Foamboards/Support panels, 3A Composites

Description

The table below is extracted from a 3A Composites product guide (2022). It provides descriptions and property comparisons for their support panel products. Please see individual product pages for more information.

PRODUCT CATEGORY	SHEET CONSTRUCTION	WHY CHOOSE THIS MATERIAL	APPLICATIONS	FABRICATION	FORMING	FLAMMABILITY	OUTDOOR USAGE
FOME-COR FOUNDATION Paper-faced Foam Board	Extruded polystyrene foam with high-quality uncoated, acid-free paper facers	• Provides a flat, smooth surface for superior mounting & framing with no read-through lines • Facers ensure a flat & rigid backer material used for framing applications • Perfect for archival preservation of valuable art & photographs • Cost-effective alternative to corrugated cardboard for non-printing applications • Antique white facers meet Library of Congress standards for conservation framing	• Framing • Framing - Archival • POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Signage - Interior	• Mounting • Knife Cutting • Die Cutting/ Punching • Embossing	Relief cuts or scores required for forming	Combustible	Not Recommended
FOME-COR Paper-faced Foam Board	Extruded polystyrene foam with premium bright white double clay-coated or black uncoated paper facers	• Original graphic arts foam board • Provides excellent results for screen or direct digital printing applications • Perfect for die cutting with a compressed, pillowing edge that stays closed • Cuts easily and cleanly, even by hand • Uniquely embossable; Extremely lightweight	• Signage - Interior • POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing	• Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Knife Cutting • Die Cutting/ Punching • Embossing	Relief cuts or scores required for forming	Combustible	Not Recommended
FOME-COR SIRIUS Paper-faced Foam Board	Extruded polystyrene foam with premium, white paper facers with ColorPRO Technology	• Designed to optimize digital printing performance using specialized papers with ColorPRO Technology • Outperforms uncoated boards for color saturation & coverage, & outperforms offset coated boards for print artifacts like banding • Achieves higher black optical density & wider color gamut over uncoated papers • Specialized facers optimize ink consumption, enabling fast printing & short dry times	• Signage - Interior • POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing	• Digital Printing • Knife Cutting • Die Cutting/ Punching • Embossing	Relief cuts or scores required for forming	Combustible	Not Recommended
FOME-COR CANVAS Paper-faced Foam Board	Extruded polystyrene foam with embossed “canvas-like” clay-coated paper facers on both sides	• Deep embossed texture creates a more artistic look • Prints & cuts with the same quality as standard FOME-COR • Excellent delivery time on custom size orders up to 8’ x 10’ • Economical alternative to competitive canvas-like materials	• Signage - Interior • POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing	• Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Knife Cutting • Die Cutting/ Punching • Embossing	Relief cuts or scores required for forming	Combustible	Not Recommended
FOME-COR with ENCORE Technology Paper-faced Foam Board	Recovery polystyrene foam with premium double clay-coated paper facers	• Specially formulated recovery foam is more resistant to denting • Edges remain open when die cut/punched • Bright white, coated paper facers provide excellent printing results	• Signage - Interior • POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing	• Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Knife Cutting • Die Cutting/ Punching	Relief cut or scores required for forming	Combustible	Not Recommended
FOME-COR QUIKSTIK Paper-faced Foam Board	Extruded polystyrene foam with clay-coated paper facers, one side covered with pressure sensitive adhesive	• Eliminates the use of pressure-sensitive adhesive stock • Release facer peels back to reveal adhesive for fast and easy mounting • Available in repositionable Low-Tack (LT) or pressure-activated bonding High-Tack (HT) • HT identified by red release liner and LT identified by blue release liner	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Signage - Interior • Framing	• Mounting • Knife Cutting • Die Cutting/ Punching • Embossing	Relief cuts or scores required for forming	Combustible	Not Recommended
FOME-COR SINGLESTEP Paper-faced Foam Board	Extruded polystyrene foam with clay-coated paper facers, one side covered with heat-activated adhesive	• Eliminates the use of hot melt tissue stock • Adhesive is activated with low temperature settings for a quick, damage-free mount • Can be used on a heated mechanical or vacuum dry mount press, or with a heated roller laminator	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Signage - Interior • Framing	• Mounting • Knife Cutting • Die Cutting/ Punching • Embossing	Relief cuts or scores required for forming	Combustible	Not Recommended
FOME-COR JETMOUNT Paper-faced Foam Board	Denser, extruded polystyrene foam with double clay-coated paper facers	• Enhanced foam core provides increased rigidity and warp resistance • Great for more demanding mounting jobs such as free-standing displays, signage and framing • Prints & cuts with the same quality as standard FOME-COR	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Signage - Interior • Framing	• Mounting • Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Knife Cutting • Die Cutting/ Punching	Relief cuts or scores required for forming	Combustible	Not Recommended
