Polyethylene (PE) Foam
Materials
Polyethylene (PE) Foam
Polyethylene (PE) foam is a durable, lightweight, and versatile material. From packaging to floatation devices, PE foam is commonly used in various applications across multiple industries. It’s a popular plastic-like foam material that also comes in other manufactured varieties, including expanded polyethylene (EPE), beaded polyethylene, and cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE).
What is Polyethylene Foam?
Polyethylene is one of the most produced thermoplastics in the world. It’s a member of the polyolefin resins family used in polyethylene production. Polyethylene foam is produced through a process called extrusion. The polyethylene resin is melted and mixed with a blowing agent, which generates gas bubbles within the resin, creating a foamed structure as it cools and solidifies. This results in a closed cell material that is flexible, resilient, water resistant, and buoyant.
During the manufacturing process, several additives can be applied to change the chemical composition of the polymer and create different types of foams with properties that range from anti-static to fire retardancy.
The Strengths of Polyethylene Foam:
- Range of Densities: from low to high, affecting firmness and cushioning.
- Resilience: it has a high impact resistance and ability to return to original shape after compression. It also has good tear resistance, shock absorption and strength to weight ratio.
- Thermal Insulation: it’s effective in reducing heat transfer.
- Chemical Resistance: it’s resistance to many chemicals, oils, and solvents.
- Moisture Resistance: PE foam resists hydrolysis, meaning it won’t break down in water. It also resists mold and mildew.
- Buoyancy: the material floats easily.
- Non-abrasive: Most formulations of PE foam are not considered to provide Class A surface protection. For many surfaces – PE foam should be relatively non-marring.
The Drawbacks of Polyethylene Foam
- Low Soundproofing: it does not insulate against noise
- UV Resistance: the foam does not last long in areas of high sunlight
- Flexibility: the material loses flexibility if it is manufactured at high thicknesses
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The Applications of Polyethylene Foam
- Packaging: protective packaging for electronics, appliances, and delicate items.
- Construction: insulation boards, expansion joint fillers, and sealants.
- Automotive: interior padding, gaskets, and sound dampening materials.
- Medical: orthopedic supports, prosthetics, and padding.
- Sports and Leisure: pool noodles, flotation devices, and protective gear.
- Consumer Products: Protective padding and safety devices.
- Electronics: foam inserts for shock absorption and protection.
- Marine: buoyancy aids and flotation components.
Amcon Fabricates Custom Polyethylene Foam
At Amcon Foam, we fabricate polyethylene foam into custom shapes and sizes for protective packaging and any other application in any industry. From die cutting to lamination and thermoforming, we create custom foam parts for:
- Shippers to Use as Protective Packaging
- Custom Case Inserts
- Custom Foam Parts for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
Learn More About Our Custom Foam Fabrication Capabilities
Technical Documents for Polyurethane Foam
Packaging Foam Material Specs
| Code | Style | SDS | Technical | Cushioning Curves | States | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2450GY | 1.0# 30 IFD |  | | | MN and CO | Ether PU |
| 3500 | 1.25# 36 IFD | | | | MN and CO | Ether PU |
| 3850-GY | 1.5# 60 IFD | | | | Minnesota | Ether PU |
| 4300 | 1.25# 35 IFD A/S | | | | MN and CO | Ether PU |
| 4500 | 1.9# 42 IFD A/S | | | | Minnesota | Ether PU |
