Closed Cell PE 30 Fender Guard Foam (Grey)
With versatility that makes it the perfect product for a multitude of projects, polyethylene is one of the most utilized but least recognized foam materials on the market. While polystyrene is known for its use in cups and insulation and the soft, and squishy feel of polyurethane foam is something everyone is familiar with, polyethylene is often a forgotten material. But from packaging and flotation devices, to masonry supplies and shock absorbers, it’s hard at work around us every day, whether or not we realize it.
Polyethylene is closed-cell foam, meaning its structure is made of millions of tiny bubbles, sealed off from each other. This provides a resistance to water, in addition to a strength and rigidity not present in open-cell foams. It is also resistant to solvents, petroleum products, and is antimicrobial as well, inhibiting the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. A resilient material, polyethylene returns to form after compression, while still yielding enough to provide cushion and security where it is needed. It is these characteristics, combined with its versatility and customization possibilities, that make it useful in so many applications.
Formed from the heating of polymer compounds, polyethylene foam is able to receive additives to its formula to alter its properties before it is heated and extruded into its solid-state form. This means in addition to the standard polyethylene sheet foam, there are also anti-static and fire retardant varieties of the product. With additives included in the formula, features are consistent all the way through the material, as opposed to treatments added after the foam has been created. Like other foams, it is also available in varying densities for different applications. The higher the density of polyethylene, the smaller and/or thicker the cell walls are, creating a stronger material.
Anti-static properties assist in the packaging, handling, and transportation of delicate electronics, by dissipating electro-static charges that can build and damage components. There are different values and grades of fire retardancy in foam, but in general terms, fire retardant foam resists heat and flames up to a point, and may have the potential to self-extinguish once ignited, as opposed to untreated materials. These are most often seen in insulation materials and in construction. Additionally, some polyethylene foams feature both of these characteristics for highly specialized jobs, like in sensitive machinery or building structures.
In addition to the performance characteristics polyethylene can possess, the material is also available in multiple shapes and sizes. Most commonly seen in sheet or plank form, polyethylene has a rigidity that holds its shape when cut into thick sections. These are most often used as insulating materials or in casing and custom packaging, because, while strong and shock absorbing, polyethylene can also be easily cut to create form-fit inserts for securely moving or transporting items. Closed-cell foam insulation is excellent at resisting moisture and polyethylene in particular is often used as thermal insulation materials. Polyethylene sheeting is also easily laminated together to create thicker sections that can then be cut for furniture inserts, personal flotation device inserts, or specialized packaging. Also, backer rod polyethylene tube is made in an assortment of diameters for varied use.