DISPA Paper Composite Board	100% paper board with a unique core structure of embossed, formed paper & smooth white paper facers	• Bright white, smooth paper surfaces are ideal for digital & screen printing • Extremely lightweight for easy handling and installation • Efficient and easy processing capabilities • No unattractive or distracting extrusion lines that can be seen with corrugated or fluted • Made of 100% FSC-Certified paper (FSC-C169891) • 100% recyclable!	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing • Signage - Interior • Hanging Signs	• Mounting • Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Knife Cutting • Routing • Die Cutting/ Punching • Crease Wheel	Relief cuts or scores required for forming	Combustible	Not Recommended
DISPA SIRIUS Paper Composite Board	100% paper board with a unique core structure of embossed, formed paper & premium white paper facers with ColorPRO Technology	• Designed to optimize digital printing performance using specialized papers with ColorPRO Technology • Paper facers absorb less ink than standard uncoated paper, resulting in highly saturated colors & optimized ink consumption • Achieves higher black optical density & wider color gamut over uncoated paper • Delivers sharp details, lines, & text for clear, eye-catching graphics • Made of 100% FSC®-Certified paper (FSC®-C169891); 100% recyclable!	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Signage - Interior • Hanging Signs	• Digital Printing • Knife Cutting • Routing • Die Cutting/ Punching • Crease Wheel	Relief cuts or scores required for forming	Combustible	Not Recommended
DISPA OUTDOOR Paper Composite Board	100% paper board with a unique core structure of embossed, formed paper & smooth white paper facers suitable for exterior applications	• Suitable for short-term outdoor applications & signage • Smooth, white paper surfaces are ideal for digital & screen printing • Extremely lightweight for easy handling and installation • No unattractive or distracting extrusion lines that can be seen with corrugated or fluted materials • Made of 100% FSC®-Certified paper (FSC®-C169891); 100% recyclable	• Signage - Exterior (short-term) • Promotional Displays • Exhibits and Kiosks	• Mounting • Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Knife Cutting • Routing • Die Cutting/ Punching • Crease Wheel	Relief cuts or scores required for forming	Combustible	Suitable for short- term outdoor usage
SINTRA CONSTRUCT Expanded PVC	Moderately expanded PVC especially created for mechanical assembly & fabrication applications	• Very good impact strength and scratch resistance • Easily machined and fabricated • Provides needed staple and screw retention • Highly resistant to moisture absorption; No rotting or de-lamination • Lightweight yet extremely rigid & durable • Heat formable and chemical resistant	• Shelving & Storage components • Framing • Signage - Structural • Exhibits and Kiosks	• Mounting • Repositioning Vinyl • Painting • Saw Cutting • Routing • Forming Curves	• Thermoplastic; heat required for all forming • Drape forming • Vacuum forming • Free forming • Line bending	Not Tested	Suitable for outdoor usage
SINTRA VERS Expanded PVC	Lighter weight, moderately expanded PVC in a homogeneous sheet with a low-gloss satin finish	• The market standard for expanded PVC • Versatile general purpose PVC board for a variety of displayapplications • Very good digital and screen printing results; Can be digitally printed on both sides • Excellent dent and scratch resistance • Lighter weight for easy handling and installation • Ideal for quick-turn, high volume projects	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing • Signage - Interior & Exterior	• Mounting • Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Knife & Saw Cutting • Routing • Die Cutting/ Punching • Forming Curves	• Thermoplastic; heat required • Drape forming • Vacuum forming • Free forming • Line bending	Class A (ASTM E-84) 5mm and less	Suitable for outdoor usage
SINTRA Expanded PVC	Moderately expanded PVC in a homogeneous sheet with a premium, low-gloss satin finish	• The brightest, whitest & most consistent PVC board on the market • Premium bright white surface provides outstanding printing results • Lightweight yet rigid and durable • Easily machined and fabricated • Heat formable and chemical resistant • Superior dent and scratch resistance	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing • Signage - Interior & Exterior	• Mounting • Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Knife & Saw Cutting • Routing • Die Cutting/ Punching • Forming Curves	• Thermoplastic; heat required for all forming • Drape forming • Vacuum forming • Free forming • Line bending	• Class A(ASTM E-84) 3mm and less • Self-extinguishing • UL Recognized	• 6mm gauge or thicker best used for outdoor applications • Colors to use outside: Bright White, Black, Gray and Light Gray
SINTRA ECLIPSE Expanded PVC	Moderately expanded black SINTRA in a homogeneous sheet with a print-optimized bright white, solid PVC facer	• Provides enhanced printing capabilities to black SINTRA - no flood-coating or laminating needed before printing • Lightweight yet rigid and durable • Easily machined and fabricated • Heat formable and chemical resistant • Superior dent and scratch resistance	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing • Signage - Interior & Exterior	• Mounting • Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Knife & Saw Cutting • Routing • Die Cutting/ Punching • Forming Curves	• V-cut & fold using solid, flexible facer • Drape forming • Vacuum forming • Free forming • Line bending	Not Tested	Suitable for outdoor usage
