What is PVC Board?
PVC board, also known as Chevron board, foam board, co-extruded board. It is a board made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) as the main material. This board has a smooth surface, a honeycomb texture in cross section, light weight, high strength and good weather resistance. It can partially replace wood and steel. It is suitable for a variety of processes such as engraving, perforation, painting, bonding, etc. It is not only widely used in the advertising industry, but also widely used in decoration, furniture and other fields.
Common specifications of PVC boards
The width of PVC board is 1220*2440mm, 1560*3050mm, 2050*3050mm, among which 1220*2440mm is the most used.
The thickness of PVC board ranges from 1mm to 32mm.
The most commonly used color of PVC board is white, of course there are also colored boards, but they are rarely used in actual production. If the finished product must be made into color, it can be sprayed with paint.
Comparison of several common PVC sheets
- PVC sheets are divided into PVC crust foam sheets, PVC free foam sheets and PVC co-extruded sheets according to the production process.
- Crust foam sheets (also known as Chevron sheets or Andy sheets) have a layer of hard skin on the surface of the sheet (single/double sides). They are hard and not easy to scratch. The cut surface has a slightly sandy texture. They are suitable for making PVC letters and are slightly more expensive. The surface hardness of PVC free foam sheets (also known as Fron sheets) is average, with fine and dense concave and convex surface, which may cause scratches and are slightly cheaper.
- The difference between PVC arch extrusion sheets and ordinary foam sheets is that the adhesive film of the latter is glued to the surface of the sheet at room temperature. The film will fall off in a short time (1~2 years); while the former uses a vacuum laminating machine and is laminated at a higher temperature, so it is not easy to fall off.
Common processes for PVC sheets
Engraving
Engraving is the most common and widely used processing method for PVC sheets. PVC engraving generally uses mechanical engraving, and laser engraving is rarely used.
Take the production of PVC characters as an example: after engraving the PVC characters, use a blower (or air compressor) to blow off the fine particles on the surface of the characters, and then polish them.
If you need to spray paint the engraved PVC products, you need to count the PVC characters and arrange them neatly before spraying them to ensure that the paint color of the PVC finished products is uniform.
PVC character engraving
After the PVC characters are arranged, they can be put into use. In addition, you can also use a special acrylic glue to stick a layer of two-color board or acrylic on its surface to increase its quality. Of course, you can also use multiple layers of PVC to make PVC products with thicker thickness and more complex processes.
Mounting pictures
After cutting the PVC sheet, clean the impurities on the surface, and then use a film mounting machine to mount a layer of adhesive picture on the surface of the PVC to make a PVC drawing board. The drawing board made in this way is of good quality. Compared with KT board, it is thicker and more durable.
UV
PVC boards can be used for UV printing, but when printing, the adhesion of the ink to the board needs to be considered. If the ink does not adhere strongly to the surface of the board (it will fall off if scratched), a special curing agent can be used in combination.
PVC material installation
When installing the finished PVC product, in conjunction with the installation artwork, large PVC characters (usually outdoors) can be fixed directly with nails, while PVC characters used indoors can be bonded with glass glue.
Uses of PVC Sheets
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used plastics in the world due to its versatility, durability and affordability. Here are some of the main uses of PVC:
- Construction Industry: PVC is widely used in the construction industry for pipes, fittings, wall panels, roof membranes, window frames and flooring materials. Its excellent chemical resistance, low cost and easy installation make it an ideal choice for many construction purposes.
- Packaging Industry: PVC is commonly used in packaging, including shrink film, plastic wrap, blister packaging and bottles. Its transparency, flexibility and ability to form an airtight seal make it ideal for protecting and preserving a variety of items.
- Electrical Industry: In the electrical industry, PVC is used as an insulating material for wires and cables. It has excellent electrical insulation properties and is resistant to moisture and chemical corrosion, which can effectively protect wires and cables from damage.
- Automotive Industry: PVC is used in the production of various parts in automobile manufacturing, such as door trims, dashboard covers and wiring harnesses. Its good impact resistance and durability allow it to be easily formed into complex shapes.
- Medical Industry: In the medical field, PVC is used for medical catheters, IV bags, blood bags and other medical devices. Its biocompatibility, flexibility and resistance to sterilization make it ideal for these applications.
- Consumer Products: PVC is widely used in a variety of consumer products such as toys, furniture, footwear, inflatable products and household items. Its versatility, durability and plasticity make it an ideal material for manufacturing these products.
Advantages and disadvantages of PVC sheets
PVC sheets are relatively common in our daily lives. The most common ones are some printing shops that produce graphic advertisements. The advantages of PVC sheets are also quite significant, mainly in the following aspects:
- Low density and light weight;
- Non-absorbent and moisture-proof;
- It has good corrosion resistance and is suitable for harsh conditions;
- Heat insulation, can be used in the construction industry;
- It is harder than other materials such as foam board, not easily broken and deformed, and has a longer service life;
- Easier to process than wooden materials;
- No formaldehyde release, more environmentally friendly;
- Good sound insulation effect;
- The price is appropriate and cost-effective;
Although PVC sheets have many advantages, they also have some disadvantages:
- Weak strength and bearing capacity: PVC sheets have certain strength. However, compared with commonly used wood, PVC sheets have lower strength and bearing capacity. PVC foam sheets with a thickness of 5-20 mm can withstand light to moderate weight pressure, such as advertising display boards, interior decoration, light furniture and other scenes. However, for applications that need to withstand heavy weight or long-term stress, such as heavy furniture or building support structures, PVC foam sheets may not be suitable.
- Poor nail gripping ability: PVC sheets have poor nail gripping ability. The same nail, nailed to wood, can be very firm, but if nailed to PVC sheets, the nail is easy to loosen and detach
Future development trend of PVC board
Environmental protection and sustainable development
The development and application prospects of degradable PVC materials: With the improvement of environmental awareness, the degradability and environmental protection of PVC materials will become the focus of future development.
The development of environmentally friendly plasticizers and non-toxic PVC materials: Improve the plasticizer formula in PVC materials and develop non-toxic and environmentally friendly PVC materials to reduce the impact on the environment.
Technological innovation
The development of new processing technology: For example, the application of 3D printing combined with PVC materials will provide new possibilities for the customized production of products such as PVC display racks.
The performance improvement and new use exploration of PVC materials: Improving the performance of PVC materials through technology, such as enhancing its heat resistance and impact resistance, will generate higher application needs.
Conclusion
PVC sheets have a variety of characteristics and uses, and play a vital role in various industries. Understanding its manufacturing process, advantages and disadvantages, and application areas will help to gain a deeper understanding of the world of PVC sheets and their wide range of uses.
If you also want your products to stand out among the many products, hurry up and consult WOW Display for all-day online services. Please feel free to contact professional cardboard display designer & manufacturer-Shenzhen WOW Packaging Display Co., Ltd.
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