Foam is an extraordinarily diverse and versatile material with hundreds of classifications, each with their own set of properties and uses across a large number of industrial applications. Choosing the proper foam for these applications can be the difference between a successful implementation and a failure. The “right” foam choice depends not only on what your business is trying to accomplish with your foam, but where it will be implemented. Is insulation important? Does it need to prevent liquids or gasses from passing through it?  Does it need to filter liquids or gasses?  Will the foam be used for its sound … Continue reading The Best Types of Foam for Industrial Applications

The right cushioning application for your solution is an important part of the manufacturing process. It is important for manufacturers to understand both what is needed to create a better product for their industry and what is available to meet that need. Foam cushioning is used across a wide range of industries, and different types of foam are better suited for different applications.  Healthcare Cushioning Applications Foams for healthcare cushioning applications are usually open cell polyurethane. This material is used because of its:  Density  Compression deflection  Tensile strength  Elongation  Tear strength  Although open cell foams are most commonly used, there are … Continue reading The Different Types of Cushioning Applications for Foam

Shipping healthcare products must be an exact science. Whether you are sending life-saving pharmaceuticals that need to be kept at precise temperature ranges, fragile or static-sensitive medical devices, or bulky equipment, choosing the right foam packaging materials is critical. The right foam packaging can help reduce shipping costs and reduce breakage.   Selecting the proper medical–grade packaging material requires significant knowledge of each foam’s properties, including:  Density  Porosity  Durability  Compressive characteristics  Microbial resistance  Anti-static properties  Each application has it’s own requirements but there are some general foams that are ideal for specific categories of healthcare products.  Packaging Foams for Temperature-Sensitive Products Cold chain shipping requires adherence to specific temperature ranges in order to prevent … Continue reading Ideal Foams for Shipping Medical Devices

Foam is commonly used in many marine applications from engine insulation and sound dampening to deck seating but foam can also be used for flotation applications that have many specific properties that make them the ideal material for the job. When searching for the ideal flotation foam for manufacturing products, it’s best to ensure that it is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard regulation Number 33 CFR 183.114.  Look for the Ideal Floatation Foam Properties Flotation foam is mostly known for its high buoyancy butnot all buoyant foams are created equal. There are many other foam properties to consider. Water Resistant: foams used in marine flotation applications should have a heavy … Continue reading Flotation and Buoyancy Foams

There are many types of foams with each having it own unique properties that make them ideal for one or more applications. Manufacturers must choose the right foam for their products. This selection affects the cost, ease and speed of manufacturing, and overall quality of products.  When it comes to manufacturing seat cushions and other types of commercial and residential seating including mattresses, furniture, restaurant benches, or seating there are several considerations that must be made by manufacturers to maximize the efficacy of their products.  Durability and Resiliency Seating foam’s most valuable properties are its resiliency and durability. Cushions must be … Continue reading Foam Options for Seating Applications

Proper firearm storage and shipping depends on two factors: the type of foam you choose, and the outer case used for storage. They are both important in terms of protection and can be customized to maximize safety and protection in storage and while in transit.   Choosing the best type of foam for gun cases depends on whether the case will be used for storage, shipping, or both. When considerign a foam it is important to consider not only short-term protection for your firearm, but its long-term safety, as well.  Types of Foams Used in Firearm Cases The two types of foams that are commonly used in firearm cases for … Continue reading Foams for Firearms Storage and Shipping

Electronic devices require safe and secure shipping solutions. Depending on the fragility of the item, they can be susceptible to static, vibration, extreme temperatures, and other environmental factors that are common in air, rail, road, and marine transport. To appropriately protect these devices while in transit, foam is generally the packaging material of choice. This is because many types of foam possess the properties necessary to shield electronic devices, parts, and equipment while in transit.  What Makes a Foam Ideal for Shipping Electronic Devices? The best types of foam for shipping electronic devices have three major qualities.   #1: Anti-Static or Conductive Foam The foam … Continue reading The Ideal Foam Packaging for Shipping Electronic Devices

Comfortable and Beautiful Furniture Design Furniture design falls into two basic categories: visual and functional. Foam can affect both. Since the visual aesthetic of furniture design is virtually unlimited, and foams can be fabricated or molded to meet any of a variety of requirements, it is important to include functional considerations when developing the furniture. Functional design should take into account a number of factors, all of which may work with each other, assisting in providing the correct degree of seating comfort. Fabric type, spring type/design/construction, seat/back geometry, basic frame design, physical events during actual sitting/leaning, seating foam type, construction … Continue reading What foam works in furniture design?

