Difference between revisions of "Foams (table)"
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! Working properties | ! Working properties | ||
! Collections risks | ! Collections risks | ||
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! Physical and chemical properties | ! Physical and chemical properties | ||
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| sports gloves, insulated food holders, knee and elbow pads, joint filler | | sports gloves, insulated food holders, knee and elbow pads, joint filler | ||
| [[Neoprene]] | | [[Neoprene]] | ||
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| packaging; shoes, underlayment, marine and sports products, construction, toys, mats | | packaging; shoes, underlayment, marine and sports products, construction, toys, mats | ||
| Evasote, Sponge Aero Rubber | | Evasote, Sponge Aero Rubber | ||
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| Very clean; can be used in direct contact with objects | | Very clean; can be used in direct contact with objects | ||
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| Variations in thicknesses and texture, but generally stiffer than polyurethane | | Variations in thicknesses and texture, but generally stiffer than polyurethane | ||
| Highly inert but best not to use in direct contact with objects. | | Highly inert but best not to use in direct contact with objects. | ||
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| Not as good for thermal insulation as PUR ester | | Not as good for thermal insulation as PUR ester | ||
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| Microfoam; Propafoam; Polypro | | Microfoam; Propafoam; Polypro | ||
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| XpsStyrofoam; Foamular | | XpsStyrofoam; Foamular | ||
| Stiff enough to hold plywood; can be built into a structure that has wood elements | | Stiff enough to hold plywood; can be built into a structure that has wood elements | ||
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| need to line it with something like Nomex; good for small cavities because it is so pliable it gives the cavity a spongy quality; possible to re-use it if its ok quality | | need to line it with something like Nomex; good for small cavities because it is so pliable it gives the cavity a spongy quality; possible to re-use it if its ok quality | ||
| not inert; deteriorates over time; must be lined with something; good for temporary uses (i.e. crates) or outer crates; Crates should be opened when possible to not let volatiles accumulate inside the crate | | not inert; deteriorates over time; must be lined with something; good for temporary uses (i.e. crates) or outer crates; Crates should be opened when possible to not let volatiles accumulate inside the crate | ||
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| thermal insulation (high R value compared to Ethafoam); open cell: hygroscopic because a lot of surface area | | thermal insulation (high R value compared to Ethafoam); open cell: hygroscopic because a lot of surface area | ||
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| gaskets; weatherstripping; flooring, outdoor and marine applications | | gaskets; weatherstripping; flooring, outdoor and marine applications | ||
| PVC Foam | | PVC Foam | ||
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| Spaceloft insulation; Grey Silicone PSG; Bisco BF | | Spaceloft insulation; Grey Silicone PSG; Bisco BF | ||
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| Biodegradable packing peanuts | | Biodegradable packing peanuts | ||
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Revision as of 11:47, 13 February 2023
Description
Lightweight, laminated foam panels. Foamboards are typically made with expanded polymers between one or two outer layers of papers of paper, metal or plastic. Some types of archival foamboards are listed below:
FOAMS/SUPPORTS | Polymer type | Foam type | Characteristics | Common Applications | Commercial examples | Working properties | Collections risks | Physical and chemical properties | |
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Chloroprene | thermoset | closed-cell | soft, flexible, form-fitting sponge rubber, with good thermal and moisture insulation. Resistant to sunlight and oxidation | sports gloves, insulated food holders, knee and elbow pads, joint filler | Neoprene | ||||
Ethylene vinyl acetate | thermoplastic | closed-cell | frequently used foam sheet with a wide density range; provides good insulation, moisture resistance and can be heat formed; buoyant | packaging; shoes, underlayment, marine and sports products, construction, toys, mats | Evasote, Sponge Aero Rubber | ||||
Nylon | thermoplastic | closed-cell | resistant to high temperatures; can be thermoformed; low weight, buoyancy; thermal and acoustical insulator; very durable | seals and gaskets, hard body armor padding, transmission seals, energy absorbing panels | Nomex; Viton; Zotek N | Very clean; can be used in direct contact with objects | |||
Polyethylene | thermoplastic | closed-cell | strong, resilient; shock-absorbing, good insulator, buoyant; water-resistant; can be heat sealed | cushioning, packaging, flotation devices; not as good for cushioning as PUR in crates, but can work around that by using things like springs for shock absorption | Ethafoam, Plastazote, Polyplank, Volara | Variations in thicknesses and texture, but generally stiffer than polyurethane | Highly inert but best not to use in direct contact with objects. | Not as good for thermal insulation as PUR ester | |
Polypropylene | thermoplastic | closed-cell | Durable, non-dusting structural foam with very good cushioning properties; may have a longer lifetime than PE foams | shipping plants; lining boxes, flotation devices | Microfoam; Propafoam; Polypro | ||||
Polystyrene (XPS) | thermoset | closed-cell | XPS is extruded polystyrene. It is rigid, thermal insulation, lightweight, moisture resistant; will not rot or mildew (non-biodegradable). Crumbles and produces puffed beads. XPS does not crush as easily eps | cups, food containers, egg cartons | XpsStyrofoam; Foamular | Stiff enough to hold plywood; can be built into a structure that has wood elements | |||
Polyurethane | thermoset | closed-cell | rigid, thermal insulation, moisture resistant; resistant to sunlight and oxidation | appliance insulation, buoyancy in boats | Walltite spray foam; | ||||
open-cell | flexible, soft, good compression memory with uniform texture, burns easily; | cushioning in furniture, packaging; sound insulation; vibration dampening; most desirable properties are its sponginess and ability ot be compressed; museum transport, perhaps not as widely used anymore; better for cushioning that the polyethylenes; widely used for crates, outer crates; used for carts, A frames | Polyurethane flexible foam wedges; Tempur-pedic | need to line it with something like Nomex; good for small cavities because it is so pliable it gives the cavity a spongy quality; possible to re-use it if its ok quality | not inert; deteriorates over time; must be lined with something; good for temporary uses (i.e. crates) or outer crates; Crates should be opened when possible to not let volatiles accumulate inside the crate | thermal insulation (high R value compared to Ethafoam); open cell: hygroscopic because a lot of surface area | |||
Polyvinyl chloride | thermoset | closed-cell | flexible, durable, high density, resistant to water, oil and chemicals; produces noxious gases when hot | gaskets; weatherstripping; flooring, outdoor and marine applications | PVC Foam | ||||
Silicone | closed-cell | low density solid that provides excellent thermal insulation, resilience and flexibility; performs well at extreme temperatures; resistant to ozone and UV | cushions, seals, insulation | Spaceloft insulation; Grey Silicone PSG; Bisco BF | |||||
Starch | water-soluble; biodegradable; difficult to make smooth | Biodegradable packing peanuts |
Synonyms and Related Terms
cartón pluma (Esp.); plaque de plastique expensé (Fr.); foamboard; foam board; mounting board
Other Commercial Products: Foam Core; Artcare; Fome-Cor®; Gatorfoam®
Collection Risks
Foamboards vary widely in their potential for off-gassing hazardous materials and should be tested prior to use. Boards containing beaded polystyrene may release beads from cut edge.