Everything about PVC foam
PVC is a relatively well-known term. Many people have heard of it, but what exactly is it, which products can be made of it, what can it be used for, and what does PVC mean? On this page, we would like to tell you more about it.
On this page:
What is PVC foam?
PVC is an abbreviation of polyvinyl chloride. It is a synthetic material that is created by polymerizing vinyl chloride (also known as chloroethene). In this process, the small hydrocarbons found in vinyl chloride are joined together to form a long chain.
Which characteristics does?
The properties of PVC depend on the material made from the raw substance, as it is a highly versatile material. From rigid pipes and sheets to flexible foam and film, there are many different possibilities. It is an easy-to-process material that comes in various forms. When processed into foam, it has a semi-closed cell structure. PVC foam is a durable material with a long lifespan. It is well-suited for outdoor use in various temperatures, offering good UV and ozone resistance. The film is also weather-, UV-, and ozone-resistant, in addition to being water-repellent and slow-burning. Mechanically, it is a very strong material.
PVC foam products from EKI
What are the different types?
PVC is used to produce materials such as PVC foam and PVC film. PVC foam has a semi-closed cell structure. The material attains a fully closed cell structure when compressed to a certain percentage. The foam is highly durable and has a long lifespan, both indoors and outdoors, thanks to its excellent weather resistance and resistance to UV radiation and ozone.
The second material is PVC film, which comes in transparent and black variants. The black variant is commonly known as PVC pond liner due to its water-repellent properties and resistance to frost and weather conditions. Additionally, this material is fish- and plant-friendly and possesses good mechanical properties. The film is suitable for use in low temperatures, UV exposure, and ozone, making it very weather-resistant. This allows the material to be effectively used both indoors and outdoors. Both variants are highly durable and resistant to aging. They are water-repellent and slow-burning. PVC strips can be made from both materials.
How is PVC applied?
PVC foam is a highly suitable material for sealing purposes. As a result, it is often used between window frames, on cavity walls, in partition walls, and in rebates where frames are mounted cold against each other. Additionally, this foam is suitable as insulation material. The self-adhesive variant is commonly used as a draft strip or for sealing against liquids. The foam is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Due to its semi-closed cell structure, PVC foam strips are excellent as sealing tape for joints with irregular surfaces and significant joint movement. An example of this is masonry, where the surface is never completely smooth and even. Such strips are also suitable for sealing against dust, heat, cold, and dirt.
EKI primarily processes the black film into PVC tape, which is mainly used as anti-contact tape. For instance, it can act as a buffer between two metal elements. This is necessary for aluminium frames to prevent oxidation or as a water-resistant barrier in foundations, window frames, and cavity walls. Additionally, the film is often used as roofing membrane. Soft PVC film can also be used as pond liner, lining for water basins, or for rainwater storage. The film can also be adhered to another material, such as foam, to make the material less prone to tearing. When the film is transparent, it is often used to make strip curtains. These can be used to separate, for example, a workshop from a warehouse. Transparent film is also used for tent windows, boat windows, and windbreaks.
In which EKI products is PVC foam used?
Our PVC foam rolls are very flexible, in contrast to the rigid foam sheets. This flexibility allows EKI to easily process PVC foam into various sizes and shapes. Examples include foam tapes, rolls, strips, and bands. Available products in this range include EKI 2000, EKI 2030, EKI 2035, and EKI 2073.
We cut various rolls and tapes from PVC film. Our film is available in black (EKI 1900) or transparent (EKI 291), and can be supplied either completely non-adhesive or with one or two self-adhesive sides. The film can be attached by stapling it to a surface or by using the self-adhesive side(s). Additionally, you can choose from various thicknesses and sizes for these strips.
Frequently asked questions
Receiving advice on PVC?
Do you have questions about PVC or their application for your business? Please let us know using the form below. Our team of specialists will be happy to think along with you.
