    
foam
centered boards
In need of high-quality
composite foam center boards! Look no further than
Tri-Dee Distributors Inc. We offer a wide variety of foam
boards at competitive prices. From standard paper faced Foam
Core Boards to Aluminum clad Foam We keep our items in
stock, you receive your order quickly. With strict
attention to detail, and we can custom cut your boards to meet
your needs. order online
or by phone, we are here to serve
you.
For more information on
Foam
Centered boards,
Please do not hesitate to contact us anytime with your needs
at (360) 336-6131
9:30 to 5:30 PT
Cut
to Size Available in most all types of boards
Our
Shipping centers are located throughout North America. [USA]
[CANADA]
Normal shipping time for un cut sheets is 4 to 10 days. Add a
few days for custom cutting. We save you money on
Freight ,
Note: sizes 32" X 48" X 6" and under can
ship UPS / FedEx Call for Quote.
Foam core
/ Foam board / Fome-cor /Foam-x
Foam core boards are made with a polystyrene foam core and either a
white clay coated, black or brown Kraft paper facing. The way the polystyrene bubbles are formed
during manufacture allows the edges to stay sealed, or at least crimped,
during die cutting. This creates a characteristic pillow effect. It also
means that any accidental impressions or dents can permanently damage
the foam board. The foam center is not affected by moisture, but the surface
paper is, and outdoor use as well as wet mounting can be a problem. The
surface of foam boards will readily accept oil paints and acrylic paints, but the foam
is sensitive to solvents, particularly those in lacquers and shellacs.
Fome-Cor cuts easily with a razor blade, if the blade is sharp and
without defects; if it is not, it can tear the foam board instead of cutting
it. My experience with this particular foam board is that it behaves as if it
had a grain and tends to cut well in only one direction. This board is
commonly used in dry mounting and vacuum mounting, as well as in wet
mounting when counter mounting is done.
There are several types or brands of Foam board:
Standard foam board, Foam-x, Fome-Cor, sturdy board,
Releal By Insite, Biodegradable, Fire Resistant Foam Board by Insite, Acid-free
(ARCHIVAL) Fome-cor, The surface pH of Foam Board is slightly acidic, 5.5 to 6.5, and it is for this
reason Monsanto produces an acid-free Fome-Cor where the surface paper
is buffered to a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. The printed literature for this board
suggests that it is archival and may be used as a substitute for museum
board. This seems questionable because, for example, the surface of this
foam board is made from a Kraft paper and not a purified cellulose, or cotton
fiber. It is uncertain how much alkaline reserve the buffer can provide
in neutralizing air pollutants and the natural formation of acid during
the aging of Kraft paper. There are also questions about the permanency
of polystyrene itself. This foam board is obviously an improvement on
the original, nevertheless it is heavily used in the picture framing industry.
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Composition of Foam Cores
Structural foam cores are manufactured from a number of
thermoset and thermoplastic polymers including polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), polyurethane (PU), polystyrene (PS), styrene acrylonitrile
(SAN), polyetherimide (PEI) and polymethacrylimide (PMI). Foams
(with the exception of polyurethanes) are produced by mixing liquid
polymers and blowing agents, then pouring the mixture into metal
molds and allowing a partial cure under high heat and pressure. The
resulting rubbery mass, sometimes called an amoeba or an embryo, is
demolded, then placed in a second mold and heated again (with hot
water or steam) in an expansion chamber, which activates the blowing
agent and controls the gas expansion pressure. The result is a
roughly 4-ft by 8-ft by several-inch-thick block of foam, containing
closed, gas-filled bubbles or cells. Foams can be manufactured in
densities ranging from 2 lb/ft3 (30 kg/m3) up to 20 lb/ft3 (300
kg/m3) by varying the ratio of the polymer ingredients to blowing
agents and adjusting gas pressure. Polyurethane foam, a thermoset
that generates gas when an isocyanate is mixed with a polyol, is
either made in batches ("bun casting") or a continuous foaming
process.
Of the various structural foam core types, perhaps the most
commonly used is PVC, which is actually a hybrid of PVC and
polyurea. Two types of PVC foam are available. Cross linked, or
semi-rigid, foams are relatively stiff and strong, can perform at
temperatures up to 120°C/250°F and are resistant to styrene, so they
can be used with polyester and vinyl ester resins. Linear or ductile
PVC foams, made with a different polymer formulation, are more
elastic than cross linked varieties and are widely used in marine
applications, where they offer high deflection before failure and
excellent impact resistance. While linear PVC is easier to heat-form
around complex curves, the tradeoff is somewhat lower mechanical
properties and reduced temperature resistance compared to the cross
linked version. Both offer good properties in fatigue resistance.
Because foams like PVC contain gas under pressure, out
gassing can occur over time — that is, the gas escapes from the
closed cells and migrates to voids or unbonded areas in the
laminate. In some instances, out gassing has been blamed for
delaminating and blistering in marine construction, especially in
parts made at elevated cure temperatures with epoxy resin systems or
finished in dark colors. But core experts contend the problem is
caused primarily by improper laminating technique and poor
skin-to-core bond. Most core manufacturers offer "stabilized"
products that minimize the problem.
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