Tool settings for clean, reliable cuts.
Both materials machine well on standard CNC equipment, with less blade wear than traditional board. One principle matters above all: avoid heat build-up. Keep feeds moving and clear the chips, or the tool can clog.
Test your own equipment when first running Sealwise material to establish the optimum settings for your setup. The figures below are reliable starting points, not absolutes.
| Tool | Feed rate | Spindle speed | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mm 3-flute upcut chipbreaker endmill | 15 m/min | 22,000 RPM | General cutting, pocketing, profiling |
| Single flute upcut endmill (6mm) | 5 m/min | 18,000 RPM | Clean cut edges, swarf removal |
| 45° V-bit | 5–8 m/min | 22,000 RPM | V-groove cutting for folding |
| Tool | Feed rate | Spindle speed | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mm 2-flute upcut endmill | 12–18 m/min | 18,000–22,000 RPM | General cutting and profiling |
| Single flute upcut endmill (6mm) | 4–6 m/min | 18,000 RPM | Detail cutting, clean edges |
| Compression bit | 10–15 m/min | 18,000 RPM | Sheet cutting where face finish is critical |
A two-pass approach for precise folds
For 18mm WCB, cut to leave 0.4mm at the base of the groove in two passes: first at 17.5mm deep, second at 17.6mm. The second pass cleans the point and improves fold quality.
After cutting, lightly run a flat screwdriver along the groove to clear swarf at the point. In cold conditions, a little heat on the fold line may help.
Allow for material stretch when folding
When folding boxes, account for stretch during bending. For a 600 × 600mm box, set groove centres at 599.6 / 599.2 / 599.2 / 599.6mm to finish at 600mm external.
| Joint type | Depth |
|---|---|
| Fold joints | 17.6mm |
| End joints | 18mm (full thickness) |
| Slots for 18mm WCB | 18.3mm width |
FS as a substrate core — machining considerations
FS is supplied as a flat substrate core for cladding and IPS panel construction. CNC routing is typically used for rebating, notching and aperture cutting rather than full-depth profiling. Shallow passes with consistent chip clearance give the cleanest results, and vacuum hold-down performs well thanks to the closed-cell structure and flat surface.
Delivery, storage and the protective film.
Both materials arrive with a protective foil on one face. Correct storage keeps surfaces clean and maintains the adhesion properties you’ll rely on later.
Use mechanical handling where possible
Material is delivered on sturdy, treated pallets. Use a forklift or other unloading machinery when available. If manual handling is needed, carry sheets upright with appropriate PPE and a minimum of two people per sheet.
Don’t drag or scratch sheets when removing them from pallets. Use clean lifting methods to reduce static build-up, and remove the protective foil before machining.
Cool, covered and well-ventilated
Store pallets in a cool, covered area and don’t stack more than five pallets high. Keep the environment clean, dry and well-ventilated, and store material in a controlled environment before use to maintain optimal adhesion.
Leave it on until you fabricate. Remove in one continuous movement.
The foil covers one face and can stay in place until you’re ready to cut, print or fabricate, keeping the material free of dust and contaminants. Remove it in a single, continuous pull for the best surface quality. Temperature and humidity affect foil adhesion, so contact our technical team if you have concerns.
Works with the tools you already use.
Both materials run on standard carpentry and panel-processing machinery, with no specialist tooling and reduced blade wear versus traditional substrates.
Fine-tooth blade, high tip count
Both cut easily thanks to the closed-cell core and tight tolerances. Measure length and width before cutting to keep accuracy and avoid waste, and use a fine-tooth, high-tip-count blade for the best finish.
Treat it as you would wood
Shop saws, rip saws, routers, jigsaws and planes all work as they would on timber. Standard techniques give professional results, with no changes to your process or workflow.
Laser, PU and EVA edge banders all compatible
Edge using techniques similar to MFC/MDF. Check the panel profile before you start, and test with your machinery before production work.
