Foam Types

DIFFERENT KIND OF FOAMS AVAILABLE TILL DATE

[Name]| TXL-752 | [Date]

DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOAMS

CLOSED CELL FOAM

1.

Ethafoam (Polyethylene) :
Polyethylene foam, strong, resilient,
lightweight, flexible, solid extruded,
medium density (220-as)/high
density (600), closed-cell foam.

Uses: Shock absorbing, vibration damping,

insulation, impervious to most chemicals, Closed
foam, and as a material for cushioning components
in packaging applications for loading up to 17.5
kPa(220-as), 69kPa(600).
Formulated with anti-static properties to safely
protect sensitive electronic equipment during
shipment and storage, outstanding dimensional
stability and recovery characteristics that provide optimal cushioning protection against repeated impacts, it is
ideal for cushion packaging and is used in many computer and electronics application.

Physical properties

Direction

Density
Static Decay Rate

Value (220-as)

Value(600)

35.2 kg/m3

96.1 kg/m3

< 2 sec

Compression Set

Vertical

< 20% (50% compr.)

< 15% (50% compr.)

Compressive Creep

Vertical

< 10% (17.5 kPa)

< 10% (69 kPa)

< 2%

< 2%

.42 / .37 (W/m K)

.42 / .37 (W/m K)

< 3% by volume

< 1% by volume

(1000 hrs @ 23 c)
Thermal Stability (ISO
2796)
Thermal Conductivity

Vertical

24 c / -5 c
Water Absorption
Tensile Elongation

Average

50%

55%

Tensile Strength @ Peak

Average

220 kPa

552 kPa

Tear Strength

Average

1.75 N/mm

5.3 N/mm

PAGE 1

Volara (Cross-linked Polyethylene foam):

Flexible closed-cell polyethylene foam
that is cross-linked by means of a unique
electron irradiation process. This results in a
continuous smooth surface foam with a fine cell
structure and excellent mechanical properties.
Good mechanical properties at low densities, low
water absorption and vapor transmission,
excellent thermal insulation, excellent chemical
resistance, smooth aesthetically pleasing surface.
USES: cap seals, medical tape, sports padding

Physical
properties

Direction

Value (2 pcf)

Value (4 pcf)

Value (6 pcf)

1.8-2.2 pcf

3.6-4.4 pcf

5.4-6.6 pcf

28

18

14

-2%

-1.5%

-1.0%

CM

-1%

-0.7%

-0.7 %

.25 (W/m K)

.30 (W/m K)

.32 (W/m K)

.04

.04

.04

Density
Compression Set
Thermal Stability
(ISO 2796)
Thermal
Conductivity
21 c
Water Absorption
(lbs/sq. ft. of cut
surface)
Elongation To Break
Tensile Strength @
Peak
Tear Resistance
(lbs/inch)

124 %

177 %

203 %

CM

88 %

126 %

140 %

Average

60 psi

123 psi

177 psi

15

24

CM

11

24

35

- = shrinkage M=machine direction, CM = Cross section machine direction

PAGE 2

Rebonded Flexible Foam (moulded polyurethane):

Bonded foam, or rebound, is a moulded polyurethane product made from pieces of shredded flexible
polyurethane foam held together with a binder. It relative high density and excellent resilience make it suitable
for applications including vibration sound damping,flooring, sports mats, cushioning, packaging and carpet
underlay.

Density kg/m3

60 300

Tensile strength kPa

40 150

Elongation at break %

40 90

CLD hardness at 10 % compression

4 20

at 20 %

5 50

at 30%

15 - 150

Neoprene foam:
Due to the superb air tight and water tight properties of expanded Neoprene foam (also known as
neoprene sponge) it is generally used within the automotive, electronic and construction trades.
Its properties also make it suitable for requirements including thermal insulation on items such as garage door
seals.

PAGE 3

Closed cell structure making it

impermeable to air and water and
therefore an ideal material for sealing
against air and/or water.
Outstanding aging properties and will
not go brittle over time.
Very durable and relatively cheap.
Flexible material.
Good UV, ozone, sunlight and oxidation
resilience.
Flame retardant.
Good resistance to oil and many
petroleum derivatives and chemicals.

