FEATURES OF POLYETHYLENE FOAM THAT MAKE IT SUITABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Polyethylene foam is known for its numerous applications in various industries such as the transport and packaging industries. It acts as a shock absorber due to its soft squishy feel. It can also be used to provide cushioning during transportation of brittle goods. Most industries rely heavily on polyethylene to ensure that their goods are able to reach the target customers in a good condition without breaking. Masonry supplies are also cushioned using foam and the list of uses extends to thousands of other applications. There are various features of polyethylene that make it suitable for the mentioned applications. Some of them are discussed below.  

The structure of polyethylene foam comprises of millions of tiny closed cells that resemble bubbles. This structure makes the material resistant to water, moisture, and other corrosive medium that are water based. It is also able to resist oil based fluids hence can be used to cushion goods against such agents. Research also shows that polyethylene is antimicrobial. This means that it does not allow for the growth of mold, algae and other types of bacteria. This property makes it appropriate for transporting goods that are commonly affected by growth of micro-bacteria.

Polyethylene foam also boasts of cushioning properties that arise from the closed cell microstructure. The structure enables them to resist bending or folding due to external forces yet provide a suitable yield allowance that ensures proper shock absorbing properties. The material is also resilient hence retains its original shape after external compression. This feature ensures that the goods are well-covered and protected at all times during transportation. Above all, polyethylene has anti-static properties. This ensures that there is no accumulation of charges especially when transporting electronics that are heavily affected by charges.

The manufacturing process of polyethylene foam ensures a uniform structure throughout the material. Various polymer compounds are heated in different proportions and mixed in their molten form. Additives that are responsible for rigidity and insulation properties are also added during the process. The mixture is then allowed to solidify after thorough mixing hence producing uniform platform of polyethylene. Dyes are also added during the process hence giving the material a uniform color. This process makes it easy to produce custom designs by using different additives to achieve specific properties. The molten material can be poured into pre-designed molds and forced to take their shape. By the end of the process, numerous designs of foam can be produced to suit different client needs. The use of polyethylene in industries can never be undermined.