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The ABCs of foam.

A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z   

A

ASTM: American Society for Testing & Materials; the ASTM develops standards for properties and performance of materials

C

closed-cell foam: closed-cell foam can be thought of as a number of balloons stuck together in a structure; the water absorption is low and the structural integrity is greater than open-cell foam

cold crack: measures a material’s resistance to cracking when bent over a specific mandrel diameter in a cold laboratory environment

compression set: the amount of permanent set a sample has after being compressed a stated amount (%) at a specific temperature for a given amount of time and recovery period

crosslinked: cross orientation of molecular structure imparting superior physical properties

D

density: a material’s weight per unit volume expressed in pounds per cubic foot (PCF)

dielectric constant: a comparison of a material’s insulation capability to that of air

durometer: a meter used for measuring the hardness of cellular materials

E

elastomer: a synthetic rubber which through vulcanization, curing or crosslinking has changed an elastic state

elongation: percent (%) of original length a piece of material can be stretched lengthwise without tearing or remaining permanently distorted

energy absorption: interception of vigorously exerted power

EVA: ethylene vinyl acetate

F

FDA: Food and Drug Administration

flammability: ability to support combustion; conformance indicated to flammability requirements valid above certain minimum thickness only

I

irradiation: the crosslinking process that bonds the molecules of the polyolefin resin into a structure, giving the polymer increased strength and resulting in superior properties

K

K-Factor: a measure of thermal conductivity of heat insulation, expressed as BTUs/sq.ft., 1: thick in 1 hour/degrees F; lower values indicate better insulating materials

L

linear shrinkage: percent (%) of linear shrinkage when the material is exposed to a given high temperature for a set period of time

M

M.S.D.S.: material safety data sheets

MIL STD: military standards that refer to specific physical properties; Mil-Std 670, Mil-R-6130, Mil-I-15280 and Mil-C-3133 refer to cellular products

Minicel: an extremely fine-celled, chemically crosslinked foam; ideal for a wide variety of applications that require a thicker foam; combines a smooth aesthetic feel with superior physical and chemical properties; available in a wide range of types, colors, and densities

N

neoprene: a chloroprene-based rubber polymer with excellent oil and weather resistance

O

open-cell foam: foams with an interconnecting cell structure much like a scaffold; open-cell foams absorb liquids and are generally softer than closed-cell foams

P

PCF: pounds per cubic foot

polyethylene: a thermoplastic composed of polymers of ethylene

polymer: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units

PSA: pressure-sensitive adhesives

PSI: pounds per square inch

PVC: polyvinyl chloride

R

reticulated: a three dimensional network of strands, the membranes removed, providing nearly 100: void space and a high degree of permeability

S

silicone: a rubber made from silicone elastomers and noted for its retention of flexibility, resilience, tensile strength and wide temperature range

T

tensile strength: the maximum pounds per square inch (psi) a material can be stretched lengthwise without tearing

U

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL): an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization; has tested products for public safety for more than a century; annually, more than 16 billion UL marks are applied to products worldwide (UL is not affiliated with Sekisui Voltek and does not endorse this website)

V

Volara: a fine-celled, irradiation crosslinked foam that offers aesthetic appeal as well as an outstanding range of performance characteristics; offers a smooth surface, excellent consistency, gauge control, superior physical and chemical properties, low water absorption and vapor transmission; a versatile, dependable solution for a host of demanding applications

Volextra: extrusion coated Volara; extrusion coating adds a wide range of aesthetic and performance qualities to the superior properties of Volara’s crosslinked, closed-cell polyolefin foam; thickness, color, and texture are tightly controlled to adapt Volextra’s properties to a customer’s specific needs; available with a wide range of surfaces, provides a decorative advantage and allows for the design of composite materials with high-performance characteristics; abrasion, chemical, and moisture resistant; highly durable and ideal for demanding applications

W

water absorption: amount of water absorbed by a polymer during submersion under

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