PVC foam widespread use in advanced composites is due to its many advantages. The benefits it provides are:
- High strength and stiffness to weight ratio
- Process friendly
- Rot resistance
- Resistance to solvents and most chemicals
- Very good fatigue properties
- Very good thermal insulation
- Good fire behavior
- Low water absorption
- Compatible to many resin systems including epoxy
- Low resin absorption
- Durability
- Ease of adhesion
- Shock absorbance
When processing PVC foam overlaid by prepreg, great caution shoild be taken to avoid outgasing