Application of PVC Core Material in Shipbuilding, characteristics and Processing Methods

Application

PVC core material has been widely used in the shipbuilding industry, mainly for manufacturing hull structures, decks, bulkheads, and other composite components. It is commonly used in combination with glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) or carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) to enhance the strength and rigidity of the structure while reducing weight.

CNC machined PVC Foam 3D core 

Characteristics

• Lightweight and High Strength:

  • PVC core material has a low density but provides high strength and rigidity, which helps reduce the weight of the hull and improve fuel efficiency.

• Good Corrosion Resistance:

  • PVC core material exhibits good corrosion resistance against seawater, salt spray, and other marine environmental factors, making it suitable for long-term use in marine environments.

• Good Thermal and Sound Insulation:

  • PVC core material offers good thermal and sound insulation properties, contributing to the comfort inside the cabin.

• Easy to Process:

  • PVC core material can be processed in various ways, including cutting, milling, drilling, and thermoforming, making it suitable for complex hull structure designs.

• Cost-Effective:

  • Compared to other high-performance core materials (such as PET or honeycomb core materials), PVC core material typically has a lower cost, making it suitable for mass production.

Kitter Helpers™ PVC foam panel grooving machine

Processing Methods:

• Cutting:

  • PVC core material can be cut using a saw blade cutter or a foam  hot wire cutter to achieve the desired shape and size. CNC machines are particularly suitable for cutting complex curves and shapes.

• Milling and Drilling:

  • CNC milling machines or drilling machines, we usually called foam finishing machines, means PVC foam perforating machine and PVC foam grooving machine, which can be used to mill and drill PVC core material to create the required holes and slots. These operations are commonly used for installing fasteners and other components.

Kitter Helpers™ PVC PET foam perforating machine for ship and other floating vessels

• Thermoforming:

  • PVC core material can be thermoformed into complex three-dimensional shapes. The core material is heated to its softening temperature, then formed using molds, and finally cooled to set the shape.

• Bonding:

  • PVC core material can be bonded to other materials (such as glass fiber or carbon fiber) using adhesives to form composite structures. The choice of adhesive needs to be optimized based on specific applications and environmental conditions.

• Vacuum Infusion:

  • In the manufacturing of composite components, PVC core material can be combined with resin through the vacuum infusion process. This method ensures uniform resin distribution, improving the quality and performance of the components.

CCS-core cutting solutions  supply a whole solution for boatbuilders around the world. Contact our team sales@corecuttingsolutions.com to get more.