Do-It-Yourself Swimming Pool

Written by: Foam Factory, Inc.

Global consumption of polyurethane is overwhelmingly related to foam products. Polyurethane is flexible, but can also be made rigid as well. This flexibility allows a wide range of foam products, which also helps to drive down the costs of manufacturing in some sectors. Foam lining provides insulation in refrigerators, or as part of thermal insulation for construction projects. Foam is even cut and shaped for a variety of applications. Read on for some of the popular uses engineers have found for foam products.

Foam for Bedding

Custom cushions are useful for those who want to refurbish outdoor furniture. The trend is to buy attractive pieces from garage sales that need some work. Typically, new owners will sand and repaint something. Then they cut foam cushions to fit the size. This approach is also good for refinishing boating cushions, or for adding some extra padding to beds and pillows.

Print Industry

The printing industry uses rollers to feed paper through presses. Foam is used to make elastomers, which have a texture not unlike rubber. These rollers help the presses function efficiently and produce several projects in a matter of minutes.

Soundproofing Materials

The density of foam panels makes for excellent soundproofing. Foam with a higher density can absorb bass, and other sound, so it makes for excellent insulation in clubs and sound booths as well. Recording artists require sound deadening foam to reduce the echo in a room for music production, and home theater enthusiasts appreciate the better sound quality foam brings to the room. Acoustic foam panels also help reduce the noise output for neighbors, so enthusiasts enjoy louder sound without disrupting the neighborhood.

Foam is also hardened, like plastic, and used as bezels for electronic instruments.

Straps and Bands

Foam itself is not used, rather a compound similar to elastomers is produced. It comes out like a rubber band, flexible and stretchable.  It’s also highly resilient and able to stretch and bend to immense pressure.

Other Uses

Flexible polyurethane foam is useful in sculptures as well. Modern day plaster pieces that are mass produced often have a foam structure below the plaster. The seats of cars often have a flexible piece of foam just below the cloth or leather covering, and polyurethane chemicals are often used to help shape car seats. The biggest advantage to using polyurethane, besides its cheap cost, is the ability to do so much with so little. This product is one of the most versatile materials used in modern manufacturing.