Foam and the magic of technology - By: Charlie Board

It is rather short-sighted to view foam simply as a filling or padding material. Foam manufacturers have over the years developed different varieties of foam with specific attributes that can transform this most innocuous-looking material into a precision tool.

The key to foam’s ability to be processed into a variety of functional materials lies in the fact that it is created using air or gas pockets – also known as ‘cells’. These cells can be ‘open’ and allow air or liquids to pass freely between them; or they can be ‘closed’ – sealed off from both each other and the surrounding environment. Alongside this open or closed quality, foam can also be made rigid or flexible; and into any weight variation, ranging from very light or very dense.

Control of these attributes at the manufacturing stage leads to the creation of specific foam types.

Thus, certain forms of open cell polyether foam are created for use as complex, post-surgical heat and moisture exchange (HME) breathing filters. Certain polyester foams on the other hand are highly effective at trapping dust, making them ideal for use in air filters.

Even when it comes to packaging, some foams such as plastazote do so much more than simply bulk out the empty space in the boxes; they also act to insulate the contents they are protecting from both heat and moisture. As such they are ideal for use in the transport of delicate artefacts and scientific instruments.

One very sophisticated type of polyurethane foam originally developed by NASA, is even capable of moulding precisely to the shape of the human body, responding to both the latter’s shape and its heat. This foam, known as confor foam, continues to be developed further today.

At Technical Foam Services we pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of foam technology and look forward to helping businesses fully exploit foam’s versatility.

About the Author

The Article is written by http://www.technicalfoamservices.co.uk providing Foam Manufacturers and Foam Suppliers Services.Visit http://www.technicalfoamservices.co.uk for more information on http://www.technicalfoamservices.co.uk Products & Services___________________________Copyright information This article is free for reproduction but must be reproduced in its entirety, including live links & this copy

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