Foam Industry Terminology

The foam industry has its own lingo, just like many others. If a consumer is unfamiliar with a key term, it may be challenging for them to make an informed purchase. This page is meant to remove any obstacles and give readers quick access to definitions of the many terms used across this website to describe the foam business.

Soundproofing foam
an acoustic transfer foam with open or closed cells. This foam will absorb sound or change the direction of sound waves, deadening and lowering the intensity of the sound waves.

Airflow
whether or not air can move through a foam with an open-cell structure or cannot through a foam with a closed-cell structure. A cooler surface is provided by larger open-cell or Egg Crate foams that enable air to move.

Antibacterial Foam
a viscoelastic foam product made with organic antimicrobial inhibitors to prevent bacteria development and spread. Memory and latex foam are two examples of these types of foam.

conductive foam
a type of polyurethane foam with anti-static qualities that is produced using a surfactant. It is frequently used to frictionlessly ship electrical components and is typically made in the color pink.

Attenuation
the evaluation of force that is applied and reflected when energy moves through foam. A harder foam than a softer foam would have higher attenuation and a greater energy stopping force.

Back Support
A softer foam that can still collapse under pressure without flattening and is intended to offer support. Other padding materials frequently used for back cushions besides foam include polyester fiber and down feathers.

Bonding
creating lamination between foam layers or joining foam ends and other materials together. Foam is attached to other materials and to other pieces of foam using glue, paint, and spray adhesives.

Breathability
how much air can flow through foam. Foam that has open cells allows air to travel through. Foam with closed cells cannot allow air to enter through it when it is created.

Cross-Linking
Foam’s tensile strength and abrasion resistance are both significantly increased by cross-linking. Up to 120 °C can be reached to reach the thermal threshold. The temperature characteristics of the basic polymer threshold also rise with an increase in crosslinking density.

Closed-Cell
an alternative to open-cell foam. Foam that is closed-cell offers excellent durability and tensile strength. High impact absorption and thermal insulation are intended benefits. Closed-cell foam is chemically resistant to petroleum, will float, and is not water absorbing.

Cloth-backed Adhesive fabric made of foam. Typically, a fabric is laminated to the facing side of foam that is half an inch thick. It is present in auto headliners. In order to create a channel pattern, fabric and cloth are sewn together and attached to the back and top sides of the foam, respectively.

Durability
The capacity of foam to withstand or degrade under typical use circumstances. The weight per cubic foot of foam mixed with the toughness of the foam determine how long something will last.

Elastomer
Stretchable foam with rubber or elastic characteristics. Different foam varieties are used to measure elastomeric foam. Memory foam and latex foam are two popular elastic-type foams.

Elongation
a measurement of how far foam can be stretched before it starts to tear. Stretch is expressed as a quotient of the foam’s original cut size. The amount of pull that can be applied to the foam is determined by taking into account its elongation.

Fatigue
When foam starts to degrade and deform, it sinks and sags mostly where it is used. As a result, foam won’t be able to sustain weight or endure prolonged use without losing the ability to assume its former shape.

Retardant to flames
an application of substances added to foam during the production process with the goal of reducing combustibility and slowing foam ignition. Flame and fire risks are reduced by the self-extinguishing properties of flame retardant foam.

Fiber Cell
a space created by gas pressure during the polyurethane foam manufacturing process. Because of this, open-cell foam is able to keep its durability and rebound. In order to eliminate cell structure for thermal insulation, closed-cell foam is produced.

Foam Cell Number
the quantity of open cells found in a foam square inch. Cell count is necessary for controlled passage of foam in air pressure systems or water filtering systems. The quantity and size of open cells are also crucial factors in the operation and efficiency of machinery.

Compression of foam
the amount that foam would sag if a specific weight were applied to it.

Foam Disintegration
It involves the foam breakdown cycle, as the name suggests. Pockets of gas are trapped between thin solid films to create polyurethane foams. Over the course of the foam’s use, these air bubble pockets bounce back and forth numerous times, breaking down and weakening the foam until it is no longer suitable for seating. The quality and stiffness of the foam type will impact how quickly the foam starts to break down.

Density of Foam
In terms of pounds per cubic foot, density is the weight of the foam. The density affects the foam’s quality. A foam becomes heavier and denser as it gets denser, hence a heavier foam has a higher quality than a lighter foam. Density is frequently misunderstood with how hard foam is.

Resiliency of Foam
the rapid foam expansion reaction. A robust foam will quickly regain its original shape after being compressed and released.

Foam with High Resilience (HR)
The foam industry frequently uses it to categorize foam that has a minimum density of 2.5 pounds per cubic foot. Excellent quality foam that quickly returns to its original form and size thanks to its bouncy feel.f

Hydrophilic
a foam that has been modified for usage in the cosmetic and medical fields due to its pliability and toughness. It is a foam dressing that has increased treatment productivity because of its excellent absorbency and breathability. Additionally, it is oil-resistant.