and have it mounted onto Sintra to provide
structure and base to your custom print with the option for lamination. Sintra
boards provide a solid structure and strong base for propping artwork and
lamination.
- For dry mounting posters, prints, and photographs, we also provides PVC
as a substrate option. Dry mounting is done by heating Shellac tissue to adhere
the print onto the Sintra panel. This technique is used as an alternative to using
a wet adhesive to mount the poster or photograph.
- We also offers custom-cut PVC foam boards. We can custom cut PVC
panels for as small as 4"x4" square and up to 96"x48" which is a full 4x8' panel
sheet. We can guarantee a cutting accuracy of up to 1/8 of an inch. For usage, we
find that PVC panels are suitable for both interior and exterior uses and works
well for applications such as signage, window displays, exhibits, and large art
displays.
This article outlines the different backing boards available, and also provides some information
about their alternate use as mounting boards.
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PVC with Satin Finish
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If you have questions about any of our services or products, don't hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff is always happy to assist with answers, advice, or suggestions.
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Custom-Made Picture Framing, Custom Stretcher Bar Frames
, Custom Artist Canvas, Custom Canvas Stretching, Canvas transfer & Dry Mounting Services
A division of USA On Canvas -
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© 2002-2024 - KeenART Media Ltd.
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