Foam Industry Terminology

As with many industries, the foam industry has its own jargon. This can make it difficult for a consumer to make an educated purchase if they do not know a key term. This page is intended to alleviate any constraints and provide users with easy access to definitions of the various foam industry terminology used throughout this website.

Acoustical Foam

An open or closed-cell foam used for acoustic transfer. This foam will block sound through absorption or by reversing acoustical direction to result in the deadening of sound waves and reducing their amplitude.

Airflow

The ability for air to pass through the open-cell structure of foam or the inability of air to flow through a closed-cell foam. Larger open-cell or Egg Crate foams allow for air to flow and provide a cooler surface.

Anti-Microbial Foam

A viscoelastic type of foam manufactured with natural antimicrobial inhibitors to stop the growth and spread of microorganisms. Examples of these foam types are Memory and Latex foam.

Anti-Static Foam

A polyurethane foam that is manufactured with a surfactant which gives the foam anti-static properties. It is normally produced in the color pink and is often used for safely ship electronic components without friction.

Attenuation

The measurement of force impacted and reflected as energy passes within a foam. A firmer foam would have more attenuation with a greater stopping force of energy than a softer foam.

Back Cushion

A softer foam meant to provide support while having the ability to collapse when pressure is applied to it without flatting. Back cushions are not limited to foam, and other padding commonly used includes polyester fiber and down feathers.

Bonding

Forming lamination between foam layers or adhering foam ends to one another and other materials to foam. Spray adhesives, paint, and glues are used to bond foam to foam and foam to other materials.

Breathability

The amount of air that passes through foam. Open-cell foam provides the ability for air to pass through. Closed-cell foam is manufactured without the ability for air to pass through.

Cross-Linking

Cross-linking greatly enhances the tensile strength and abrasion resistance of foam. The thermal threshold can be achieved up to 120 °C. By increasing the crosslinking density the temperature properties of the base polymer threshold also increase.

Closed-Cell

The opposite of open-cell foam. Closed-cell foam has great tensile strength and durability. It is designed to provide high impact absorption and thermal insulation. Closed-cell foam is non-water absorbent, will float, and is chemical resistant to petroleum.

Cloth-backed Foam

Fabric that is attached to foam. Typically, half an inch thick foam has a fabric laminated to the face side. It can be found in automobile headliners. It is also used in seating foam, with cloth glued to the backside and fabric to the top side by sewing through the cloth and fabric, creating a channel design.

Durability

The ability of foam to stand up to or break down under normal conditions of use. The durability of foam is determined by the amount of weight per cubic foot in the foam combined with the resilience of the foam.

Elastomer

Foam that has stretch and exhibits elastic or rubber properties. Elastomeric foam is measured in different foam types. Two well-known elastic type foams are Memory foam and Latex foam.

Elongation

The length that foam can be stretched and measured before it begins to tear. The amount of stretch is measured as a percentage of the foams original cut size. Elongation is an important measurement to determine how much pull can be applied to the foam.

Fatigue

When foam begins to break down and distort, forming sink areas and sag primarily in the areas of use. This will lead to the inability of foam to support weight or long-term use and its ability to return back to its original form.

Flame Retardant

An application of ingredients added to foam within the manufacturing process intended to slow the ignition of foam and reduce combustibility. Flame retardant foam is designed to self-extinguish, lowering the risk for flame and fire.

Foam Cell

An open chamber produced by gas pressure during the production process of polyurethane foam. This gives open-cell foam the ability to maintain resilience and the ability to bounce back. Closed-cell foam is manufactured with the intent to eliminate cell structure for thermal insulation.

Foam Cell Count

The number of open cells measured in a square inch of foam. Foam in water filtration systems or air pressure relies on cell count for regulated passage. The number and size of the open cells also play an important part in the function and running of machinery.

Foam Compression

The percentage that foam would indent, given a measured weight being applied to it.

Foam Decomposition

As the term suggests, it involves the breakdown cycle of foam. Polyurethane foams are formed by trapping pockets of gas between thin solid films. These pockets of air bubbles squish down and bounce back many times over the life cycle of the foams use, breaking down and softening the foam over time until it becomes too soft for seating. The foam firmness and quality of the foam type will determine how fast the foam begins to decompose.

