FOAM-EXPANDING INTO ALL MARKETS

APPLICATIONS OF URETHANE-FOAM IN CONSTRUCTION AND INSULATION ARE BRIEFLY REVIEWED. THE MONOLITHIC SEAL PROVIDED BY SPRAY-ON URETHANE FOAM PREVENTS DRAFTS AND THE NORMAL AIR SEEPAGE THROUGH INSULATION THAT ADDS AN IMPORTANT SUPPLEMENTARY THERMAL RESISTANCE. DISPOSABLE URETHANE-FOAM GEO-HUTS THAT CAN BE ERECTED IN MINUTES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND ARE BEING TESTED BY THE NAVY. AN IONOMER RESIN MADE BY DUPONT IS USED AS A PROTECTIVE SLEEVE FOR IN- PLANT HANDLING AND STORAGE OF FUEL, OIL AND AIRLINES OF JET ENGINES IN PRATT AND WHITNEY FACILITIES. THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY USES CELLULAR PLASTICS FOR SEAT CUSHIONING, CRASH PADS, HEAD RESTRAINTS, AND SPACERS. AN AVERAGE OF TWO POUNDS OF POLYETHYLENE FOAM IS USED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HUNDRED DIFFERENT PARTS IN ANY ONE CAR. A DETAILED BREAKDOWN IS PRESENTED OF URETHANE FOAM USAGE WHICH TOTALS 12.25 POUNDS IN A PLYMOUTH FURY. CONSUMER PACKAGING, BOAT CONSTRUCTION, AND CHAIR MANUFACTURER ALL USE PLASTIC FOAM. SYNTACTIC FOAMS ARE USED FOR VOID FILLING AND FLOTATION IN SUBMARINES AND OTHER DEEP-SUBMERGENCE VEHICLES FOR BUOYS, AND SIMILAR FLOTATION DEVICES. IT HAS BECOME RECOGNIZED THAT CELLULAR PLASTICS ARE MORE THAN JUST GOOD THERMAL INSULATORS; THEY HAVE INHERENT STRUCTURAL VALUES THAT CAN MEAN SAVINGS IN OTHER MATERIALS.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Vol 26, No 7, PP 38-43, 1 TAB, 7 PHOT
• Authors:
  • Alexander, P D
• Publication Date: 1968-7

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Plastics World
  • Publisher: Cahners Publishing Company

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile industry; Automobiles; Construction; Consumers; Cushioning materials; Electric insulating materials; Ethylene resins; Fuel storage; Heat insulating materials; Insulating materials; Packaging; Plastic foams; Protective coatings; Shelters; Spacing; Urethane; Waste disposal
• Uncontrolled Terms: Disposal; Polyethylene
• Old TRIS Terms: Cushioning; Spacers
• Subject Areas: Construction; Freight Transportation; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00215185
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 7 1994 12:00AM