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  • Polyurethane Foams
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Materials

Choosing the proper foam material for your packaging or component product can be a very challenging task. Not only do different foams have different cell structures and characteristics, but foams from the same material family can also be made with vastly different density and firmness specifications that will greatly affect their performance. When choosing a material one may need to consider:

Compression set Water absorption Creep Pliability Volume change Combustibility Compressive strength	Dynamic cushioning properties Anti-static characteristics Corrosive characteristics Abrasion Environmental factors Cost Size

United Foam's highly trained staff can help determine the proper material for your application. Some of the more common materials that we utilize are listed below, but we work with suppliers from all around the world to find the perfect solutions for our customers.

Polyethylene Foam

Polyethylene foam is a durable, lightweight, resilient, closed-cell material available in a wide range of densities and colors both in plank and roll stock. It is often used for packaging heavier items and for material handling applications due to its excellent vibration dampening and insulation properties as well as its high resistance to chemicals and moisture.

Crosslinked Polyethylene Foam

Crosslinked Polyethylene Foam is a high density closed cell foam characterized by a compact feel and resistance to water that enables the material to be thermoformed or compression molded. It has many of the same properties as polyethylene foam but also has the ability to protect class "A" surfaces and is consequently used extensively in the packaging of medical products and equipment.

Polyurethane Foams

Polyurethane foam is a very popular foam material used extensively in seating, flooring, and bedding products. For packaging applications, this open-celled foam is typically used to protect lighter weight, delicate objects with high fragility and/or lower drop height maximums. It is also used regularly in medical packaging where abrasion resistance is required. It comes in a range of densities and colors.

Reticulated Polyurethane Foams

Reticulated polyurethane foam is a versatile material typically used to make products that are involved in filtration, absorption, wiping, and padding. It features high tensile, elongation and tear characteristics that make it easy to fabricate. Common applications include cosmetic applicators, speaker grilles, air conditioner filters, and sponges, but its high resistance to chemicals also makes it ideal for a host of industrial filtering and wiping applications.

Specialty Foams

For applications requiring special attributes, United Foam also fabricates all types of specialty foams including anti-static, breathable, conductive, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, neoprene, sponge rubber, and static dissipative.

Other Materials

Extensive fabrication and thermoforming capabilities allow us to combine foam materials with a wide variety of rigid and corrugated plastics while our laminating capabilities give us the ability to adhere foam to many different types of fabrics including ballistic nylon, circular knits, Cordura®, Sapandura®, and pack cloth.