When I started trying to find about Foamex, I was getting a little confused on the web… It seems there is another material that is called Foam-X but it isn’t the same stuff as Foamex! Then when I went to signwriters they were asking me if I wanted foamcore or foamboard (sometimes just by description) and I had to learn very quickly the differences so I didn’t get the wrong thing. I ended up doing a bit of extra research and coming up with this summary sheet. It is an amalgamation of stuff from Wiki, a few signwriters forums, a cool site about Sintra that I give a link below, together with a few things I have found myself.
Closed-cell PVC foamboard
(Foam PVC, Trevacel, Simona, Foamex, Forex, Sintra, Paylite)
Closed-cell PVC foamboard is a light-weight rigid material used primarily in the manufacture of signs and displays, although its material properties have made it extremely popular among model makers and prop builders. Like PVC, closed-cell PVC foamboard is solid and has a very rigid structure. Where it differs is in its closed-cell foam structure, which makes it very light (up to half the weight of solid PVC), highly resistant to moisture and some chemicals, and very easy to cut and shape (similar to balsa). It also has thermoplastic properties, and begins to soften at around 65°C. Typically, closed-cell PVC foamboard can be cut softened and shaped by immersing in boiling water or with a standard heat gun, and painted with standard automobile paints.
Alcan Composites produces closed-cell PVC foamboard under the trade-name Sintra®.
Good sites for information about closed-cell PVC foamboard/Foamex/Sintra and how to use it…
Closed-cell PVC foamboard
(Foam PVC, Trevacel, Simona, Foamex, Forex, Sintra, Paylite)
Closed-cell PVC foamboard is a light-weight rigid material used primarily in the manufacture of signs and displays, although its material properties have made it extremely popular among model makers and prop builders. Like PVC, closed-cell PVC foamboard is solid and has a very rigid structure. Where it differs is in its closed-cell foam structure, which makes it very light (up to half the weight of solid PVC), highly resistant to moisture and some chemicals, and very easy to cut and shape (similar to balsa). It also has thermoplastic properties, and begins to soften at around 65°C. Typically, closed-cell PVC foamboard can be cut softened and shaped by immersing in boiling water or with a standard heat gun, and painted with standard automobile paints.
Alcan Composites produces closed-cell PVC foamboard under the trade-name Sintra®.
Good sites for information about closed-cell PVC foamboard/Foamex/Sintra and how to use it…
Foamboard
Foamboard is a type of display board made primarily with foam. It generally consists of a foam core in between two sheets of thin, rigid paper; and is characterized by its light weight, and the ease with which it is scored.
Foam board comes in thicknesses of millimetres to inches, and sizes up to the size of a small wall. It is often used as a display board or poster board, and for making models of buildings and objects. Unlike closed-cell PVC foamboard, standard foamboard is not resistant to the elements as the paper disintegrated with water.
Foamcore
Foamcore is a strong lightweight, easily cut material useful for backing, mounting photographic prints, framing, 3D design and painting. It consists of three layers — an inner layer of Styrofoam®, clad with outer facing of either a white claycoated paper or brown Kraft paper.
The original white foamcore board was made in 1/8 inch (3 mm) and 3/16 inch (5 mm) thicknesses for the graphic arts industry by Monsanto under the trade name Fome-Cor. The surface of the regular board is slightly acidic. For archival photo purposes Monsanto produces a neutral, acid-free version. Similar products are now available from competitors in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses.
This material does not hold up well to some glues, such as superglue, and certain types of paint. The foam tends to melt away and dissolve. While Elmer's White glue works well in casual settings, the water in the glue can warp the fibres in the outer layers. Best results are typically obtained from the higher-end spray adhesives like 3M's Super 77. In situations where a craft store is either not nearby or closed, a hot glue gun can be used as a substitute, although the low viscosity of hot glues can show up in finished projects with board warp, bubbles, or other unsightly blemishes.
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