subject: Development of foam [print this page] The initial work on the development of polyurethane foam began in Germany in the late 1930s. However, this development was slowed by the Second World War and the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foam for commercial applications did not start until 1954.
As with many inventions and discoveries, this particular type of foam was produced purely by accident when water was introduced into the reaction mix by mistake.
During the 1960s rigid foams were developed that had improved insulation properties and towards the end of that decade, rigid foam with better flame retardant capabilities were being produced. At the beginning of the 1980s another type of flexible foam with microcellular properties was made use of to manufacture gaskets and air filters in the car industry. Since that time, energy prices have been increasing which has resulted in more of these items being produced using microcellular foam.
By the early 1990s, global warming was becoming a serious worry and still is despite the controversy surrounding some findings. The production of certain foams involve the use of chlorine which contributed to the greenhouse gases that are causing ozone depletion. Most first world countries such as the USA, Great Britain and European countries began phasing out the use of agents containing chlorine and substituted carbon dioxide as a blowing agent. Some developing countries are still using the chlorine agents.
There are two main types of polyurethane foams known as polyester and polyether foam. They have a wide range of uses in, for example, furniture, cars, bedding, toys, seals and gaskets, ink rollers and pads and so on. It soon becomes apparent that many different grades of foam are needed depending on your requirements. Here, at Technical Foam Services, we have the expertise and the experience to identify the exact grade of polyurethane foam that will meet your demands.
