High Density Foam

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You will be surprised at how many products use polyurethane high density foam. It is used in everything from medical supplies to foam mattresses. One of the most common uses around the house is in chair cushions, insulation, and other types of seating. It is also used in chemical mixes to act as antimicrobial and flame retardants.

A popular use for high density foam is in the rehabilitation department. Foam rollers are often used to help patients balance themselves. They are also used on barbells as padding for your hands.

You will hear that there are two difference types of high density foam, namely open and closed cell. Open cell foam is usually soft and easily molded. Open cell foam is used for packing and shipping delicate items in order to protect them from the abuse during the shipping process. If you were to look microscopically at the foam, you will notice that it is made up of cells that aren’t completely closed like small balloons.

Closed cell foam is the opposite. It comes in many degrees of hardness and has densities much different than the open cells. Because the cells are closed like circular balloons, this type of foam floats extremely well on water. It also acts as a very good insulator because of the air bubbles trapped inside. But to be more technical, it is not air that is trapped in the bubbles and in fact a gas. This gas helps make the insulation properties much more effective.

Depending on the application you intend to use it for, closed high density foam will cost a lot more money. Because it is much denser, you will require a lot more of it. So the next time you are thinking about insulating your home, you will understand why something that seems cheap to make, actually costs a lot of money.

With all that being said, there are situations where you would not want to use these types of foam. The open-cell foam is not good for insulating because water can penetrate inside each cell. This completely gets rid of the insulating property. Of course closed foam is great for insulation but it is quite expensive. Therefore, many people tend to use it for smaller projects like window framing.

If you plan on cutting high density foam yourself, you can’t use regular scissors alone. It will definitely make the task almost impossible. Instead you need to buy an electric knife that heats up. This will allow you to make proper cuts that are free from rough edges. If you aren’t able to cut it yourself, you may need to have a hardware store or foam manufacturer make pieces custom to your project.

In terms of pricing, high density foam rollers for exercise and rehabilitation will cost between $5 and $30. However, closed celled foam will be much more expensive. For example, a sheet of closed cell foam can cost between $20 and $80.

We hope that you now understand about high density foam better and embrace its ability to enhance your life.