Ethafoam

Ethafoam: PACCIN

Description

[Sealed Air Corporation, formerly Dow Chemical Company] A registered trademark for a polyethylene foam plank. Ethafoam is a durable, flexible, closed-cell foam that is waterproof and chemical resistant with an excellent memory. It performs consistently through a wide range of temperatures. It is easily cut with knives, hot knives, band saws, powered foam rubber cutters, and table saws. Ethafoam adheres to itself and other polyethylene-based materials with heat-welding, or to most other surfaces with industrial-grade hot glue. The natural color of polyethylene foam is brilliant, sparkling white with a slight translucence in thin areas, but black and blue are also available in a limited range of sizes. Ethafoam is not cross-linked, so it is easily recyclable.

Sheets and planks have a skin on each of the large faces. The skin is an unbroken surface, but has a bubbly texture with approximately 1mm relief, and despite the absence of additives the foam feels waxy to the touch. The edges of the planks expose open cells where they have been broken. Individual cells range between 1-2mm diameter at medium density. Plank edges and other cut surfaces create a rougher texture than that of the closed skin. Both surfaces are generally considered too abrasive for making direct contact with sensitive surfaces, and require the mediation of a smoother material between the Ethafoam and the object, such as Tyvek Softwrap, Volara, or poly-sheeting for a few examples. This mediation can be achieved either by lining the foam or wrapping the object.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Similar to PlyPlank EXT220 and PolyPlant LAM220

Applications

• Shock-absorbing and vibration-dampening for transport

It is more firm than open-cell foams of equivalent pcf densities, such as polyurethanes. In fact, 220 is not soft enough to be highly recommended for cavity packing lightweight objects or, as noted above, full-contact cushioning over broad surfaces. However, it carves well with sharp knives for precise contouring of cushioning pads. 220 is stiff enough to employ as yokes for large rolling tubes or guillotines for moderately sized sculptures. Heavier objects can be secured with pads & wood bracing, and with the further option of greater foam densities. 900 is typically reserved for support underneath objects weighing several hundred lbs or more or in storage and mountmaking applications where it's rigidity makes it work almost like wood.

It will also provide some thermal insulation when applied as lining for a container, and the closed-cell structure makes it waterproof.

Personal Risks

Ethafoam is manufactured with blowing agents that can be released from broken cells into the atmosphere when it is cut or melted. These blowing agents are toxic and technically flammable, but they will not combust by accidentally melting the foam with the tip of a hot glue gun, or by heat-welding to another piece of foam. A well ventilated workspace is recommended when fabricating to mitigate the minor toxicity.

Ethafoam SDS [[1]]

Collection Risks

May be susceptible to snagging on corners.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Resistant to acids, alkalis, bleaches and most solvents. Fiber is smooth. Permeable to air and moisture. Fiber cross section = dogbone. Fire resistant and self-extinguishing. Degrades in ultraviolet light.

Melting Point	370
Density	1.38
Tenactiy	5.3 g/denier (dry)
Elongation	22%
Moisture regain	3.5%

Nomex

Working Properties

Ethafoam-brand polyethylene foam was developed specifically for shock-absorption, vibration suppression, insulation & buoyancy in storing and transporting military, computer, and medical equipment, and other precision instruments. (PACCIN)].

Forms/Sizes

The most common form stocked in the art handling field is Ethafoam 220, with a relatively medium density of 2.2 pounds per cubic foot, in 2" natural tint (white) sheets at 108 x 48", or 108 x 24" planks to store more easily with the higher-density planks. 2" material has a useful balance of dimensionality, stiffness, and ease of cutting. Strips or blocks cut from it can be quickly laminated into much thicker cushions as needed.

After 220, the next most common Ethafoam specs used in art handling are the heavier densities within the same product line. Here is the : Ethafoam 400 = 4.0 pcf. Ethafoam 700 = 7.0 pcf. (Formally 6.0 pcf from Dow, known as Ethafoam 600). Ethafoam 900 = 9.0 pcf. Two lighter densities are available as well; 1.5 pcf and 1.8 pcf. See the chart below for more information.

Sheets and planks are not quite flat on the faces, tapering slightly at the two long edges. The long edges also tend to have concave surfaces and a manufacturer's stamp, so it is recommended to trim strips at least 1" wide off any factory edges and discard. The actual thickness of a single 2" plank can range between 2” – 2.25” approximately. For the purposes of cushioning crates with moderately tight tolerances of fit, Ethafoam is often ordered from regional vendors with the skin skived off one side to produce a flatter face and a more consistent 2” thickness. It can also be skived into 1” thick planks, also with a skin on one side only. Small variations in thickness should still be expected in skived foam.

Other Sizes See the spreadsheet below. Dimensions, densities, colors, and special characteristics overlap independently in availability.

Other Variations Ethafoam AS is an anti-static formulation of polyethylene foam that meets EIA 541 requirements for static decay and surface resistance. Bright pink in color, it shares all of standard Ethafoam's shock absorption and insulation qualities.

Ethafoam M is formulated with less than 10% LEL (low explosive limit) VOC, which meets military and other low residual blowing agent specifications.

Ethafoam Synergy is formulated with smaller cells for a smoother texture; fine and ultra-fine.

This spreadsheet lists all plank-form Ethafoams available from Sealed Air in their manufactured dimensions prior to fabrication by regional vendors, with one exception: Ethafoam FS - with fire-suppressant additives for use in the airline industry - has not been included here. Mil Spec foam formally available from Dow but undetermined from Sealed Air is listed in gray. Common specs in bold.

Name Thickness LxW Density Special Color Ethafoam 150 2" 108x48" 1.5 pcf Standard Extruded Natural Ethafoam 180 2" 108x48" 1.8 pcf Standard Extruded Natural Ethafoam 220 2" 108x48" 2.2 pcf Standard Extruded Natural, Black Ethafoam 220 1", 1.5", 2.25" 108x48" 2.2 pcf Standard Extruded Natural Etahfoam 220 2" 108x32" 2.2 pcf Standard Extruded Natural Ethafoam 220 1", 1.5", 2.25", 2.5" 108x24" 2.2 pcf Standard Extruded Natural Ethafoam 220 2", 2.75", 4" 108x24" 2.2 pcf Standard Extruded Natural, Black Ethafoam 400 1.5", 2", 2.5 108x24" 4.0 pcf Standard Extruded Natural Ethafoam 700 2" 108x24" 7.0 pcf Standard Extruded Natural, Black Ethafoam 900 2" 108x24" 9.0 pcf Standard Extruded Natural Ethafoam Synergy P2 ? ? 2.0 pcf Fine Cells Black Ethafoam Synergy P3 ? ? 2.8 pcf Fine Cells Black Ethafoam Synergy P4 ? ? 4.0 pcf Fine Cells Black Ethafoam 220 AS 2" 108x48" 2.2 pcf Anti-Static Pink Ethafoam 220 AS 2" 96x32" 2.2 pcf Anti-Static Pink Ethafoam M1 2", 4" 108x48" 2.3 pcf Mil Spec Black Ethafoam M1 AS 2" 108x48" 2.3 pcf Mil Spec Anti-Static Pink Ethafoam M3 2", 4" 108x24" 4.0 pcf Mil Spec Black Ethafoam M4 2" 108x24" 6.0 pcf Mil Spec Black Ethafoam M5 2" 108x24" 10.0 pcf Mil Spec Black