Difference between revisions of "Minicel"

Latest revision as of 10:17, 11 September 2020

Description

[Volek] A registered trademark for a cross-linked Polyethylene foam manufactured by Sekisui Voltek, LLC. Like polyethylene foams, cross-linked polyethylene foams are durable and chemically stable, but are typically finer celled. ^[1] Minicel is a closed cell foam. It is an extremely fine-celled bun foam that has a smooth, consistent surface. Minicel has a tough and firm, yet elastic feel. ^[2] Minicel has good thermal insulation, strength and shock absorption. It is impervious to mildew, mold, rot, and bacteria, as well as chemical resistance. Standard colors are natural-white and black. Minicel is very buoyant and is commonly used in water recreation devices such as kayaks. ^[3]

Synonyms and Related Terms

Polyethylene foam; crosslinked polyethylene foam; XLPE foam; X-linked PE foam; Volara

Applications

Art handling
Storage
Transport: shock absorption and cushioning

Personal Risks

Sekisui Voltek: SDS

All Minicel products are non-toxic and contain no CFC, HCFC, or hydrocarbon blowing agents. ^[4]

Collection Risks

Stable. Minnesota Historical Society says, “Can be used” (MWG 2020).

Environmental Risks

Physical and Chemical Properties

Form	Solid, in various forms
Odor	Light
Melting Point	PE foam: 90-115°C
Solubility in/miscibility with water	Insoluble

Working Properties

Forms and Sizes

Produced in molded bun form.

Density range: 2, 3, 3.8, 6, 8, 12 and 22 pcf.

Bun sizes:

2, 3, 3.8 pcf: 4 x 48 x 72”

6 pcf: 3 x 48 x 72”

8 pcf: 1.78 x 32 x 67”

12pcf: 1.50 x 28 x 59”

22 pcf: 1.2 x 24 x 49”

Minicel L200 and LF200 Foam sheets ^[5]:

72 x 48” sheets (sold in 2/3, ½, and 1/3 sheets)
¼, 3.8, ½, ¾, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4” thick

Resources and Citations

Kaela Nurmi, contributed information, MWG group, 2020.

[1] PACCIN: Polyethylene Foams

[2] Techincal Data: Minicel Type L

[3] Kayak Outfitting.com: Closed Cell Foam

[4] ASI: Voltek Expands Minicel Polyolefin Foam, Enhances Capabilities (2004)

