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Where Can I Buy Polyurethane Foam
Common Applications: Our 2LB density marine foam is recommended for void filling in nonstructural applications. This product can be poured underneath decks and inside cavities where a lightweight flotation foam is needed to provide buoyancy. This foam has been tested in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard Regulation # 33 CFR 183.114 . This foam is approximately 95-98% closed cell which resists absorbing water, however continuous water submersion can eventually lead to loss of buoyancy over a period of years. ** We recommend the 2LB FOAM strictly for flotation applications. If looking for a liquid foam for sculpting or casting we recommend using at minimum our 3LB or 4LB density.** More questions? [Try our Foam FAQ.]
where can i buy polyurethane foam
Common Applications: Can be used as a lightweight foam for carving or sculpting as well as some limited casting applications Gives better detail than our 2LB density foam. The 4LB density should be used for better quality castings and improved strength. More questions? [Try our Foam FAQ.]
Common Applications: This 4LB density foam is suited well for most flotation applications that require more support than the 2LB offers. This foam is recommended to be used when supporting gas tanks and some deck areas. Choose this density if you feel that the foam will be required to withstand minor to moderate loads. The 4LB density also works well in floating decoy or taxidermy applications as well as many other sculpting, casting, carving and other filling applications. More questions? [Try our Foam FAQ.]
Common Applications: This 8LB density foam is extremely hard and rigid, like that of a soft wood. Your fingernail can penetrate its skin, however it cannot be dented by hand. Uses include casting, carving, sculpting, sign making as well as areas where an extremely durable and rigid foam is needed for support. More questions? [Try our Foam FAQ.]
Common Applications: This 16LB density foam is essentially as hard as a rock, you would need a hammer in order to make any dents in this product. Can be used for sculpting or the casting of objects that require superior toughness and strength. More questions? [Try our Foam FAQ.]
Tensorgrip C09 is a single-part, moisture-cure urethane foam adhesive designed specifically for bonding insulation such as ISO boards to a variety of substrates, including concrete, plywood and cement boards, bricks, and EPS or XPS (expanded or extruded polystyrene). C09 saves time and labor by allowing an operator to apply the adhesive faster and much easier than traditional methods.
Flexible polyurethane foam (FPF) is a polymer produced from the reaction of polyols and isocyanates, a chemical process pioneered in 1937. FPF is characterized by a cellular structure that allows for some degree of compression and resilience that provides a cushioning effect. Because of this property, it is a preferred material in furniture, bedding, automotive seating, athletic equipment, packaging, footwear, and carpet cushion. It also plays a valuable role in soundproofing and filtration. In all, over 1.5 billion pounds of foam are produced and used every year in the U.S. alone.
Raw materials for foam can also be poured into aluminum molds, where the cured foam assumes the size and shape of the mold. Molding allows the production of foam items in shapes that are difficult to achieve fabricating foam from a slabstock bun. The molding process can consolidate foam components with other parts such as a metal frame. One example of this is the headrest of a car seat. Because of the high upfront costs of producing molds, molding is typically reserved for high production runs. Molded foam is frequently found in auto interiors, business furniture and sports equipment.
Amine catalysts and surfactants can vary the size of cells produced during the reaction of polyols and isocyanates, and thereby vary foam properties. Additives can also include flame retardants for use in aircraft and automobiles and anti-microbials to inhibit mold in outdoor and marine applications.
Polyurethane may also be combined with other materials, such as a nonwoven substrates, netting, fabric and fiber. Bonding techniques include flame bonding, hot film bonding, hot melt adhesion, and powder laminating, where a powder adhesive is used to bond foam to a substrate through a heat process. Headliners (the padded ceiling of an auto interior) typically consist of a nonwoven fabric laminated to a thin foam backing using flame bonding.
The properties of foam can be measured and specified very precisely to allocate the right grade of foam to the right application. Foam performance is discussed on our Foam Performance page, and the test methods used to specify foam are covered under Industry Standards.