A common choice for industrial gaskets is neoprene foam. Neoprene foam, which has the chemical name polychloroprene, offers many advantages when used in foam gasket applications.  What is Neoprene Foam? Neoprene is commonly used in foam gaskets and mechanical seals that fill the space between two or more surfaces and prevent leaks in gas or many types of liquids.  Neoprene foam is a material that is similar to rubber in that it is considered to be an elastomer (a natural or synthetic polymer that has elastic properties). It is a flexible, durable, and soft sponge rubber that is commonly used in many products across the medical, aerospace, and industrial industries. The material is available in both closed-cell and … Continue reading Neoprene foam used in gaskets

Often applications require pieces of foam that are cut, shaped, and/or molded into a specific size or shape. These applications require custom foam fabrication as the most efficient solution. Designing and manufacturing the right piece of foam yields a better quality product and much better performance in an application. Manufacturers look to custom foam fabricators like Rogers for their fabrication expertise and the state-of-the-art technology they use to create custom foam solutions. It is important to understand the terms used in foam fabrication.  Please use this short “glossary” to help you decipher the meaning and uses behind these common foam … Continue reading Options for Custom Foam Fabrication and Shaping

Protective packaging is an important consideration for any online retailer, shipper or business that moves freight. If you move hundreds or thousands of items regularly the impact of even the smallest decrease in protective packaging can result in huge savings over the course of the year. Careful inspection into how you manage your protective packaging is not only important, it is necessary. Right-Sizing Your Protective Packaging Proper sizing of your foam and dunnage as well as the size of the box in use is of the utmost importance.  Packaging that is too small will risk damaging the products and larger packaging … Continue reading How to Cut Costs on Your Protective Packaging

Beaded foam is important for storing or shipping delicate items as it effectively protects items from impact and other environmental conditions during shipment. When used in conjunction with a protective packaging foam that is non abrasive items can be completely protected from surface scratches as well. Expanded polystyrene can often be used as well but beaded foams are an excellent solution in many cases. What are beaded foams? Expanded polystyrene (EP) , expanded polyethylene (EPE), expanded polypropylene (EPP), and beaded polyethylene (BPE) are special beaded foams types that are constructed of small beads that are interconnected. To create beaded foams, … Continue reading What is Beaded Foam?

It is important to understand the best foam to meet your needs. Filter foams have a multitude of industrial applications and are important to maximize performance, longevity and cost. Filtration foams are specifically designed to perform this task well due to their density and strength. Industrial filtration foams Filtration foams have the appropriate durability and permeability to allow liquids or solids (depending on their application) to pass through them while blocking out the unwanted objects or particles. The durability of foams is one of the things that makes foam an excellent solution for filtration applications. Generally, less dense open cell … Continue reading The best foams for filtration applications

Acoustic foam has long been used in both marine and industrial applications to help decrease noise, reduce vibrations and protect workers. Sound abatement foam has been used by boat manufacturers to not only isolate but also attenuate sound and vibrations from marine engines while other sound deadening foams have been used in a variety of industrial environments to reduce noise pollution and also create a safer environment for workers. The science of how sound reduction foam works is outlined below. Do you want sound absorbing or sound blocking? The difference between sound absorbing and sound blocking is most easily depicted in … Continue reading The Best Foams to Reduce Noise

Special ESD foam that protects static-sensitive electronic devices, components, and parts for shipping and storage is a necessary solution for many of today’s devices.  When choosing a foam for these types of items, it’s best to ensure that they meet EIA-541 Packaging Material Standards for ESD Sensitive Items. When it comes to choosing between anti-static and conductive foams, it helps to understand the differences between the two.  What is Anti-Static Foam? Anti-static (ESD) foams help dissipate electro-static charges, which can easily damage sensitive electronic devices and parts. These types of foam have a surface resistance that measures between 109 – 1012 ohms and are made from a … Continue reading Choosing Between Anti-Static and Conductive Foams