GATORPLAST High Performance Foam Board	Extruded polystyrene foam bonded between two layers of high-impact polystyrene cap sheets	• Bright white plastic facers produce excellent digital printing results • High impact polystyrene facers resist warping • Lightweight and moisture-resistant • Smooth, plastic surfaces are ideal for applying vinyl graphics • Routs & cuts cleanly for easy fabrication	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Signage - Interior	• Mounting • Repositioning Vinyl • Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Knife & Saw Cutting • Routing/ Punching	Cannot be formed	Combustible	Not Recommended
GATORFOAM High Performance Foam Board	Extruded polystyrene foam bonded between two layers of wood-fiber veneer facers	• The original, high-performance graphic arts foam board • Unparalleled rigidity & dimensional stability • Excellent reputation for mounting applications • Dent and scratch resistant • Routes & cuts cleanly for easy fabrication • Available in a wide range of sheet sizes and thicknesses	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing • Signage - Interior	• Mounting • Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Saw Cutting • Routing	Cannot be formed	Combustible	Not Recommended
GATORFOAM PRO High Performance Foam Board	Extruded polystyrene foam bonded between two layers of wood-fiber veneer, one side with / print-optimized surface treatment	• Enhanced printability, ink adhesion, and static resistance • Easy fabrication - routs and cuts cleanly • Bright white facer for vibrant printing results • Excellent dent and scratch resistance	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing • Signage - Interior	• Mounting • Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Saw Cutting • Routing	Cannot be formed	Combustible	Not Recommended
GATORFOAM SELF-ADHESIVE High Performance Foam Board	Extruded polystyrene foam bonded between two layers of wood-fiber veneers, one side with pressure-activated, adhesive	• Eliminates the need for pressure-sensitive adhesive stock • Easy mounting to an extremely rigid & durable foam board • High-tack (HT) adhesive is pressure-activated for a permanent bond • Very good dent and scratch resistance • Routs and cuts cleanly for easy fabrication • Unparalleled rigidity & dimensional stability	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing • Signage - Interior	• Mounting • Saw Cutting • Routing	Cannot be formed	Combustible	Not Recommended
LUMEX G PETG Clear Sheet	Premium quality extruded modified polyethylene terephthalate	• Ideal solution for thermoforming and hot line bending applications • No stress-cracking/whitening when formed • Good chemical resistance • Excellent low-temperature performance • High impact properties allow for a thinner gauge	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing & Glazing • Signage - Interior • Machine Guards • Appliance packaging	• Mounting • Digital/Screen Printing • Vacuum Forming • Thermoforming • Sawing, Drilling • Die Cutting/Punching	• Thermoplastic; heat required for all forming • Vacuum forming • Free forming • Line bending	Class B - s1, d0	Not Recommended
E-PANEL Aluminum Composite Material (ACM)	Two pre-painted sheets of 0.008" aluminum with a solid polyethylene core; manufactured in China	• Suitable for digital & screen printing • Suitable for mounting graphics Very rigid with good flatness • Good durability in exterior applications • Recommended for flat panel applications	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing - Archival • Signage - Interior & Exterior	• Mounting • Repositioning Vinyl • Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Saw Cutting • Routing • Die Cutting-Punching	Recommended for flat panel applications	Not Tested	Suitable for outdoor usage
DIBOND Aluminum Composite Material (ACM)	Two pre-painted sheets of premium 0.012” aluminum with a solid polyethylene core	• Flattest panel on the market • Superior surface protects expensive digital and screen-printed graphics • Excellent durability in outdoor applications; Won’t bow or oil can • Approximately 1/2 the weight of solid aluminum sheet • Can be route-&-returned to add dimension or roll-formed for sweeping curves • Brushed Metal & mirror finishes provide high-end appearance	• POP Displays • Exhibits & Kiosks • Framing - Archival • Signage - Interior & Exterior • Signage - structural<	• Mounting • Repositioning Vinyl • Digital/Screen Printing • Painting • Saw Cutting ]• Routing • Die Cutting/ Punching • Forming Curves	• Easily curved with pyramid roller, hydraulic press or clamped pipe • Angles can be achieved with relief route and return	• Class A(ASTM E-84) 5mm and less • Self extinguishing • UL 94V-0	• Ideal for outdoor usage • No oil canning • Baked on, coil- coated paint finishes

Collection Risks

• Foamboards vary widely in their potential for off-gassing hazardous materials and should be tested prior to use. Boards containing beaded polystyrene may release beads from cut edge.
• Dibond is composed of inert materials (aluminum and polyethylene) that are normally considered safe for housing and displaying collection materials.