400–500 grit, eccentric sander
Finish with 400–500 grit on an eccentric sander. Start at 240 grit only if deep scratches need it, which is rarely necessary. Mesh disks work exceptionally well, and both materials finish to a smooth, professional surface with minimal effort.
| Fastener type | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Screws & self-tappers | Full | Takes threaded bolts directly without pre-tapping. Screw retention outperforms MDF and MFC. |
| Small nails & staples | Compatible | Easily attached. Works well for standard applications. |
| Large nails | Use caution | Increased force may cause cracking. Use smaller fasteners where possible. |
| Cam & dowel fittings | Compatible | Standard furniture fittings perform well. Pre-drill pilot holes to standard wood dimensions. |
Bonding, finishing and surface decoration.
Both materials accept a wide range of adhesives, paints and decorative finishes. W14 is the recommended jointing solution for WCB and delivers a chemically welded, watertight bond.
The patented route to chemically welded, watertight joints
W14 is recommended for strong, watertight joints and is ideal for butt joints and V-groove joints. Developed specifically for Sealwise WCB, it leaves virtually no residue when properly applied. Crucially, W14 chemically welds the two surfaces together — it is not a contact adhesive — and it is this mechanism that eliminates bacterial harbourage at the joint.
Most neoprene contact adhesives are compatible
Both materials work with most neoprene contact adhesives, and PU adhesives also perform well. Contact your adhesive partners for application guidance specific to your requirements.
Use a backing laminate for support
When laminating sheets, use a backing laminate for support. Because the FS surface is smooth, use PU or neoprene adhesives for the best results. FS is commonly laminated with PVC sheet cladding to form a fully recyclable composite panel.
Excellent paint adhesion — agitate the surface first
Most paints work well on WCB. Use an agitator on the surface before applying primer, then undercoat, then paint. For added strength and durability use PU or AC spray paint. Emulsion can be applied directly but isn’t recommended for the best long-term result.
An ideal substrate for decorative and digital work
The rigidity and stability of both materials make them ideal for vinyls and lettering, using all standard application techniques. WCB suits screen and digital printing well; leave the protective film on until you print to keep the surface clean.
Thermal expansion and dimensional data.
As thermoplastic materials, WCB and FS must be installed with allowance for movement as temperature changes. Use the calculator to size the expansion gap for your run.
Size the movement allowance for your run
Based on the published coefficient of 0.8mm per metre per 10°C (ISO 11359-2, K=1: 0.8 × 10⁻⁴). Movement works both ways, so allow for contraction below the install temperature as well as expansion above it, and split the allowance across joints on long runs.
0.8mm per metre per 10°C
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Expansion coefficient (ISO 11359-2) | K=1: 0.8 × 10⁻⁴ |
| Expansion per metre per 10°C | 0.8mm |
Worked example: a 4.5m length installed at 20°C and used at 30°C (a 10°C differential) expands by 3.6mm.
18mm sheet — standard tolerances
| Dimension | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard sheet thickness | 18mm |
| V-groove depth (fold) | 17.6mm (leaves 0.4mm) |
| Slot width for 18mm sheet | 18.3mm |
| Full-depth end joint | 18mm |
| Property | Sealwise WCB | Sealwise FS | MR MDF | Plywood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water absorption | 0% | 0% | High | High |
| Swelling in wet conditions | None | None | Significant | Significant |
| Mould / bacteria risk | None | None | Present | Present |
| Screw retention vs MDF | Superior | Comparable | Baseline | Good |
| Machinability | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| End-of-life recyclability | 100% | 100% | Low | Low |
| Waterproof guarantee | Lifetime | Lifetime | None | None |
The figures here are proven starting points established through production use, not absolute limits, and we recommend testing your own equipment and process when first working with Sealwise material. Fold and groove compensation figures are given for 18mm WCB; confirm with our technical team before applying them to other thicknesses or sizes. Comparison data refers to typical performance of the named materials in wet-environment applications. This is technical guidance, not a warranty or guarantee of performance. Document version 1.0, based on the Sealwise WCB Fabrication Guide, February 2025.