Foamboards/Support panels, 3A Composites

Description

The table below is extracted from a 3A Composites product guide that provides descriptions and property comparisons for their support panel products.

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
		• Original graphic arts foam board		• Mounting
	Extruded polystyrene foam with	• Provides excellent results for screen or direct digital printing applications		• Digital/Screen Printing
FOME-COR	premium bright white double	• Perfect for die cutting with a compressed, pillowing edge that stays closed	• Signage - Interior	• Embossing	Relief cuts or
Paper-faced Foam Board	clay-coated or black uncoated paper	• Cuts easily and cleanly, even by hand	• POP Displays	• Painting	scores required	Combustible	Not
	facers	• Uniquely embossable	• Exhibits & Kiosks	• Knife Cutting	for forming		Recommended
		• Extremely light weight	• Framing	• Die Cutting /Punching
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 • Painting¹ • Knife Cutting • Die Cutting /Punching • Embossing	Relief cuts or scores required for forming	Combustible	Not Recommended
FOME-COR	Recovery polystyrene foam with	• Specially formulated recovery foam is more resistant to denting	• Signage - Interior	• Digital/Screen Printing	Relief cuts or
with ENCORE Technology	premium double clay-coated	• Edges remain open when die cut / punched	• POP Displays	• Painting¹	scores required	Combustible	Not
Paper-faced Foam Board	paper facers	• Bright white, coated paper facers provide excellent printing results	• Exhibits & Kiosks	• Knife Cutting	for forming		Recommended
			• Framing	• Die Cutting /Punching
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 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 • Painting¹ • 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 specially 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 - Strutural • Exhibits and Kiosks	• Mounting³ • 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 display applications • 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 for outside use are Bright White, Black, Gray and Light Gray
SINTRA ECLIPSE Expanded PVC	Moderately expanded black SINTRA in a homogeneous sheet witha 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 form	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 form	Combustible	Not Recommended
GATORFOAM PRO High Performance Foam Board	Extruded polystyrene foam bonded between two layers of wood-fiber veneer, one side w/ 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 form	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 form	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.