PVC Foam Core FAQs
What is the difference between UNION-StruCell® PVC foam core and regular PVC foam board?
UNION-StruCell® PVC foam core is a premium, engineered structural core material, fundamentally different from standard PVC foam boards in composition, performance, and application:
- Application & Performance: Our StruCell® core is designed for high-end structural components that require a high strength-to-weight ratio. It provides critical structural support while significantly reducing overall weight, in addition to offering properties like thermal insulation and chemical resistance. In contrast, regular PVC foam board is a general-purpose material with low structural strength and performance.
- Manufacturing & Customization: StruCell® is engineered for precision CNC custom machining, allowing it to be fabricated into complex custom-shaped parts, components, and industrial prototypes beyond simple sheets. Standard PVC foam board is typically limited to basic shapes and sheets.
- Composition & Quality: Our core material uses a refined formulation to achieve a consistent, microcellular closed-cell structure. Many common PVC foam boards are filled with a high content of calcium carbonate (limestone) to reduce cost, which severely compromises their mechanical properties, durability, and weight.
- Use Cases: StruCell® is specified for demanding applications in marine, aerospace, automotive, and wind energy industries. Regular PVC foam board is often used for non-structural purposes like signage, displays, and simple modeling where performance is not critical.
What is PVC foam core primarily used for?
PVC foam core is a rigid, closed-cell material used as the central structural element in composite sandwich panels. It is bonded with fiberglass or carbon fiber skins to create lightweight, strong, and rigid structures for marine, automotive, wind energy, and aerospace applications.
How does your PVC foam core minimize resin absorption?
Our StruCell® technology creates an ultra-high closed-cell structure with microcellular pores. This architecture physically limits the space available for resin, drastically reducing uptake during lamination processes like vacuum infusion, which lowers overall part weight and cost.
Do you offer custom surface treatments for the core?
Yes. We provide a variety of surface treatments to enhance bonding, including plain, perforated, and grooved surfaces. We also offer specialized treatments like scrim reinforcement and can develop custom solutions based on your technical drawings.
What certifications does your PVC foam core hold?
Our manufacturing facility is ISO 9001 certified, and our marine-grade PVC foam core is certified by DNV GL. We comply with international standards including ASTM and ISO, ensuring global acceptance for critical applications.
What is the difference between PVC foam core and PE foam?
PVC foam core is rigid, closed-cell, and structurally load-bearing, while PE foam is flexible, open-cell, and unsuitable for structural applications. PVC foam offers better water resistance, thermal stability, and fire retardancy.
Can I get custom-sized PVC foam boards?
Yes, we provide CNC cutting and custom surface treatments (grooved, perforated, scrim-backed) based on your design specifications.
Do you offer free samples?
Yes, we offer free A4-sized samples for testing and validation.
What is the typical delivery time?
Small orders: 5–7 days; full container loads: 15–20 days.
