In the polymer industry, polymer foams have emerged as one of the most versatile industry component that witness’s seamless adoption across multi-industry applications. Backed by an extended feature series, polymer foams have emerged as superlative alternatives to other polymer obtained substances. Polymer foams are best known for their extreme light weight built and superlative flexibility. Additional features such as high impact resistance, thermal and sound insulation as well as neutrality towards environmental stimulants such as corrosion make polymer foams highly desirable. Ubiquity of polymer foams is undeniable, backed by an extended user applications such as automobile, electronics, furniture, and electronic uses. These factors are anticipated to keep growth trajectory stable in the years to come.
Attributes such as low density and high flexibility as porous polymer foams aid in thermal insulation and sound insulation. Additional features such as packaging competence, dust barriers, self-extinguishing features and fireproofing abilities have rendered several widespread applications of polymer foams.
Polymer foam variants such as polyurethane and polypropylene are extensively used in diverse applications such as consumer goods as well as heavy industries such as automotive, military, as well as electronic goods. Features such as high insulation, abrasion resistance, and lightweight built have constantly encouraged rapid adoption of such polymer foam types. Under prevailing circumstances, automotive industry, consumer electronics, as well as sport industries have constantly adopted polymer foam to meet consumer demands and industry specifics. However, poor recyclability of polymer foams has lately attracted substantial resistance, thus impacting onward growth trajectory in polymer foams market.
Factors such as deficient waste disposal, recyclability, and flammability have restricted adoption of chloro fluoro carbons (CFCs) in polymer foams to environment sustainability parameters. In recent years, advances in biodegradable polymer foams are witnessing rapid strides to encourage eco-friendly polymer foams, also markedly restraining reliance on petroleum derivatives that are used in various industries. Biodegradable polymer foams are soon to substitute conventional polymer foams to address petroleum scarcity and burgeoning environmental hazards. They are renowned for elaborate feature portfolios such as water solubility and moisture stability. In recent years, starch based polymer foams have evolved as a first in line option as biodegradable counterpart. It is gaining prominence in biodegradable packaging.
Polymer foams are manufactured by integrating dual segments at a set speed to form a unique polymer matrix in the form of air bubbles and air tunnels, known as open cell and closed cell structures. A detailed manufacturing process comprising extrusion, slab-stock pouring and various molding tactics are applied to attain multi-purpose polymer foams to suit various end-use industries.
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