Foams and Sponges

Complimenting our range of solid rubber and plastics, we also supply many different foam (expanded) and sponge materials. These materials are used in many varied applications and most grades have their own particular uses.

Rubber foams are generally expanded (or ‘closed cell’) materials. This means that the cell structure is not interlinking and that the material will not absorb fluids or gases. Rubbers such as Neoprene, Natural Rubber or EPDM are normally produced in thick block and sheets are then skived off to the thickness required. Other elastomers such as Silicone and Viton are generally extruded in sheet format and stocked in rolls.

Plastic based materials are mostly sponges (or ‘open cell’) – these materials will allow fluids and gases to pass through in their uncompressed state and many are therefore used as filter media. Again many grades are produced in block and slit – Urethanes (ester and ether),  Polyethylene and EVA are regularly used while materials such as PVC are manufactured as roll-form. Expanded forms of plastic materials such as PTFE and Polystyrene are also available.