Vinyl foam: Effect of density on physical properties

The technology of extruding rigid vinyl foam has grown substantially over the last 10 years. Formulation additives, tooling and processing expertise have made possible a variety of applications such as profile, sheet, and foam core pipe. Many PVC foam manufacturers are interested in reducing the density of their products to reduce costs and achieve lighter weights. The properties, however, are very dependent on the density of the foam product. A fundamental understanding of the relationship of physical properties to foam density is the objective of this paper, along with looking at ways to improve them.