Density: lb./ft3 (g/cm3)

Hardness
Compression Deflection 25%psi (kPa)
Compression Set %
Tensile Strength psi (kPa)
Tear Strength lb./in (kN/m)
Elongation Typical Properties %
Resilience %
Service Temperature
Low:
High Continuous:
High Intermittent:

6 + 2 (0.096 + 0.032)
45 + 5
3.5 + 1.5 (24 + 10)
<25
75 (520)
9.6 (1.7)
125
35
-40 degree F
200 degree F
250 degree F

EPDM Closed Cell Sponge Rubber:

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) closed cell sponge rubber
material exhibits very good aging properties, compressibility, and shows an excellent
resistance to ozone and oxidation. EPDM foam has a
weak resistance to oils and many petroleum derivatives and chemicals.

Closed cell structure making it impermeable to air and water and therefore
an ideal material for sealing against air and/or water.
Outstanding aging properties and will not go brittle over time.
Very durable and relatively cheap.
Available in a wide range high temperature, hard, soft, super soft.

PAGE 4

Good UV resistance.
Good mechanical properties.
Wide temperature range.

Closed Cell
.02 g/cc
5-9 psi
25% max
5% max
3% max
90 % minimum
65 (min) lb/in
-40 to 100 C
Good
Very Good

Cellular Structure
Shore Hardness
Compression Deflection (00 scale)
Compression Set (50%)
Water Absorption
Linear Shrinkage 10 days / 23 C
Elongation at Break
Tensile Strength
Max Use Temperature
Air & UV Resistance
Ozone Resistance

EVA Foam (Ethylene vinyl acetate):

Light weight, shock resistance and high
elasticity, odorless, good mechanical strength, excellent
chemical resistance, high buoyancy, low water
absorption, good acoustic properties.
USES: athletic padding, thermal insulation,
thermoformed protective covers, a variety of other uses
which require good chemical or water resistance.

Physical
Properties

Units

2 lb

VS
VS
VS
VS
VS
4 lb Foam Foam Foam Foam Foam
9115 9125 9135 9145 5555

VS
Foam
5565

VS Foam
5575

Firm
6 lb

Firm
9 lb

Hardness

Duro 'A'

----

---

60-70

70-80

34-45

45-55

Density

lb/ft3

1-3

3-5

16-19

19-23

5-7

8-10

15-25 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60

5-7

8-10 11-13 13-15 14-17

PAGE 5

25%
Compression
Deflection

psi

% of
Compression
Original
Set

5-10 10-15 20-30 30-40 50-60

--

--

--

40

50

15

10

10

10

10

10

25

20

Tensile
Strength

psi

30

50

180

225

350

375

375

450

480

150

300

Ultimate
Elongation

percent

150

150

250

300

300

350

175

200

150

50

50

Die C Tear

lb/in

10

15

25

35

50

60

60

75

90

40

50

<0.01

<0.01

<0.01

<0.01

Water
Absorption

lb/sq ft <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01

Resilience

percent

40

40

45

35

25

25

15

15

10

20

15

Thermal
Stability

percent

Flame
Resistance
(FMVSS-302)

---

PASS

PASS

---

---

PASS PASS PASS PASS PASS PASS PASS

Vinyl / Nitrile Foam:

Closed-cell structure resists the absorption of water
and other fluids, Its high-performance, waterproof, thermal
insulating property, absorb shock and damping vibrations.
USES: curb sealing, pipe wrapping, filter gasketing and a
variety of other HVAC application.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Density

UNIT OF MEASUREMENT
Lb/ft3

RESULT
3-6

PAGE 6

Tensile Strength
Compression force 25% deflection
Compression Set 50%
Temperature range
Water Absorption
Thermal stability (% change in
length, 7 days @ 220F)
Thermal conductivity
Ozone Resistance

Psi
Psi
F

BTU-IN

25 minimum
1.5-3.0
35 maximum
-40 to 220
10% max
10% max
.290 max
Pass

Silicone Sponge:
Made from gum based polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).Expansion process creates the closed cell sponge
structure, creating compressible air pockets.

Wide operating temperature - Silicone sponge has a temperature range of -100F to 500F (-73C to
260C).
Water sealing - the closed cell structure allows for good water sealing with relatively low compressive
forces.
Compression set resistance - Silicone offers excellent
compression set resistance (ability to rebound to original
thickness), especially at higher temperatures, compared to
most rubber material. Low compression set silicone sponges
are available for even better performance than general
purpose grades.
UV and ozone resistance - Silicone products have excellent
UV and ozone resistance due in part to their inorganic
backbone. This provides long term performance.
Rugged - When silicone is required, silicone sponge parts
offer better toughness as compared to silicone foam products.
Outdoor gasketing - Considering all the above benefits,
silicone sponge is a good material choice for outdoor
environments, from the Arctic to the desert.

