Comments on: what is polyurethane foam? http://www.nrfoam.org/polyurethane-foam/what-is-polyurethane-foam/ Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:13:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: jdsheth2004 http://www.nrfoam.org/polyurethane-foam/what-is-polyurethane-foam/#comment-1460 jdsheth2004 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:03:59 +0000 http://www.nrfoam.org/polyurethane-foam/what-is-polyurethane-foam#comment-1460 In the last 40 years Flexible Polyurethane Foam (FPF) has become the cushioning material of choice for furniture manufacturers and has been used in various formulations, in almost every type of upholstered furniture. FPF has become such a widely used product on its own merits. It is supportive, contoured, durable, and comfortable. FPF found its way into the furniture market by displacing latex foam rubber, which had been the industries premium material for more than 10 years. It just simply offered more performance at a more reasonable price. Bob Bush SR., vice president sales, Hickory Springs Mfg. Co. says "It was a real battle to get the furniture people to switch from latex to polyurethane foam, and let's be blunt about it: price is all that made it happen." Bush continues to add " If things kept going on like they were going in 1957 and 1958, the average sofa today would retail for $2,000 to $3,000. A Latex cushion- even a cheap one- was $7 to $8. Urethanes jumped into the market at $2." The major breakthrough that allowed flexible polyurethane foam to become a true alternative to latex was the advent of the so-called "one-shot" process. In this process, two chemicals, a polyol and a diisocyanite, were mixed vigorously in water with a new silicone surfactant. The chemical mix was pumped onto a moving conveyer, where it reacted and expanded. Sides on the conveyer allowed the foam to rise, much like bread, into a "bun" or "slab." This continuous slab was then cut, stored, and allowed to cool, or "cure." When fully cured, the foam could be fabricated into whatever shape or pattern the furniture maker wanted. Everyone was switching to this new method as fast as they could. Another production process used over the years is called foam molding. In this process, pouring foam chemicals into specially shaped molds and allowing the liquid chemicals to solidify into foam in the molds produces individual items. This process is used primarily for automotive cushioning, although some office/contract furniture also uses molded cushions. There are specific guidelines when selecting a foam. The five most common mistakes are: Equating firmness with density. Failing to estimate for the effect of over-stuffing. Not realizing that cover materials affect firmness. Believing that the least expensive FPF is the best value. Not discussing needs and expectations with FPF suppliers. One who is in the business and doesn't adhere to these rules may find themselves in a bind. On the other hand what one should be looking for according to the Foam Source is : Density Compression Sag Factor Fatigue loss Hysteresis Tensile Elongation Tear Density levels started out around 2.0 Ibs/cu. ft. As the industry became more competitive, the density levels were lowered. Now the most popular foam has a density of 1.2 Ibs/cu. ft. There has been a recent trend to increase densities however and some producers are making foams with up to 3.5 Ibs./cu. ft. In most cases, except for high quality, high price items, it is best to stick to a minimum of 1.4 Ibs./cu. ft. density.<br><b>References : </b><br>http://members.aol.com/profchm/ewing.html In the last 40 years Flexible Polyurethane Foam (FPF) has become the cushioning material of choice for furniture manufacturers and has been used in various formulations, in almost every type of upholstered furniture. FPF has become such a widely used product on its own merits. It is supportive, contoured, durable, and comfortable. FPF found its way into the furniture market by displacing latex foam rubber, which had been the industries premium material for more than 10 years. It just simply offered more performance at a more reasonable price. Bob Bush SR., vice president sales, Hickory Springs Mfg. Co. says "It was a real battle to get the furniture people to switch from latex to polyurethane foam, and let’s be blunt about it: price is all that made it happen." Bush continues to add " If things kept going on like they were going in 1957 and 1958, the average sofa today would retail for $2,000 to $3,000. A Latex cushion- even a cheap one- was $7 to $8. Urethanes jumped into the market at $2." The major breakthrough that allowed flexible polyurethane foam to become a true alternative to latex was the advent of the so-called "one-shot" process. In this process, two chemicals, a polyol and a diisocyanite, were mixed vigorously in water with a new silicone surfactant. The chemical mix was pumped onto a moving conveyer, where it reacted and expanded. Sides on the conveyer allowed the foam to rise, much like bread, into a "bun" or "slab." This continuous slab was then cut, stored, and allowed to cool, or "cure." When fully cured, the foam could be fabricated into whatever shape or pattern the furniture maker wanted. Everyone was switching to this new method as fast as they could. Another production process used over the years is called foam molding. In this process, pouring foam chemicals into specially shaped molds and allowing the liquid chemicals to solidify into foam in the molds produces individual items. This process is used primarily for automotive cushioning, although some office/contract furniture also uses molded cushions.

There are specific guidelines when selecting a foam. The five most common mistakes are:

Equating firmness with density.
Failing to estimate for the effect of over-stuffing.
Not realizing that cover materials affect firmness.
Believing that the least expensive FPF is the best value.
Not discussing needs and expectations with FPF suppliers.

One who is in the business and doesn’t adhere to these rules may find themselves in a bind. On the other hand what one should be looking for according to the Foam Source is :

Density
Compression
Sag Factor
Fatigue loss
Hysteresis
Tensile
Elongation
Tear

Density levels started out around 2.0 Ibs/cu. ft. As the industry became more competitive, the density levels were lowered. Now the most popular foam has a density of 1.2 Ibs/cu. ft. There has been a recent trend to increase densities however and some producers are making foams with up to 3.5 Ibs./cu. ft. In most cases, except for high quality, high price items, it is best to stick to a minimum of 1.4 Ibs./cu. ft. density.
References :
http://members.aol.com/profchm/ewing.html

]]> By: VeronicaB http://www.nrfoam.org/polyurethane-foam/what-is-polyurethane-foam/#comment-1459 VeronicaB Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:15:59 +0000 http://www.nrfoam.org/polyurethane-foam/what-is-polyurethane-foam#comment-1459 polyurethane is any polymer consisting of a chain of organic units joined by urethane links. It is widely used in flexible and rigid foams, durable elastomers and high performance adhesives and sealants, fibers, seals, gaskets, condoms, carpet underlay, and hard plastic parts. Polyurethane products are often called "urethanes". They should not be confused with the specific substance urethane, also known as ethyl carbamate. Polyurethanes are not produced from ethyl carbamate, nor do they contain it. This foam is used in: Varnish, Computer mousepads, Glue, Wheels (solid tires), Furniture castings, and so on<br><b>References : </b><br> polyurethane is any polymer consisting of a chain of organic units joined by urethane links. It is widely used in flexible and rigid foams, durable elastomers and high performance adhesives and sealants, fibers, seals, gaskets, condoms, carpet underlay, and hard plastic parts. Polyurethane products are often called "urethanes". They should not be confused with the specific substance urethane, also known as ethyl carbamate. Polyurethanes are not produced from ethyl carbamate, nor do they contain it.

This foam is used in:
Varnish, Computer mousepads, Glue, Wheels (solid tires), Furniture castings, and so on
References :

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