Foams (table)

Description

A two-phase system consisting of bubbles in either a solid or liquid matrix. Examples of liquid foams include: froth, soap bubbles, shaving cream, whipped cream, meringue, and foamed hair products. Solid foam examples include: bread, Cork, Sponge, Coral, Wood, pumice stone, marshmallows, foam rubber, Styrofoam®, and many other synthetic polymers. Foams can be generated by mechanical (mixing, agitation) or chemical (gas producing reactions) methods.

Foams have been developed using various precursors, such as polymers, metals, ceramics and even plants, in order to produce low-density, lighter weight structures with increased mechanical properties. In general, the properties of a foam correlate to the shape and structure of their pores. The two main groups of structures are closed or open cells.

• Closed-cell foams have a cellular structure with air bubbles trapped within individual pockets that produces rigid, insulating buoyant materials with high compressive strength.
• Open-cell foams have an interconnected cellular structure in which air can flow through continuous channels; these foams are generally flexible and permeable.

FOAMS	Production/ Structure	Characteristics	Common Applications	Commercial examples	Working properties	Risks
Chloroprene	thermoset; closed-cell or open-cell	Soft, flexible, form-fitting sponge rubber, with good thermal and moisture insulation; resistant to sunlight and oxidation; closed-cell is waterproof, open-cell is breathable; both are inert and flame resistant	wetsuits; sports equipment, insulated food holders, mouse pads, vibration mats; gaskets, seals	Neoprene		May cause allergic reactions; attacked by most acids and organic solvents
Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA or PEVA)	thermoplastic, closed-cell	Has wide density range; provides good insulation, chemical and moisture resistance; buoyant, durable; resistant to UV deterioration	packaging; shoes, underlayment, marine and sports products, construction, toys, mats; shock absorber	Evasote, Sponge Aero Rubber	Easy to work with; can be heat formed	Can emit vinegar odor; EVA (#7) can not be easily recycled.
Nylon (polyamide)	thermoplastic, closed-cell	Lightweight, tough, strong, very durable; resistant to high temperatures, weathering and most chemicals; does not absorb gases or water; thermal and acoustical insulator	seals and gaskets, hard body armor padding, transmission seals, energy absorbing panels	Nomex; Zotek-NB50; Polyamide-NB	Can be heat formed and used in direct contact with objects	Very inert
Polyethylene (PEF)	thermoplastic, closed-cell	Strong, resilient; shock-absorbing, good insulator, buoyant; water-resistant; inert to biological attack; can be recycled (#4)	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, Minicel, Cellaire; Sentinel; Supazote	Many variations in thicknesses and texture, stiffer than polyurethane; can be heat-sealed	Highly inert but best not to use in direct contact with objects; may emit methane and ethylene
Polypropylene (EPP)	thermoplastic, closed-cell	Lightweight, flexible, durable, non-dusting structural foam with very good cushioning properties; may have a longer lifetime than PE foams; readily resumes original shape; breathable; chemically inert; may be recycled (#5)	shipping plants; lining boxes, flotation devices	Microfoam; Propafoam; Polypro; Polyzote; Strandfoam	May be used adjacent to objects	Poor resistance to UV and high temperatures; not recommended for outdoor use
Polystyrene (expanded-EPS or extruded-XPS)	thermoset, closed-cell	XPS is extruded polystyrene is lightweight, rigid, dimensionally stable, resistant to moisture and heat; will not rot or mildew (non-biodegradable); XPS does not crush as easily EPS; used as a substitute for cardboard	cups, food containers, egg cartons; craft projects, insulation	Styrene foam; Styrofoam (EPS); Foamular; Fome-cor; Gatorfoam; Gatorplast; Ultraboard; Foamular; Blue Board (XPS)	Stiff enough to hold plywood; can be built into a structure that has wood elements; easy to cut	XPS may crumble releasing puffed beads at cut edges; degraded by sunlight; added flame retardants may release hazardous components; polystyrenes (#6) can be separated and downcycled into new products.
Polyurethane	thermoset; open-cell	Flexible, soft, good compression memory with uniform texture, wide variety of densities; good only for temporary uses (i.e. crates) or outer crates; Crates should be opened when possible to not let volatiles accumulate inside the crate	Cushioning in furniture, packaging; sound insulation; vibration dampening; most desirable properties are its sponginess and ability to be compressed; museum transport (decreasing use); better for cushioning than polyethylenes; widely used for crates, outer crates, carts and A frames	Tempur-pedic; Memory foam; Sorbothane; Corafoam; Coralight	Must be lined with something like Nomex; good for small cavities because it is so pliable it gives the cavity a spongy quality; possible to re-use if not degraded	not inert; deterioration (brittle, crumbly, discolored, acidic) with time that is accelerated by UV and humidity; hygroscopic; highly flammable (added flame retardants may release hazardous components); polyurethane can be separated and downcycled.
Polyvinyl chloride	thermoset, closed-cell	Flexible, durable, high density, resistant to water, and abrasions; used in many laminated foamboards	gaskets; weatherstripping; flooring, outdoor and marine applications; signs and displays, scale models	PVC Foam; Komapor; Komacel; Komatex; Forex; Sintra; Formalux	Easily cut; can be heat formed	Does not fully spring back after compression; produces noxious gases when hot; can not be recycled (#3) and it is hazardous to environment.
Silicone	closed-cell	Low density solid that provides excellent thermal insulation, resilience and flexibility; performs well over wide temperature range; resistant to ozone and UV; springs back fully even after long compressions	cushions, seals, insulation	Spaceloft insulation; Grey Silicone PSG; Bisco BF		Have poor tear strength; silicones can be separated and downcycled; they are not biodegradable
Biobased foams	plant materials (bamboo, straw, sugarcane); kraft pulp, methyl cellulose	Water-soluble; biodegradable, compostable, recyclable; great thermal insulation; high shock absorption; resistant to UV degradation; difficult to make smooth; sometimes filled with clay as a plasticizer	packaging food; packing peanuts	Biofoam; GreenCell foam; Foam-MC	Often laminated or sealed in synthetic plastic but this eliminates its recycling/biodegrading potential	Moisture sensitive; susceptible to biological attack; can shrink, sag and crumble with age
Latex foams	Sap from Hevea Brasiliensis trees	Eco-friendly; hypoallergenic; long term shape retention; poor heat transfer; heavy; high shock absorption; expensive	mattresses, pillows, cushions	Foam rubber		Degrades in UV; crumbles and yellows with age
Metal foam, see Aluminum foam	closed-cell or open-cell	Eco-friendly; nonflammable; long term shape retention; heavier than polymers; very strong but 5-25% weight of solid material; excellent impact absorption	construction; sound insulation; architectural decoration	Duocel	Carbide- or diamond-tipped blades are required for machining
Ceramic foam	generally open-cell	Stiff, lightweight material that is tough and strong compared to a bulk ceramic	thermal and acoustic insulation; pollutant filtration; structures and decoration		Carbide- or diamond-tipped blades are required for machining

Synonyms and Related Terms

foams; expanded plastic; froth, suds

Collection Risks

Foams vary widely in their potential for off-gassing hazardous materials and should be tested prior to use.

Resources and Citations

• Wikipedia: Foam Accessed Dec 2023
• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
• Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990
• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000