Foam Padding
Foam is a lightweight, versatile, polymer based material used in a number of different industries and applications; one of its biggest applications is foam padding. Padding made from foam material can be used virtually for any industry or product that requires extra lining for protection or comfort. Products that use foam padding include knee braces, shoe insoles, helmet liners, cervical collars, positioning devices, backpacks, duty belts, training weapon covers, cosmetic makeup applicators and bike seats just to name a few. Foam padding is also used in furniture such as beds, couches and chairs.
Foam padding is made from a variety of materials, though the most popular are closed cell foam, open cell foam, polyurethane and polyethylene. Closed cell foam contains "cells", or bubbles, in the foam which are sealed and unbroken. The cells are full of a special gas, selected to make the insulation value of the foam as high as possible. Closed cell foam has varying degrees of hardness, depending on its density and a normal closed cell pad is between 2 and 3 pounds per cubic foot; this is strong enough to walk on. Open cell foam is soft and weak because the cells inside the foam are broken. The density of open cell foam is ½ to ¾ of a pound per cubic foot. Open cell foam padding is used to make barstool padding, carpet padding and bench cushions.
Polyurethane foam is also referred to as PE. This foam, made through an extrusion process, is very rigid. Polyurethane foam is the primary padding used in furniture such as beds, couches and chairs. Polyethylene foam is a good choice for packaging or lining products and has excellent buoyancy as well as durability. The capabilities of polyurethane foam also allow it to be an excellent flotation material; it is used in flotation devices and other nautical products. Foam padding can come in a variety of sizes, varying degrees of thickness and in a wide range of colors.