Foam Density

Density is the weight of the foam, measured by pounds in a cubic foot. Density determines the quality of the foam. The denser a foam is, the heavier the foam is, making a heavier foam a higher quality than a lighter weight foam. Density is often confused with the firmness of foam.

Foam Resiliency

The quick reflex of foam expansion. After being compressed and released, a resilient foam will quickly return back to its original shape.

High Resilience (HR) Foam

It is commonly used in the foam industry to classify foam that is a minimum of 2.5 pounds in a cubic foot. It is an excellent quality foam with a springy feel that is quick to return back to its original shape and size.

Hydrophilic

A foam that is altered for use in the medical and cosmetic industries due to its durability and softness. It is a foam dressing with high absorbency and breathability that has improved productivity in treatment. It is also resistant to oil.

Hydrophobic

A non-absorbent foam that is water replant and will not contain moisture. In an open-cell structure, it has a squishy feel and is used in water filtration and outdoor seating. In a closed-cell structure, it provides an excellent water repellant property.

Hypoallergenic

A name meant to describe foam mattresses and foam cushions that are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. It is marketed toward consumers that suffer from allergic reactions. Examples of hypoallergenic foam are Memory and Latex foam, as they have a denser cell structure that provides a safer environment for people that suffer from allergies.

Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) (Surface Firmness)

An industry standard of measurement to determine a given firmness to a wide range of foam types. Pressure is applied to the surface of a piece of foam and is given an ILD number based on how far the indent depresses into the foam with a given load of force. The higher the number, the firmer the foam.

K Factor

Insulation thermal conductivity values for foam and the foam’s properties to conduct heat. The rate of heat that flows through foam is measured in BTUs that pass through the foam. The lower the K-value of a foam type, the higher its insulating value.

Latex Foam

Foam with a rubber structure. The primary ingredient is sap from a rubber tree. With synthetic fluids added the foam rubber is produced in several types. This foam type is known to have a bouncy feel and is designed with perforated holes meant for air passage. Latex is a high-quality, comfortable, durable, and long-lasting foam rubber.

Neoprene

A non-water absorbent foam rubber that has the ability to stretch in all directions. It has excellent thermal insulation properties. Neoprene can be sewed or glued together and is used primarily in wet suit industries. Neoprene has great tensile strength and is tear-resistant.

Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)

A single number value ranging from 0.0-1.0 used to measure the amount of acoustical absorption. An NRC of 0.0 indicates that the foam reflects sound energy. An NRC of 1.0 indicates that the foam absorbs 100% of sound. A thin closed-cell foam structure can increase performance by deflection.

Open-Cell

Open cells are manufactured by incorporating ingredients that force gas to expand, opening cell structures and creating the air pockets that are apparent in all open-cell foam types. Open-cell foam is produced in polyurethane foam and foam rubber products.

Pieced Foam

Joining foam pieces together to create a larger size or different shape. It is an easy process, and involves using spray adhesive or paint on contact cement. Simply place glue on both ends that are to be attached together. Wait time before adhering is about three to five minutes.

Resilience

The ability of foam to perform under heavy use without losing the ability to quickly spring back when pressure is released. Resilience plays a key role in the quality of different foam and provides a higher life cycle. Resilience also provides a spring-like feel for comfort.

Return to Action

A foam piece’s ability to spring back after being compressed. Different foam types have varying return to action rates, with High Resilience, Qualux, and Latex foam having the highest return to action speeds.

Support Factor

A measurement used in the foam industry to rate a foam’s degree of support under pressure. It is also known as Indentation force deflection (IFD).

Tear Strength

A measurement to determine how much pull can be placed on foam before it begins to tear. Open-cell low-density foam has a low tolerance against tearing. Closed-cell foam and neoprene foam rubber both have excellent tear strength and are difficult to rip.

Tensile Strength (PSI)

The amount of pull force a foam can support without tearing apart when being stretched. Tensile strength is calculated by pounds of force per square inch (PSI) based on the unit size and the foam’s composition.

Water-Resistant

The ability of foam to repel water. A non-water absorbent foam will not mold or mildew in outdoor use. Open-cell foam with water-resistant properties is used in outdoor foam cushions. Closed-cell foam is used as thermal insulation on hot tub covers.