PET Foam Core: Everything You Should Know

What is PET foam?

PET Foam Core is made from polyethylene terephthalate, or PET polyester resin. It is a closed-cell thermoplastic foam.

It is a high-quality core material for composite structural sandwich panels. The common density is 80–200 kg/m³. PETフォーム has a wide range of uses; it can be used in truck bodies, railroads, ships, automobiles, wind power, construction, and other fields.

what are the advantages of PET?

PET foam core has a lot of advantages and is a recognized foam; the following are its advantages:

100% recyclable: PET foam can be recycled and reused. Residue and chips can also be recycled, helping to protect the environment.

High Temperature Resistance: PET foam can withstand processing temperatures of up to 150 °C (302 °F) during processing. Long-term use can reach 100 °C. It is more thermally stable than EPS and less likely to deform at high temperatures.

High safety: PET foam is non-toxic. It won’t expand or explode in high heat or fire. Also, it doesn’t release toxic gases, so it is very safe.

加工しやすい: PET foam is suitable for most production methods; Composite Box can be processed into PET block, PET plain board, grooving board, PET foam strip, and so on. It is stable during processing and can be adapted to different appearance structures.

Homogeneous cellular structure: The extrusion process creates fine, uniform closed-cell foam. The pore size ranges from 0.01 to 1 mm. This foam has low thermal conductivity and strong mechanical strength. Very high strength-to-density ratio.

Other advantages: good fatigue strength, chemical stability, flame retardancy, high adhesive strength, and good UV resistance.

Density range: 80, 100, 115, 135, 150, 200 kg/m³

What are the applications of PET?

Many industries can use PET.

Dry freight truck body.

It can be used for a トラックボディ as a sandwich core.

It is a high-quality composite material, lightweight, and UV resistant.

風力発電産業：

Composite core
Shells for wind turbine blades.
Cut webs for wind turbine blades.
Nacelle cover

Realizing the application of lightweight materials, promoting the development of new energy and new materials has long been driven by new energy.

Marine industry:

Used for the plywood of ships’ internal structure.
Bulkheads for ships’ cabins
Walls
Ceiling
Decoration and so on.

With lightweight, corrosion resistance, and good waterproof performance.

Other uses:

Can be used as the core for building boards, furniture, etc.

Why is PET foam core better than PVC?

PET has the advantage of high performance, better heat resistance, does not release hydrogen chloride in the production process, and is 100% recyclable. PVC is easy to cause white pollution, while PET is more environmentally friendly.

PET has high tensile and compressive strength and very low water absorption (<1%).

Parameters of PET foam core

パラメータ	Typical Values	Notes
Physical Properties
密度	30–150 kg/m³	Lower density for lightweight applications; higher density for strength.
吸水	<1% (volumetric)	Low moisture uptake ensures dimensional stability in humid environments.
Mechanical Properties
引張強度	30–60 MPa	High-grade variants exceed 60 MPa for structural applications.
圧縮強度	10–30 MPa	Density-dependent; higher values for load-bearing components.
Shear Strength	10–20 MPa	Resists deformation under lateral forces.
Elastic Modulus	1,000–3,000 MPa	Stiffness varies with density and cell structure.
Thermal Properties
熱偏向温度	70–80°C (standard), up to 120°C (modified)	Maintains shape under heat; modified grades for high-temperature use.
熱伝導率	0.03–0.04 W/(m·K)	Good thermal insulation for energy-efficient applications.
耐薬品性
Acid/Alkali Resistance	Resistant to dilute solutions	Performance varies with chemical concentration and exposure time.
Solvent Resistance	Moderate resistance	Sensitive to strong solvents like acetone or benzene.
Other Properties
Cell Structure	Closed-cell, uniform 0.1–1 mm	Homogeneous structure ensures consistent mechanical performance.
難燃性	Oxygen Index 26–30%	Classified as “difficult to ignite” with UL 94 HB or V-0 ratings.