Polyethylene Foam Tapes

Polyethylene (PE) foam, is a semi-rigid, closed-cell type of foam that is a chemically crosslinked polyethylene foam. It offers excellent protection and durability, is reusable and 100% recyclable and is the most common plastic polymer. It has a near-infinite amount of applications due to having a high load-bearing capacity. Polyethylene foam is ideally suited for indoor applications requiring shock absorption, insulation, cushioning, vibration and sound dampings such as in the packaging, aerospace, floatation, recreation, construction, and appliance industries.
Polyethylene foam is a strong, resilient closed-cell foam. PE foam is ideally suited to a material or product requiring a shock absorption, insulation, dampening, barrier or as a buoyancy component. It is a material often used for cushioning products in packaging solutions. Polyethylene foam’s excellent buoyancy allows it to be used in flotation equipment and other nautical products.
Polyethylene foam can withstand significant amounts of pressure and will not lose its original foam properties which makes it an ideal foam for solutions where support & durability are necessary.

Aesthetically:

PE foam provides a clean, smooth finished look after custom fabrication and is available in several colors and densities, as well as anti-static, anti-microbial, conductive and electrostatic dissipative. PE foam can also be available in low abrasion and cross-link forms.

Structure of Polyethylene Foam:

The structure of PE foam is neither entirely solid nor empty and is produced via a three-step extrusion process (mixing, expansion & cooling). Polyethylene (PE) foam can be manufactured to produce a large selection of materials depending on the need for comfort, support and/or durability.

It is during the manufacturing process that the flame retardant additives can be introduced into the foam to meet different fire codes, as well as provide anti-microbial, anti-static, conductive or electrostatic dissipative additives.

Advantages of polyethylene foam:

• Thermal conductivity
• Recyclability
• Cushioning
• Flexibility
• Durability
• Odorless
• Lightweight
• Non-dusting
• Non-abrasive
• Cost-effective and labor efficient
• Ease of workability
• High load bearing capacity
• CFC free
• Ozone friendly
• Sound transmission control
• Dimensional stability
• Uniform cell structure
• Tear/puncture-resistant
• Impact/shock/vibration absorption
• Excellent compressive creep properties
• Bacteria/chemical/grease/mold/oil /solvent-resistant
• Health and environmental safety
• Shatterproof
• Easy to fabricate
• Non-dusting
• Excellent buoyancy
• Superb strength, and tear resistance
• High shock absorption
• Flexibility
• Impervious to mildew, mold, rot, and bacteria
• Superior chemical & grease resistance
• 100% recyclable (contains no halogens, sulfates, silicones, cadmium, or lead)

Typical applications and solutions of polyethylene foam:

• Product protection against surface abrasion, edges, and corners.
• Product spacing
• Thermal insulation
• Floor covering underlay
• Thermal and acoustic insulation of roofs and walls
• Thermal insulation for greenhouses, hotbeds, and stables
• Thermal insulation of pipelines
• The Production and fabrication of mats.

Thanks to P Whiting for a nice video on Polyethylene.

Thanks to Nick Burns for his demo on Adhesive Foam vs Glue

Finally, a big thanks goes out to Dunn & Watson for this nice video on Polyethylene Foam Tape