[5] Foam Factory: Minicel Type 1 Foam

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 [Volek] A registered trademark for a cross-linked [[polyethylene foam|polyethylene foam]] manufactured by Sekisui Voltek, LLC. Like polyethylene foams, cross-linked polyethylene foams are durable and chemically stable, but are typically finer celled. <ref> [http://www.paccin.org/content.php?268-Polyethalene-Foams PACCIN: Polyethylene Foams] </ref>
 Minicel is a closed cell foam. It is an extremely fine-celled bun foam that has a smooth, consistent surface.  Minicel has a tough and firm, yet elastic feel. <ref> [https://www.sekisuivoltek.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Minicel_ProductSheet_Type_L.pdf Techincal Data: Minicel Type L] </ref> Minicel has good thermal insulation, strength and shock absorption. It is impervious to mildew, mold, rot, and bacteria, as well as chemical resistance. Standard colors are natural-white and black.
-Minicel is very buoyant and is commonly used in water recreation devices such as kayaks. <ref> http://kayakoutfitting.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=15 Kayak Outfitting.com: Closed Cell Foam]</ref>
+Minicel is very buoyant and is commonly used in water recreation devices such as kayaks. <ref> [http://kayakoutfitting.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=15 Kayak Outfitting.com: Closed Cell Foam] </ref>
 == Synonyms and Related Terms ==
-Polyethylene foam; Ethafoam [Sealed Air Corporation, formerly Dow Chemical Company]; white foam; PE Foam; SenFLex [Sentinel Products Corp]; Ethylene; Etha
+Polyethylene foam; crosslinked polyethylene foam; XLPE foam; X-linked PE foam; [[Volara|Volara]]
 == Applications ==
-Typically used in art Handling as a shock-absorption and vibration-dampening material (applied in small amounts relative to size of an object):
+* Art handling
-* Cushioning pads
+* Storage
-* Yokes for medium-large rolling tubes or guillotines for moderately sized sculptures
+* Transport: shock absorption and cushioning
-* Thermal insulation (when used as a lining for a container)
 == Personal Risks ==
-Pregis: [https://www.pregis.com/globalassets/safety-data-sheets/osha-ghs-content---pe-foam-products-naturalcolor-30-july-2019.pdf SDS]
+Sekisui Voltek: [https://www.sekisuivoltek.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/MSDS-Minicel-L.pdf SDS]
+All Minicel products are non-toxic and contain no CFC, HCFC, or hydrocarbon blowing agents. <ref> [https://www.adhesivesmag.com/articles/84910-voltek-expands-minicel-polyolefin-foam-enhances-capabilities) ASI: Voltek Expands Minicel Polyolefin Foam, Enhances Capabilities (2004)] </ref>
 == Collection Risks ==
+Stable. Minnesota Historical Society says, “Can be used” (MWG 2020).
-The natural tint (white) PolyPlank is widely considered chemically stable and suitable for use in preventative conservation <ref> [http://www.paccin.org/content.php?267-PolyPlank PACCIN: PolyPlank] </ref>
 == Environmental Risks ==
-PolyPlank should pose no significant hazard to the environment <ref> [https://www.pregis.com/globalassets/safety-data-sheets/osha-ghs-content---pe-foam-products-naturalcolor-30-july-2019.pdf PolyPlank SDS] </ref>
-PolyPlank is not cross-linked, so it can be recyclable.
 == Physical and Chemical Properties ==
-'''Composition according to [https://www.pregis.com/globalassets/safety-data-sheets/osha-ghs-content---pe-foam-products-naturalcolor-30-july-2019.pdf SDS]:'''
 {| class="wikitable"
 |-
-! Chemical Name !! Percent !! Composition !! CAS No.
+! scope="row"| Form
-|-
+| Solid, in various forms
-| Polyethylene resin || ≥ 84 || Ethene/Butene Copolymer
-Tris-nonylphenyl phosphite
-Polyethylene Homopolymer
-Crystalline silica
- || 25087-34-7
--78-4
--88-4
--54-9
-|-
-| Hydrocarbon foaming agents || ≥ 5 || Isobutane
-n-butane
- || 75-28-5
--97-8
 |-
-| Talc || ≥ 4 || Magnesium silicate
+! scope="row"| Odor
+| Light
- || 14807-96-6
 |-
-| Foam processing aid || ≥ 2 || Monodiglycerides
+! scope="row"| Melting Point
+| PE foam: 90-115°C
- || 67701-33-1
 |-
-| Organic and/or inorganic colorants || ≥ 5 || Various
+! scope="row"| Solubility in/miscibility with water
+| Insoluble
- || Various
 |}
 == Working Properties ==
-PolyPlank is easily cut with a variety of tools, can be adhered to itself and other polyethylene-based materials with heat welding or hot glue. The 2” material has a useful balance of dimensionality, stiffness, and ease of cutting. Strips/blocks cut from it can be quickly laminated into much thicker cushions as needed.
-Common Fabrication Tools according to [http://www.paccin.org/content.php?267-PolyPlank PACCIN]:
-* Knife (deli knife, extendable box cutter, specialty foam knife)
-* Foam rubber cutter (electric) - For best results, mount cutter under saw table with an adjustable fence
-* Hot knife
-* Band Saw - For best results, use a scalloped or straight blade
-* Table saw - For best results, clean table saw blade frequently
-* Heat Gun
-* Glue Gun - Suitable with hot-melt or low-melt glue sticks
 == Forms and Sizes ==
-''Information below from [http://www.paccin.org/content.php?267-PolyPlank PACCIN: PolyPlank Polyethylene Foam].''
-The most common in art handling is PolyPlank LAM 220, with a relatively medium density of 2.2 lbs/ft^3 in a 2” natural tint(white) sheets at 108x48” or 108x24” planks.
-'''Other Sizes and Densities'''
-Laminated units are available in the following densities:
-* PolyPlank LAM090 = 0.9 pcf
-* PolyPlank LAM120 = 1.2 pcf
-* PolyPlank LAM170 = 1.7 pcf
-* PolyPlank LAM220 = 2.2 pcf
-They are typically manufactured in 1/2" - 3" thicknesses, and 108 x 48" sheets, but other dimensions can be custom ordered.
-PolyPlank EXT is the same formula as PolyPlank LAM, but extruded in one piece rather than laminated, and at a slightly higher price. It is available in the following densities:
-* PolyPlank EXT170 = 1.7 pcf
-* PolyPlank EXT220 = 2.2 pcf
-* PolyPlank EXT400 = 4.0 pcf
-* PolyPlank EXT600 = 6.0 pcf
+''Produced in molded bun form.''
-* PolyPlank EXT900 = 9.0 pcf
+'''Density range:''' 2, 3, 3.8, 6, 8, 12 and 22 pcf.
-They are typically manufactured in 2 x 108 x 24" planks, but other dimensions may be available for custom order.
+'''Bun sizes:'''
-'''Other Variations'''
+* 2, 3, 3.8 pcf: 4 x 48 x 72”
-PolyPlank LEL is formulated with less than 10% LEL (low explosive limit) VOC, which meets military and other low residual blowing agent specifications.
+* 6 pcf: 3 x 48 x 72”
-PolyPlank Renew is made with 40%-60% pre-consumer recycled material.
+* 8 pcf: 1.78 x 32 x 67”
-PolyPlank SFT is formulated with finer cells for a softer surface texture.
+* 12pcf: 1.50 x 28 x 59”
-PolyPlank Plus is a custom-ordered system of laminating foam with a variety of substrates, including foil, bubble, adhesive and cohesive films, paper, non-wovens, etc
+* 22 pcf: 1.2 x 24 x 49”
-== Additional Information ==
+'''Minicel L200 and LF200 Foam sheets''' <ref>[https://www.thefoamfactory.com/closedcellfoam/minicel-type-l-foam.html Foam Factory: Minicel Type 1 Foam]</ref>:
-Pregis PolyPlank [https://www.pregis.com/globalassets/by-products/foam-for-fabrication/pdf-brochure/polyplank-pe-foam-plank.pdf Website]
+* 72 x 48” sheets (sold in 2/3, ½, and 1/3 sheets)
+*  ¼, 3.8, ½, ¾, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4” thick
 == Resources and Citations ==
@@ Line 134: / Line 70: @@
-[[Category:Materials database]]
+[[Category:Materials database]][[Category:MWG]][[Category: Foams]]