Characteristics of polyethylene
Polyethylene is an example of closed cell foam with a structure made from millions of tiny bubbles that are sealed from each other. Because it is closed cell foam, it is resistant to water, solvents and petroleum products. When you compress polyethylene foam, it will always return to form that is why it is very versatile for different applications. However, the properties of polyethylene foam can be altered by adding additives to its formula before it is extruded into a solid form. Aside from being a standard type of lightweight foam that is widely used as cushioning material and as Pool noodles, additives allow polyethylene the necessary anti-static and fire retardant properties. Features are consistent throughout the polyethylene sheet although there are varying densities for different purposes.
For example, the anti-static properties of polyethylene are very critical in packaging electronic devices because it can dissipate electro-static charges that can damage the components. The fire redundancy property is very important when polyethylene is used as an insulation material. By fire redundancy, it means resistance to fire and flames at a certain point. It also means the potential to self-extinguish so that fire will not spread. If polyethylene is not treated with additives, it cannot be used for highly specialized jobs.
Various uses of polyethylene foam
Polyethylene foam can easily be used for different projects because it comes in various shapes and sizes. Polyethylene is typically sold in the form of sheets, foam rods and the open ended Pool noodles. Sheets are used for insulations and packaging and foam rods are used for filling joints before the application of caulking in the construction industry. Sheets have a certain rigidity that can hold its shape even when cut into thick sections. It can also be cut into small inserts to prevent the movement of products during transport. Closed cell foam is very important to ensure that there is a barrier against moisture that may be present during shipment.
In instances when the requirement is thicker foam, polyethylene sheets can be laminated together before it is cut into specific sizes. However, there is a process called extrusion so that continuous foam that has the characteristics of moisture resistance and durability can be achieved. In the extrusion process, heat is applied to foam and then pressed into a mold to form different shapes and sections. The shape of the mold determines the form of the solid product. The process allows industries to customize their foam so it is easier and more cost effective for their applications.