When being processed, sandwich panels with a foam core made of polystyrene (at Modulor “foamboard”) are very different from the higher quality Kapa boards with a foam core made of polyurethane: polystyrene foam reacts badly to most solvent containing glues, paints and varnishes. The core of the foamboards that we have on offer should never come into contact with those types of substances. Even cutting work on the foamboards is different from that on the higher quality KAPA boards. While PUR foam hardly crumbles at all when being cut, that is not always the case with PS foam cores.

In contrast to market leader Kapa's range of products, sandwich panels with PS foam cores have a limited number of versions. This limitation is especially important in the case of the self-adhesive boards (Kapa fix vs. self-adhesive foamboard) as well as those boards that are meant to be covered (Kapa mount). While the company Kapa, with both Kapa fix and Kapa mount, has on offer boards that will not warp because the laminated aluminium foil acts like a tensile reinforcement, warping is a very real possibility with foamboard if it is not counter laminated (back side strengthened).

The PS foam core does, however, have one advantage; when exposed to light it will not tend to turn yellow like the PUR foam core of the Kapa boards. If the edges are to remain uncovered for a long time, foamboard should be your board of choice. In all other cases, and especially when larger areas are to be in use, we highly recommend that you choose the somewhat more expensive Kapa board.

Applications: Foamboard, especially in smaller formats, can be used just like Kapa board. A few examples would be: for mounting photos, posters, layouts or pictures; as carrier material for the production of presentation surfaces as well as signage in visual advertising or at events. Foamboard's light weight and high rigidity make it very transportable and the fine foam enables it to be made into a simple pinboard. The fact that it is so easy to work with meant that is was predestined to be used in model making and in the construction of backdrops.

Treatment: Foamboard can be cut very simply with a CUTTER held at a flat angle. Really angular cutting edges can be attained by using special knives like FOAMWERKS CUTTING TOOLS in conjunction with a straightedge. Be sure to do any gluing work with polystyrene compatible adhesives like TESA ALL-PURPOSE GLUE or UHU POR because glues containing solvents can corrode the PS foam core. DOUBLE-SIDED ADHESIVE TAPE or TRANSFER FILM can also be used. Removable or temporary connections can be made using NEEDLES or PINS.

Foamboard should also not be painted or printed with colouring materials containing solvents because there is always the danger that the foam core could corrode as a result. If water-based colours are used, both side of the board should be painted because otherwise it could warp. The same is true for laminations: the same material should be applied to the back of the board so that it will not warp.

More information for processing foamboard can be found under KAPA BOARDS.