| 7650-GY | 1.5# 70 IFD | | | | Minnesota | Ether PU |
| 7700-GY | 1.8# 70 IFD | | | MN and CO | Ether PU | |
| 8800ASE | 1.8# 90 IFD A/S | | | | MN and CO | Ether PU |
| 8800GY | 1.8# 90 IFD | | | | MN and CO | Ether PU |
| 9900 | 2.5# 140 IFD | | | Minnesota | Ether PU | |
| CF BLACK | 1.45# 50 IFD | | | Minnesota | Ether PU | |
| CF BLUE | 1.5# 50 IFD | | | MN and CO | Ether PU | |
| MIL C | 1.55# 48 IFD MIL-P-26514G | | | MN and CO | Ether PU | |
| LD30SD | 1.87# XLPE | | | MN and CO | ESD Foam | |
| LD32CN | 2.0# XLPE | | | MN and CO | ESD Foam | |
| ESD FOAM | 1.8# 50 IFD | | | MN and CO | ESD Foam | |
| 7200 | 2.1# MVSS302 | | | MN and CO | Ester PU | |
| AB170 | 1.7# Black Lam | | | | Colorado | Polyethylene |
| AB200 | 2.2# Black Ext | | | | MN and CO | Polyethylene |
| AB200LA | 2.2# Black Ext Low Abrasion | | | Minnesota | Polyethylene | |
| AB400 | 4.6# Black Ext | | | | MN and CO | Polyethylene |
| ABL160 | 4.6# Black Ext | | | | Colorado | Polyethylene |
| ABL180 | 1.8# Blue Ext | | | Minnesota | Polyethylene | |
| AS200 | 2.2# Pink Ext A/S | | | | MN and CO | Polyethylene |
| AS400 | 4.6# Pink Ext A/S | | | | Minnesota | Polyethylene |
| ASL170 | 1.7# Pink Lam A/S | | | | MN and CO | Polyethylene |
| AW120 | 1.35# Natural Ext | | | Minnesota | Polyethylene | |
| AW150 | 1.5# White Lam | | | Minnesota | Polyethylene | |
| AW180 | 1.9# Natural Ext | | | Minnesota | Polyethylene | |
| AW200 | 2.2# White Ext | | | | MN and CO | Polyethylene |
| AW200LA | 2.2# White Ext Low Abrasion | | | Minnesota | Polyethylene | |
| AW400 | 4.0# White Ext | | | | MN and CO | Polyethylene |
| AW600 | 6.0# White Ext | | | MN and CO | Polyethylene | |
| AW900 | 9.3# White Ext | | | MN and CO | Polyethylene | |
| AWL170 | 1.7# White Lam | | | | MN and CO | Polyethylene |
| AWL200 | 2.2# White Lam | | | | MN and CO | Polyethylene |
| FRAS2 | 2.2# Green Ext A/S FR | | | Minnesota | Polyethylene | |
| RCB170 | 1.8# Black | | | Minnesota | Polyethylene | |
| RBE170 | 1.65# Black | | | MN and CO | Polyethylene | |
| LD24 | 1.49# Cross-linked PE | | | Minnesota | XLPE | |
| XL2000 | 2.0# Cross-linked PE | | | MN and CO | XLPE | |
| XL2000/EVA | 2.0# Cross-linked PE w/EVA | | | MN and CO | XLPE | |
| XL4000 | 4.0# Cross-linked PE | | | MN and CO | XLPE | |
| I-Cell | 2.0# | | | MN and CO | XLPE | |
| VA35 | 2.10# | | | MN and CO | XLPE | |
| EPE13WH | 1.3# White Beaded PE | | | MN and CO | EPE | |
| EPE13BK | 1.3# Black Beaded PE | | | MN and CO | EPE | |
| EPE15WH | 1.5# White Beaded PE | | | | MN and CO | EPE |
| EPE15BK | 1.5# Black Beaded PE | | | | MN and CO | EPE |
| EPE19WH | 1.9# White Beaded PE | | | MN and CO | EPE | |
| EPE19BK | 1.9# Black Beaded PE | | | MN and CO | EPE | |
| EPE23WH | 2.3# White Beaded PE | | | Minnesota | EPE | |
| EPE23BK | 2.3# Black Beaded PE | | | Minnesota | EPE | |
| EPE28WH | 2.8# White Beaded PE | | | Minnesota | EPE | |
| EPE28BK | 2.8# Black Beaded PE | | | Minnesota | EPE | |
| EPP13WH | 1.3# White Beaded PP | | | | MN and CO | EPP |
| EPP13BK | 1.3# Black Beaded PP | | | | MN and CO | EPP |
| EPP19WH | 1.9# White Beaded PP | | | MN and CO | EPP | |
| EPP19BK | 1.9# Black Beaded PP | | | MN and CO | EPP | |
| EPP28WH | 2.8# White Beaded PP | | | Minnesota | EPP | |
| EPP28BK | 2.8# Black Beaded PP | | | Minnesota | EPP | |
| N4194 | 6# SCE 41 Blended Neoprene | | | MN and CO | Neoprene | |
| N4294 | 6# SCE 42 Blended Neoprene | | | MN and CO | Neoprene | |
| N4394 | 9# SCE 43 Blended Neoprene | | | MN and CO | Neoprene |
“We’ve been sourcing Amcon foam products to use in thousands of our client facilities for more than two decades. Their product quality and customer service are second to none.”
KYLE F.
President, Company Confidential