Sintra is basically a PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) - Expended closed cell foam core material. It is lightweight but rigid, versatile and durable board.
We will try to explain the pros and cons of Sintra for indoor and outdoor uses when fabricating signs, logos and letters.
So, how does Sintra material enhance decor for indoor and outdoor spaces?
Matrial Charecteristics:
Sintra boards (sometimes called Sentra plastic sheets) come in many colors with a low gloss smooth matte finish on both sides, ranging from 1/4" to 1" in thickness.
For anything thicker than 1", layers can be glued together using a PVC glue that cures fairly fast This material is typically used for 2D shapes and has a very smooth surface finish, so it does not require any post finish, such as patching or sanding.
It is denser than Styrofoam and as such, it is easily machined on a CNC router and does not require any special tools for let's say making holes in it, as opposed to acrylics.
Here are some of its characteristics:
Highly durable - Can withstand extreme weather conditions, resistent to moisture, UV rays and to impact
Lightweight - Therefore easy to handle, install and store
Versatile - Can be cut, shaped, formed to fabricate custom products and designs
Somewhat Affordable
Outdoor & Indoor Use:
Sintra, very much like Styrofoam (Styrene) is great for both indoor and outdoor use, for signage, displays, letters, logos, exhibits and any graphic application.
It can withstand extreme high and low temperatures and will not be corroded or damaged by the sun like for example a Styrofoam material. It is resistant to dents, cuts & scrapes, allowing to leave it outside under the sun for a prolong period of time while still maintaining a new polished appearance.
It is also resistant to moisture and chemicals and therefore it is durable and a long-lasting material.
Can it Be Combined with Other Materials?
Sintra can easily be wrapped with vinyl. The adhesive vinyl print design can easily be appllied and glued to the Sintra, adding an artistic finish to it for products that are hard to be manually painted.
What is it Best Used for?
Sintra is everywhere. From real estate signs to tradeshows decor, photo booth props, indoor and outdoor signs for shops and companies, architectural models, automotive parts, medical devices, packaging and many more.
Walking in a mall you can spot many of them on stores as well as when strolling down your neighborhood.
What are the Characteristic Differences between Sintra and Styrofoam?
Durability - Sintra is more durable than Styrofoam (more resistant to water, humidity, chemicals and the sun) and therefore a better choice for outdoor use when needs to be left in the sun for a long period of time. The Styrofoam might be cracked, get yellowish stains and the paint might fade, while the Sintra will most likely maintain its fresh new-looking appearance
Flexibility - Sintra is more flexible than Styrofoam in a sense that it can bend without breaking. Styrofoam is rigid and cannot be bent.
Printability - Both Sintra and Styrofoam are easy to print, though Styrofoam can be CNC machines or hot wire while Sintra can be machined, or cut with a knife or a saw. Sintra though has a smoother finish while the Styrofoam is a beaded and porous so its finish is not smooth.
Cost - Sintra is more expensive than Styrofoam, so the Styrofoam will most likely be the material of choice when budget is a concern So, the material choice would depend on your budget and on the application of the product: indoor or outdoor use / smooth finish needed vs. finish is negligent / one time use vs. needed to last for a long time.
To learn more about all the products we fabricate and all other materilas we use, visit us at WeCutFoam