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5.6: Blowing Agents

By Geoffrey Pritchard
From Plastics Additives: A Rapra Market Report, March 2005

5.6 Blowing Agents

5.6.1 Demand for Foamed Plastics

The demand for foamed plastics is driven by the desire for (a) weight reduction, (b) improved thermal insulation and (c) lower part costs. The size of the global plastic foam market was estimated in 2002 as 6.8 M tonnes/year (of which the US share was approximately half), growing at 3% a year, with more rapid growth in insulating foam for the construction industry. Because of the obviously low density of foams, consumption expressed in terms of tonnage fails to convey the high volume of product sold.

Foams are used in furniture (upholstery, mattresses) packaging, refrigeration and insulation panels, storage and shipping tanks, shoe soles and flotation products. Considerable amounts are used in construction to make roofs and cavity wall insulation, and as a low cost substitute for softwood in cladding, window sills and soffits. The US uses foamed plastics in sectional garage doors. Foam core PVC is replacing highly filled solid PVC in sewerage pipes. Textured wallcoverings and cushioned vinyl flooring use a considerable volume of foamed PVC, and the extrusion of foam for packaging has also become important.

The automotive industry uses foam in air conditioning units and seats, and is increasingly attracted to the weight saving and energy absorbing properties of foam in bumpers and interior fascias. Foamed wood filled plastics composites will become popular if quality and homogeneity can be assured.

The manufacture of foam from polyethylene and PVC and, to a much lesser extent, from polycarbonate and...

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Foam Cores
Foam cores and foam core materials are low density, high porosity materials used between structural skins to form a cored laminate with increased stiffness. Industrial foams consist of low density elastomers, plastics, or other materials with internal open or closed porosity.
Foam Bonding Tapes
Foam bonding tapes are specialized tapes designed for adhesive joining of foam materials.
Foam Insulation
Foam insulation or thermal insulating foams are low density elastomers or polymers, which provide a thermal barrier between components and a heat or cold source.
Foam Fabrication Services
Foam fabrication services providers produce products made from foam cores, foam plastic, cushioning foam, closed cell foam, acoustic foam, and polyurethane foam.
Foams and Foam Materials
Foams and foam materials are industrial products made from low density elastomers, plastics, and other materials with various structures and porosities.
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