Top 10 Features of Expanded PVC (Celtec®/Komatex®)
- Lightweight - About half the weight of solid PVC and 1/3 the weight of acrylic.
- Excellent Printability – Matte surface with high ink adhesion; supports screen, digital UV, and vinyl lamination without surface prep.
- Weather Resistant – Rated for outdoor use up to 3–5 years without significant warping or rot; unaffected by moisture and humidity.
- Easy to Fabricate – Cuts cleanly with standard woodworking tools; can be routed, drilled, heat-bent at ~275–300°F, or glued with PVC adhesives.
- Impact Resistant – Good toughness for display use; resists cracking or chipping under repeated handling.
- Chemical Resistant – Resists diluted acids, alkalis, and many cleaning agents; not recommended with strong solvents (acetone, ketones).
- Flame Retardant Options Certain grades meet UL 94 V-0 or 5V fire ratings; self-extinguishing once flame source removed.
- Good Insulating Properties – Good thermal insulator compared to metals.
- Color Availability – Supplied in standard white plus popular colors (black, red, blue, yellow, green, etc.); sheet thickness range 1mm (0.04") to 25mm (1").
- Cost-Effective – Lower cost than acrylic or polycarbonate; often 30–50% cheaper for signage and display jobs.
Common Applications: Retail signs, POP displays, exhibition boards, yard signs, real estate signs, temporary wayfinding, trade show and exhibit panels,
wall panels, interior cladding, shelving, kiosks, display stands, model making, prototyping, menu boards, presentation backers, point of purchase displays, branded
merchandising panels, photo mounting, framing, wayfinding, partition infill, and decorative panels.