Flame retardant silicone sponge (R10400 M):

Property
Density
Compression Deflection
Elongation
Tensile Strength
Compression Set
Tear Strength
Water Absorption
Operating temperature

Unit
Lbs./ft3 (kg/m)
Psi (kPa)
%
Psi (kPa)
%
ppi (kN/m)
%
F (C)

Value
35 (560)
10 (69)
250
100 (690)
10
20 (3.5)
1
-100 to 500 (-73 to 260)

PAGE 7

SILICONE SPONGE OR SILICONE FOAM? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Silicone foam is manufactured from a low viscosity liquid silicone which is cast on a smooth liner and cured
through inline ovens. Silicone foam can be supplied as an open cell, closed cell or combination of both, open
and closed cell material.
Silicone sponge, on the other hand, is mixed and calendared on a rubber mill then cured via inline ovens or
stationary mold press.
Silicone foam is typically lighter in density, compresses with less force and has a lower compression set than
silicone sponge. Both products have good sealing properties, however the sponge has higher tensile strength
and the foam has better flame resistance.

Composite foam:
Honeycomb:
Polypropylene Honeycomb: Tough and
durable, strong impact resistant, resistant to moisture, high
sound and vibration attenuation.

Aramid (Nomex) Honeycomb: Aramid fiber

paper is an excellent lightweight non-metallic core material.
Nomex offers excellent resiliency, low density, corrosion
resistance, flame retardancy, and good compressive strength
to weight ratio.

Kevlar honeycomb: Better than Nomex,

particularly in compressive strength.
Carbon-fiber Honeycomb: Carbon fiber can also be used as a core material; however cost is high.
Limited to space application, e.g. Satellites, where weight saving is critical and thermal expansion need to be
kept at a minimum.

Metal honeycomb: Various metal are used according to the application and property needed,
Aluminum is common metal. The compressive shear strength of aluminum honeycomb are excellent.

PAGE 8

Foams: Foam cores produce extremely lightweight composite

structures. High density foam cores provide greater resistance to
compression and crush, as well as provide damage tolerance from
impact. Low density foam cores with carbon-fiber face sheets,

Airex foam core: Airex is a closed cell, cross-linked polymer

foam, which is lightweight and has good impact strength.

Depron foam core: Depron is an inexpensive, non-structural

foam. A Depron carbon fiber foam core laminate has excellent strength
and stiffness in bending; however, lacks the compressive strength and
crushing resistance of a structural foam core.
Divinycell foam core: Divinycell foam core is a medium density structural foam with very high
strength, often used for heavier duty applications where lighter density foams may not work. In particular,
Divinycell H100 is an excellent damage tolerant foam, and is ideal for applications that require resistance to
impact and local crushing.

Wood
Balsa wood: Balsa wood, when used as a core material in composite
fabrication, offers a very high strength and stiffness to weight ratio. End grain balsa
provides exceptionally high shear, tensile and compressive strengths for its weight.
Balsa is also a renewable resource, with typical balsa trees maturing to 90 feet in
seven years.
Birch plywood: Birch plywood is higher density than balsa wood, providing a durable final product
with excellent compressive strength, resistance to local crushing, and machinability.

OPEN CELLED FOAM

PAGE 9

Dry fast foam (polyurethane foam):

Dry fast foam is an outdoor foam which
has open cell structure and is perfect for areas
where cushions get wet. Dries almost
immediately after exposure to: rain, salt spray,
melting snow, morning dew, washing, or other
type of moisture and humidity. Large, open pores
permit maximum water drainage and air
circulation, allowing use quickly after being wet
or even saturated. Dryfast foam formula is antimicrobial and help suppress microorganism
growth, common in damp area.
USES: outdoor furniture, boat or marine
cushions, pool, filtering for whatever is exposed
to large amount of water.

50 ILD EZ-Dry Foam

Pore size

35 ppi

Density

2.0 lbs./ft3.

Tensile

8 psi

Elongation

25 %

Tear

2 lbs./in

Compression Set 50%

15 %

Properties:

Compression set max : Vinyl/nitrile>Volara>Neoprene>EPDM>Ethafoam>Dry foam>EVA>Silicone Sponge

Tensile Strength :EVA>Silicone sponge>Volara>Neoprene=Ethafoam>rebonded>EPDM>Vinyl/Nitrile>Dry

foam

PAGE 10

PAGE 11