Polyethylene foams
Closed cell foam, EVA foam, Moulded foam,
Polyethylene (PE) foam is ideal for applications where a closed cell foam with dampening, shock and impact absorbing, thermal insulation and high strength and durability are required in demanding conditions.
These include a plethora of situations where a high level of protection and strength in a lightweight form is vital, such as in body armour, footwear, buoyancy aids, and protective packaging.
A wide range of Polyethylene foams
With each different scenario demanding varied performance properties, at Technical Foam Services we manufacture products from a wide range of branded PE foams including Evazote, Plastazote, EVA foam, Alveolit, Jiffycell and Stratocell, all of which offer particular properties.
As experts in the development and product of polyethylene foam goods across a vast range of sectors Technical Foam Services always supply the optimum PE foam product for each specific situation.
Furthermore, we not only supply polyethylene foams in traditional die-cut and peeled rolls, we are able to rout, emboss, mould and thermo-form PE, to produce a truly outstanding range of products. Just some examples of these are outlined below
Construction industry
With its heat resistance and shock absorbing properties, there are many applications for polyethylene foam products in the construction and building sector, a major one of which is the HVAC field. As a result of their closed cell structure, PE foams are resistant to dirt and moisture, while their heat absorbing properties offer many benefits for such applications.
In response to growing demand in this sector, at Technical Foam Services we supply polyethylene foams with a foil facing and high temperature self-adhesive backing, specifically developed for the HVAC sector.
Transportation
PE foams have been widely adopted for transportation applications as a result of their shock absorbing, dampening, and insulation and heat resistance properties. Furthermore, particularly in the marine industry, as a result of their inherent buoyancy properties, polyethylene foams are now also widely used in life vests and other buoyancy products.
Medical and healthcare
High tear resistance, durability and flexibility make polyethylene foam the ideal solution across the healthcare and medical sector, including beds, bedding and medical supports and mats.
Sports and leisure
Because PE foams can be moulded at high temperatures, the applications for polyethylene foams within the sports and leisure industry are truly vast. From sports and yoga mats through footwear and protective clothing for contact sports to floatation equipment and buoyancy aids.
One example of such an application we have developed and produced is the Swimfin (www.swimfin.co.uk).
Military and emergency services
Once again, due to its ability to be moulded at high temperatures, polyethylene foam is the ideal material for producing vital protective gear for the military and emergency services such as body armour and footwear.
As a lightweight yet robust material PE foams offer a high degree of protection for packaging designed for fragile or easily damaged goods.
If you are looking to develop a product from closed cell polyethylene foam, please contact us to discuss your needs. With your ideas and our expertise, virtually anything is impossible!
Our products are available as open and closed cell foams, with Polyethylene, or PE foams in the latter category. Strong and resilient, these rigid foams are used for a range of applications including shock absorbency, dampening of vibrations, thermal insulation, loose fill and packaging. In the latter format they are known under a range of trade names, including Jiffycell and Plastazote.
PE foams have other, more specialised uses, too. Its excellent buoyancy, mildew-resistant capabilities and low cost durability make it ideal for flotation equipment and swimming aids. At Technical Foam Services, we supply PE closed cell foams to customers as diverse as pump manufacturers and sports equipment suppliers, making us conveniently disposable to a multitude of businesses.
The low-down on Plastazote
Plastazote is one of the rigid foams in our Zotefoams' Azote range. It is manufactured using a Nitrogen expansion process (Azote is an old French name for Nitrogen). Because of the chemical properties of Nitrogen, Plastazote is an excellent inert, non-reactive foam which repels growth of moulds and bacteria. Its inert qualities have led to it being widely used in healthcare products.
Like Jiffycell, Plastazote is available in a range of rigidities. Rigid foams are created by the cross-linking of polymer molecules, and varying the cross-linking affects the final structure. Plastazote is available in a range of polymer formats which can improve its stiffness, temperature resistance and mouldability.
Jiffycell closed cell foams
Jiffycell is one of the newer rigid foams on the market. It's a popular product for packaging due to its low cost, resilience and lightweight resistance to tearing. Jiffycell is often used by auction houses as it leaves no greasy residue and is non-abrasive. Its high-cling, low slip qualities make it ideal for fine china.
The closed cell foams sold by some manufacturers are only suitable for general packaging, owing to the residues they leave behind and their reactivity. By using only top-quality closed cell foams like Jiffycell and Evazote, which are guaranteed inert, our customers can be sure their packaging won't interfere with their goods, equipment - or their hands. This is especially important in the high-profile clinical and research areas we supply.
Specialist uses for PE foams
Because they can be formatted in so many different ways, closed cell foams can be embossed, routed, thermoformed and moulded, as well as die-cut and sold in roll format. Uses our PE foams have been put to a variety of uses, including sports, the healthcare industry and packaging for sensitive electrical components. Light and robust, they are ideal for shipping delicate and valuable items to destinations abroad.
A major market for rigid foams is the field of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) technology. PE foams are resistant to moisture and dirt due to their closed cell construction, and also have excellent heat absorption. We supply rigid foams specifically for HVAC and similar areas. These have a temperature-resistant adhesive backing and a foil facing. Other specialist uses for PE foams include props for film and theatre, military packaging and sports protection.
If you would like advice on Plastazote, Jiffycell - or any of our other polyethylene foams, we'll be happy to help you.