Most mattresses on the market are full of chemicals that can pollute your bedroom air and harm your body. This includes polyurethane foam that can emit volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, harmful chemicals that can cause respiratory irritation or other health problems; flame retardant chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption and adverse effects on the immune system; and PVC or vinyl covers that can damage developing reproductive systems.
Look for Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS, certification. To receive GOTS certification, the mattress cannot be made of polyurethane foam or contain a number of hazardous chemicals. Look for the Global Organic Latex Standard, or GOLS certification for organic latex.
Latex is a renewable material made from rubber tree sap, and unlike polyurethane, latex is less likely to emit high levels of VOCs. It is also highly resistant to mold and dust mites, and is more durable than petroleum-based foam. Natural latex mattresses are increasingly easy to find at reasonable prices.
Ask the retailer or manufacturer if its mattresses have these added chemicals. Wool and polylactic acid, or PLA, are good alternatives to chemical flame retardants. Ask the same questions for foam futons, sleeping mats, pillows and mattress toppers, which have been found to contain chlorinated Tris, a flame retardant chemical that is a known neurotoxin and carcinogen.
Latex foam can be a healthier choice compared to polyurethane foam. Natural latex is a renewable material gathered from the sap of a rubber tree. Unlike polyurethane, latex is less likely to emit high levels of VOCs. It is also highly resistant to mold and dust mites, and is more durable than petroleum-based foam. Look for a product that has 100 percent natural latex. Some mattresses are made from synthetic latex, which can emit VOCs. Avoid products with a blend natural and synthetic latex. Be sure to ask how much latex is actually used in the mattress and whether it is from natural sources.
Polyethylene foam can contain fewer contaminants compared to polyurethane foam. It can be made from petroleum-based or bio-based ingredients, so ask the manufacturer about the source of the ingredients and relevant contaminant test results.
If the foam has not cured or hardened, use fingernail polish remover (with acetone); a polyglycol-based skin cleanser or corn oil may be effective. Then wash with soap and plenty of water. If the foam has hardened, there is no solvent that will remove it. It will not harm your skin and will wear off over time. To remove cured foam from skin, use a pumice stone (available at most drug stores) and warm, soapy water. Then apply petroleum jelly.
Shopping for a new mattress can be a confusing process. With hundreds of beds to choose from across dozens of categories, it can start to feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you can narrow down your search easily by focusing on one big question: Do you want a foam or an innerspring mattress?
We'll focus on the differences between foam versus spring mattresses. By learning more about these two categories, you can become better informed when it comes to choosing the right mattress for your needs.
What's the difference between a memory foam vs spring mattress? It all comes down to the materials used and the style of construction. The details of each style are discussed in later sections.
If you're trying to pick between a foam and spring mattress, you'll need to consider factors like sleep position, body weight, budget, and personal sleep preferences. Our quiz below will help you figure out if a foam or spring bed is the right fit for you.
Foam mattresses are all-foam beds that are exceptionally popular for online mattress shoppers. They can be made out of a variety of foam materials, from memory foam to polyfoam, and typically contain several unique layers. Foam beds can be soft or firm, budget or luxury, so there is a huge amount of variety within this category.
Spring mattresses, also called innerspring mattresses, are beds that utilize dozens to hundreds of metal springs to provide an underlying support layer. They also have softer plush material layers to increase comfort. Some find that spring mattresses feel more supportive than foam, at least initially. This is particularly true for heavier people, who may benefit more from the coiled spring support systems than a foam base.
Spring beds will also often have foam layers surrounding the coils, as well as a plush or polyfoam comfort layer on top. The quality, material, and thickness of these layers can greatly influence the comfort and feel of the mattress.
Most people will be happy with a high-quality foam mattress. Foam provides a great middle-ground by offering a supportive and pressure-relieving fit, while also feeling soft and comfortable. Side sleepers, in particular, tend to prefer foam beds, as they often do a better job of conforming to the shape of the body.
Sleepers who are heavy or sleep on their stomachs should opt for either innerspring, hybrid, or very firm foam beds, in order to get enough support. Softer foam models will likely sink too much to feel comfortable for these sleepers. 041b061a72