Foamboards (table)

Description

Lightweight, laminated foam panels. Foamboards are typically made with expanded polymers between one or two outer layers of papers of paper, metal or plastic. Some examples of foamboards are Artcare, Fome-Cor, Gatorfoam, and Crescent Rag board. Acid-free foam boards are used for matting and mounting works of art.

For more information see Foams/Supports.

Synonyms and Related Terms

cartón pluma (Esp.); plaque de plastique expensé (Fr.); foam board; mounting board; structural board

Commercial Products: Foam Core; Artcare; Fome-Cor®; Gatorfoam®

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.

Resources and Citations

• Rachael Perkins Arenstein, Lisa Goldberg, and Eugenie Milroy, ‘Support and Rehousing for Collection Storage’ In ‘Preventive Conservation: Collection Storage’ Lisa Elkin and Christopher A. Norris (eds.), Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, New York. 2019.

• Pam Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002

• A Glossary of Paper Conservation Terms, Margaret Ellis (ed.), Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York City, 1998