Sections

Latest News

News 23 Jun 2026

Rolling Stock Networking: Connect with CB Frost at RSN 2026

At CB Frost & Co, we don’t believe in waiting around when a great opportunity knocks. That is exactly why...

News 4 Jun 2026

Why Choosing the Right EN45545 Gasket is Critical for Rail Industry Safety

In the modern rail industry passenger safety dictates every phase of vehicle design, engineering, and manufacturing. Major structural components, advanced...

Everyday Uses of Sponge and Foam Materials

Uncategorised

July 28, 2016

At CB Frost, as well as providing a number of sponge and foam materials in sheet and strip form, we can also manufacture a multitude of products in house, including: Gaskets Washers Extrusions Fabrications Mouldings However, as well as common industrial uses of foam and sponge materials, these highly versatile...

At CB Frost, as well as providing a number of sponge and foam materials in sheet and strip form, we can also manufacture a multitude of products in house, including:

  • Gaskets
  • Washers
  • Extrusions
  • Fabrications
  • Mouldings

However, as well as common industrial uses of foam and sponge materials, these highly versatile materials are used in a wide range of applications, products and services that the average person comes across on a daily basis.

Trains

Sponge and foam materials such as BF 1000, BF 2000 and HT800 amongst others are commonly used for a range of applications within the rail sector. For example, HT800 silicone sponge or silicone foam is commonly used in the manufacture of lighting seals to protect against the ingress of dust and moisture and door seals to prevent the penetration of the elements. In addition to lighting and environmental seals, HT800 is also commonly used to produce shock absorbing cushions and gaskets.

HT800 is LUL approved for use on the London Underground Network and is widely used for a number of applications, catering to commuters, travellers, tourists and local people every day as they travel around London.

Packaging

Both sponge and foam materials are commonly used in packaging as an inner lining. To help keep products safe, sponges and foams provide an inner packaging solution within a harder outer casing that is secure enough to hold things in place, but also able to absorb any knocks or shock. Sponges are commonly found inside flight cases, briefcases and other packaging materials, helping to keep the contents safe.

Insulation

Foam materials are very commonly used in the construction industry for insulation purposes. Foams have a closed cell structure that provides the ideal properties to hold heat in, however, its malleability means that it is ideal for fitting inside wall cavities without damaging their structure. A further benefit of foam is that it does not absorb water, so there is no risk of it holding water that could lead to damages.

As well as providing excellent heat insulation, sponge and foam also work extremely well for sound proofing purposes. Whilst sponge of foam sound proofing helps to minimise noise from different rooms within a house, these materials are also made use of in recording studios and TV sets where noise cancellation is really important.

Toys

As sponge materials have a compression set that allows them to return to their original shape, they provide an ideal material for the manufacture of soft toys. Parents can therefore allow their young children to play with their toys without worrying that they may injure themselves on hard parts, or damage other items in the home.

Upholstery

Sponge and foam materials are very commonly used in the padding for sofa and chair seats to provide cushioning and comfort. Memory foam pillows and mattresses are now more popular than ever before, providing extra comfort and support as we sleep.

Sporting protective gear

For combat sports such as boxing, or kick boxing, foam material is used in most of the protective gear that you would commonly wear. For example, boxing gloves, head protectors, chest guards and shin guards all use foam to absorb some of the force when we get hit.

If you are unsure which foam or sponge material is the right fit for your requirements, please call CB Frost today on +44 (0) 121 773 8494 and our friendly and experienced team will be on hand to talk through your options and help you choose the most suitable material.

Keep up to date with the
latest CB Frost & Co news

01
03
EN45545 Materials and Their Impact on the Rail Industry
EN45545 Materials and Their Impact on the Rail Industry

Whilst rail networks have been key to European transport since the Industrial Revolution, EN45545-2, the European Standard for fire safety in the rail industry has only been mandatory since 2018. Since then, EN45545 materials have been considered in all aspects of rail stock design and manufacture, helping to improve the safety of passenger and freight […]

Essential Tips for Purchasing Gaskets
Essential Tips for Purchasing Gaskets

Gaskets are commonly used parts with a wide range of uses in different applications and industry sectors. Whilst their purpose is usually relatively simple, it’s important to follow our top tips for designing, choosing and purchasing gaskets to ensure that you receive the best possible, cost-effective gaskets for your application. Understand how important gaskets are […]

Launching the New Lightweight Rail Material
Launching the New Lightweight Rail Material

  As a company, we always strive to provide an ideal solution for customers in all sectors and continually work to develop new products. For over 30 years we have supplied a wide range of materials and finished parts for the rail industry, with our technical knowledge, excellent customer service, attention to detail and extensive […]

Choosing Sealing Materials for The Agriculture Sector
Choosing Sealing Materials for The Agriculture Sector

Over time, as a result of the many challenges faced by farmers, the agricultural sector has seen a lot of technological advances. The population is growing, resulting in more demand for agricultural produce, however, available farming land is also shrinking, leaving farmers to produce more food in a much smaller area. At the same time, […]

Work Underway on CB Frost’s New Premises
Work Underway on CB Frost’s New Premises

Following the announcement of our expansion and relocation, work is now underway on our new premises. Exterior signage has been installed on the front of the building and internal work will begin imminently. Our new signs display our updated logo, along with our contact details (which will remain the same). In the near future, plant […]

The CB Frost Guide to Rubber Extrusions
The CB Frost Guide to Rubber Extrusions

As specialist rubber and plastics manufacturers, as well as supplying a comprehensive range of materials to different industries, using our in-house facilities, we supply a range of bespoke products to meet customer specifications. To ensure that we always at the very least, meet expectations, we work closely with customers to make certain that all their […]

Gasket and Washer Manufacturing Techniques
Gasket and Washer Manufacturing Techniques

At CB Frost, we pride ourselves on our extensive in-house gasket manufacturing capabilities. Working in highly competitive industrial sectors, it’s vital that we can manufacture products from an extremely versatile range of materials, including rubber and silicone, sponge and foam materials, and cork. Using a range of different manufacturing processes, we can create products to […]

CB Frost and The New Tube For London
CB Frost and The New Tube For London

With London’s population growing rapidly, over the next few decades, trains, stations and tracks are being modernised across the London Underground Network to meet demands. The New Tube will first be introduced for the Piccadilly line, with the Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo, and City lines to follow. To provide a more reliable service and meet […]

CB Frost, UK Manufacturing and Industry
CB Frost, UK Manufacturing and Industry

As a leader in the specialist rubber and plastics industry, CB Frost have long served many of the major sectors of UK manufacturing. From our early roots in Birmingham, the city of a thousand trades and the birthplace of the commercial plastics industry, we have seen huge change in the last 98 years. Not only […]