Foam Rubber
Click below for pertinent facts and informational links for the materials that our corner guards are made from.
More information on Foam Rubber
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foam_rubber
Foam rubber (also known as cellular, sponge, or expanded rubber) refers to rubber that has been manufactured with a foaming agent to create an air-filled matrix structure. Commercial foam rubbers are generally made of either polyurethane or natural latex. Latex foam rubber, used in mattresses, is well known for its endurance. Polyurethane is a thermosetting polymer that comes from combination of Methyl di-isocyanate and polyethylene and some other chemical additives.[1]
What is foam rubber used for?
Foam rubber is found in a wide range of applications, from cushioning in automobile seats and furniture to insulation in walls and appliances to soles and heels in footwear. Foams are made by forming gas bubbles in a plastic mixture, with the use of a blowing agent.
How do they make foam rubber?
How Foam Rubber Is Made. Foam rubber uses a blowing agent, typically a gas or a chemical that produces a gas, to create a mass of small bubbles in a liquid mixture. This mixture may contain polyols, polyisocyanates, water, and additives such as flame retardants, fillers, and colorants.
When was foam rubber invented?
In 1937 isocyanate based materials were first used for the formation of foam rubbers, after World War II styrene-butadiene rubber replaced many natural types of foam. Foam rubbers have been used commercially for a wide range of applications since around the 1940s.
Is foam rubber flammable?
A 'foam' is a solid or liquid substance formed with bubbles trapped inside it. ... Polyurethane foam is much more common than latex and is always synthetic. If polyurethane foams are not treated to make them fire-retardant (FR), they represent a considerable fire risk.
Is foam rubber toxic?
Is polyurethane foam exposure safe? No. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that long-term exposure to polyurethane foam may cause Cancer, Infertility & Miscarriages, Autoimmune Issues, Neurological Disorders, Child Behavior Issues, Allergies, and Asthma.
Is foam made of plastic?
Under appropriate conditions almost any thermosetting or thermoplastic resin can be converted into a foam. Plastics that are commonly foamed include vinyls, polystyrene, polyethylene, phenolics, silicones, cellulose acetate, and urethanes.