Everyday Uses of Sponge and Foam Materials

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.