A Guide To PVC Foam Properties, Types, Applications and more.
PVC foam is widely used across industries such as construction, automotive, and marine. Its lightweight, resilient nature makes it suitable for various applications like thermal insulation, cushioning, and floatation devices, providing reliable performance in challenging environments.
In this guide, we’ll explore what makes PVC foam so useful, including its key properties, advantages, real-world uses, and the different types available. Whether you’re in construction, automotive, or packaging, you’ll find valuable insights on how PVC foam can meet your needs and enhance your projects.
What Is PVC Foam?
PVC foam, or polyvinyl chloride foam, is a lightweight and durable material made by expanding PVC into a foam-like structure. It is resistant to moisture, chemicals, and impacts. PVC foam is used in industries like engineering, mass transit, event displays, and signage, offering versatility and ease of use for a variety of applications.
Properties of PVC Foam
This material has a range of properties that make it a suitable choice for numerous industrial and commercial uses:
Lightweight.
It is significantly lighter than solid PVC, which makes it easy to handle and install.
Resilient.
The closed-cell structure offers excellent impact resistance, maintaining its shape under pressure.
Water Resistance.
Due to its closed-cell composition, it has great resistance to water absorption, making it ideal for marine applications.
Chemical Resistance.
PVC foam is resistant to many chemicals, providing durability in harsh environments.
Thermal Insulation.
It has good insulating properties, which makes it useful for temperature control applications.
Sound Insulation.
It also provides soundproofing benefits, making it an effective material for noise reduction.
What are the Advantages of PVC Foam?
PVC foam offers numerous advantages over other materials:
Cost-Effectiveness.
Compared to many other industrial foams and materials, PVC foam offers an economical choice while maintaining performance.
Versatility.
It can be used in a range of applications, from cushioning to insulation, due to its adaptability.
Durability.
PVC foam is long-lasting and can withstand various environmental conditions, such as exposure to moisture, UV light, and chemicals.
Customisable.
It is available in different thicknesses and densities, allowing manufacturers to select the ideal variant for their needs.
Ease of Fabrication.
PVC foam is easy to cut, shape, and machine, making it adaptable for a wide range of applications. AS Rubber offers expert conversion services, ensuring precision and high-quality results. Our expertise, built over 28 years, allows us to offer tailored solutions, such as custom cutting, shaping, and laminating, ensuring your specific needs are met with precision.
Applications of PVC Foam
Due to its unique properties, PVC foam serves a wide range of applications. AS Rubber's PVC foam products are engineered to deliver quality and performance, addressing the diverse requirements of various industries. Some common applications include:
Construction.
PVC foam is frequently used as an insulating material in building construction, providing thermal and acoustic insulation benefits.
Automotive and Marine.
Its lightweight, water-resistant, and soundproof properties make it suitable for automotive interiors and marine uses, such as floatation devices and insulation.
Signage.
The smooth surface and durability make it ideal for printing and crafting signage, creating a cost-effective, long-lasting solution.
Packaging.
Due to its cushioning properties, it is also used for packaging delicate items, offering protection from impact and vibration.
HVAC Systems.
It is often used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for its insulation properties.
What are the Different Types of PVC Foam?
At AS Rubber we offer an extensive range of PVC foam products, each designed to meet specific application needs. Below are the types of PVC Foam we can convert:
Structural Spacer Tape
AS Rubber's Structural Spacer Tape is a high-quality, adhesive-backed PVC foam tape designed for use in construction applications, particularly glazing systems. It provides a secure and reliable seal while offering excellent load-bearing capabilities. The tape is UV stable, resistant to weather, and features a closed-cell structure, which helps in reducing air and water infiltration. Available in a range of thicknesses from 3mm to 15mm. With AS Rubber's expertise in conversion and over 28 years of experience, our structural spacer tape is built to ensure long-lasting performance and reliability, even in demanding conditions.
Rigid PVC Foam
Our Rigid PVC Foam is a dense, durable material that offers stability and support, making it ideal for construction and engineering applications where both strength and rigidity are important. Available in a range of thicknesses from 3mm to 20mm, our rigid PVC foam provides excellent impact resistance, soundproofing, and insulation properties. The closed-cell structure ensures durability, while the lightweight nature makes it easy to handle and install. Our rigid PVC foam offers the robustness of PVC with the added benefit of being lightweight, ensuring high performance in a variety of demanding environments.
Slow Recovery PVC Foam
The Slow Recovery PVC Foam we manufacture and convert can be used for many applications, such as insulation for HVAC systems, protective packaging for fragile items, and sealing in security tape applications. It gradually returns to its original shape, ensuring a secure seal and minimising leakage in demanding environments.
Our slow-recovery PVC foam is available in various formats and thicknesses, ranging from 3mm to 25mm, and features excellent resistance to weathering, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. The foam also provides good compression set resistance, ensuring reliability over extended use.
Fast Recovery PVC Foam
Fast Recovery PVC Foam provides quick cushioning and effective shock absorption for demanding applications. It rapidly returns to its original shape after compression, making it ideal for dynamic environments involving frequent movement or impacts.
Our range of fast-recovery PVC foam is available in a variety of thicknesses, from 3mm to 25mm, and densities, including 90-100 kg/m³, 100-120 kg/m³, and 140-160 kg/m³, providing flexibility to meet different industrial needs.
PVC foam is a material that offers numerous benefits, such as being lightweight yet durable, highly water-resistant, and adaptable to various applications. At AS Rubber we offer a range of PVC foams, including structural spacer tapes, rigid foams, and both slow and fast recovery variants, all designed for specific industrial uses to ensure high performance and reliability. Whether you need a solution for construction, automotive, or any other demanding industry, AS Rubber's PVC foam offerings provide high performance and cost-effectiveness, ensuring that your needs are met efficiently.
View other products available from our PVC Foams range.
