PE foams

Due to their closed cell structure, PE foams are mainly used for damping, dams and densities as well as in the packaging sector.

PE foams are closed cell materials with excellent properties such as low density, excellent aging and weathering resistance, good sound insulation and thermal insulation and very good resistance to commercial acids, alkalis and other chemicals.

PE foams are mainly used in packaging and transport protection as well as in industry and technology for sealing, sound and thermal insulation. In automotive engineering, they can be found, for example, in interior doors, in the engine and in the roof lining.

In the production of PE foams, molten polyethylene in the extruder is mixed with propellant gas (for example pentane or CO.sub.2) under high pressure. A distinction is made between crosslinked and uncrosslinked PE foams.

In cross-linked PE foams, the polymer chains are chemically or physically interconnected at certain points and form a three-dimensional network. Crosslinked PE foams have a fine, regular and closed cell structure. This means that no gases or liquids can flow into and out of the cells. For this reason, PE foams are only limited elastic and hydrophobic, so water repellent. In addition, they are characterized by a low thermal conductivity and good insulating properties.

In uncrosslinked PE foams, the polymer chains are not interconnected. As a result, uncrosslinked foams have a limited melting point at which the polymer chains separate from each other. At this temperature, the plasticization occurs. All uncrosslinked PE foams are granular and recyclable.

The macro shots on this page are intended to give you an idea of ​​the characteristics of the different foams. In order to clarify the different cell sizes and structures, the same image section was always selected. Of course, in addition to the types shown, many more are available.