Foamboards (table)

Description

Lightweight, laminated foam panels. Foamboards are made by placing expanded polymer (styrene, acrylic, polyethylene, polyurethane) sheets between one or two outer layers of paper, metal or plastic to produce a rigid structure in a variety of thicknesses, sizes, and densities. Foamboard belongs to the family of graphic artboards that can be easily cut, mounted, printed, and laminated. Acid-free foamboards are used for matting and mounting works of art.

Depending on the board, the outer cladding may be adhesive paper, cotton archival paper, white clay coated paper, or a common brown kraft paper. Specialized outer coatings are made with aluminum, polymer sheets and/or fire retardants.

Types of foam used for the interiors are listed below:

FOAMBOARDS	Polymer/foam type	Characteristics	Common Applications	Commercial examples	Working properties	Risks
Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)	thermoplastic/ closed-cell	frequently used foam sheet with a wide density range; provides good insulation, moisture resistance and can be heat formed; buoyant	packaging; shoes, underlayment, marine and sports products, construction, toys, mats	Evasote, Sponge Aero Rubber
Polyester (PET)	thermoplastic/ closed-cell	Lighter weight than PVC, or balsa, but not as strong; moisture resistant and recyclable; higher densities are stiffer and stronger; UV resistant	composite layups, structural panels, partitions	(McMaster-Carr)	Can be soften and shaped with heat; cut with wood-working tools; tensile strength = 260-320 psi; Max temp=300F
Polyethylene (PE)	thermoplastic/ closed-cell	strong, resilient; shock-absorbing, good insulator, buoyant; water-resistant; can be heat sealed	cushioning, packaging, flotation devices; not as good for cushioning as PUR in crates, but can work around that by using things like springs for shock absorption	Ethafoam, Plastazote, Polyplank, Volara	Variations in thicknesses and texture, but generally stiffer than polyurethane	Highly inert but best not to use in direct contact with objects.
Polypropylene (PP)	thermoplastic/ closed-cell	Durable, non-dusting structural foam with very good cushioning properties; may have a longer lifetime than PE foams	shipping plants; lining boxes, flotation devices	Microfoam; Propafoam; Polypro
Polystyrene (XPS)	thermoset/ closed-cell	XPS is extruded polystyrene. It is rigid, thermal insulation, lightweight, moisture resistant; will not rot or mildew (non-biodegradable); Crumbles and produces puffed beads; XPS does not crush as easily EPS	signage; packaging; light duty housing	Gatorboard; ; Ultraboard; Foam Core; Styrofoam; Foamular	Stiff enough to hold plywood; can be built into a structure that has wood elements	Not for outdoor use
Polyurethane (PUR)	thermoset/ closed-cell	Rigid, lightweight, waterproof, inexpensive; resistant to most solvents and atmospheric agent; flame retardant	packaging; sound insulation; vibration dampening; insulated panels for walls and roofs; signage ; wood replacement	Corafoam; Coralight;	Must be lined; easily shaped with woodworking tools	not inert; deteriorates over time with the emission of volatiles; may be recycled at some centers
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)	closed-cell	Extra-lightweight; very rigid, durable, high density, resistant to water, oil and chemicals; high insulation for vibration, noise and heat; fireproof	wood replacement; signage, decoration, advertising, insulation	Sintra, Forex; Komacel; Komatex; Komapor; Celtec	Can be cut, softened and shaped with heat, and painted; tensile strength = 370 psi; Max temp=170F	Cannot be recycled but may be reused; produces noxious gases when hot; hazardous to the environment

Synonyms and Related Terms

cartón pluma (Esp.); plaque de plastique expensé (Fr.); foamboard; foam board; foamcore; mounting board; cushioning; packaging materials

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

• Wikipedia: Foam Accessed Dec 2023
• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
• Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990
• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000
• 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