What is the difference between foam and sponge

Producing foam material is similar to baking bread. A chemical reaction in the liquid mixture creates carbon dioxide gas that leaves a very open structure. Sponge materials also use a chemical reaction to create gas bubbles, but these remain self-contained cells, each one isolated from its neighbors.

Some manufacturers can control the size and distribution of these pores to produce very consistent material with highly predictable behavior. Open and Closed. The foam production process leaves an open structure more like a mesh than a solid. In contrast, in a sponge the pores influence material behavior.

Custom-fabricated foam rubber products also support the use of tapes that use either a heat-activated taping system HATS or a pressure-sensitive adhesive PSA.

A variety of bonding methods are available for custom gaskets, but not all of them are suitable for foam rubber. Like foam rubber, sponge rubber has a cellular structure and is available in different densities.

Typically, they are listed as soft, medium, and firm. There are two main types of sponge rubber. Open-cell materials contain open, interconnected pockets that permit the passage of air, water, and other chemicals when the material is not compressed. Closed-cell sponge rubber contains balloon-like cells that hold nitrogen gas and thus prevent the passage of these substances at low pressures. To produce open-cell sponge rubber, sodium bicarbonate is added to other ingredients in a heated mold.

As the uncured sponge rises like a cake, the baking soda creates open, interconnected cells. To make closed-cell sponge rubber, a chemical powder that decomposes under heat and pressure is added.

Foaming is specific production process, and foam rubber contains mostly open cells. Although some of the cells in foam rubber are closed, these rubber materials would not pass ASTM tests for water absorption, a standard requirement for closed-cell materials. Sponge rubber is made of neoprene, EPDM, nitrile, silicone, and many other elastomeric materials. Often, sponge rubber profiles are fabricated into finished gaskets that are used for shock absorption and provide good compression and recovery.

Sponge rubber sheets also support custom fabrication, included value-added operations such as gasket taping. Compared to solid rubber, sponge rubber is softer and less resistant to compression; however, sponge rubber still has a high strength-to-weight ratio. Conversely, manufacturing closed cell rubber involves using a chemical powder that decomposes under heat. The pressure is added to the mixture, and nitrogen gas is produced, which helps give closed cell sponge rubber its density and strength.

Aquaseal manufactures our sponge rubber both open and closed cell and foam rubber from synthetic and natural rubbers. Our products are used for applications requiring pads, shapes, coils, and rubber gaskets , as well as mouse mat bases and simple strips of material. Do you need a bespoke foam rubber or sponge rubber solution? Get in touch with the Aquaseal team today on E: enquiries aquasealrubber. Delivered with Cargo Creative. Flexible foam rubber is used in soles and heels, automobile seats, mattresses and pillows.

Rigid foam rubbers have their application in refrigerators and freezers. Sponge rubbers have been used in automotive, marine, public transport, and aviation sectors.

Open-cell sponge rubber has its application in gaskets, seals, and protective padding, as it can resist sunlight and UV rays. Closed-cell sponge rubber is useful for cushioning, soundproofing, weather-stripping, thermal insulation, etc. The uses of foam and sponge rubber are not limited to the areas mentioned above. However, these are some of the chief areas where they have been widely used time and again. Open and closed sponge rubber, made from different elastomers are widely used in multiple sectors like the auto industry, food and beverages packaging, medical packaging, chemical industry, electrical wires, etc.

Accurate Rubber Corporation supplies custom made high quality closed cell sponge silicone rubber profiles in different size, shape and colors. If you are looking for silicone sponge gasket , extruded sponge rubber strips , silicone sponge tube visit www. We can also make custom silicone rubber tubing , silicone rubber cord , extruded silicone gaskets , silicone rubber strips , molded rubber parts , vulcanized and splice silicone O-Rings , etc.

We work with our clients to select the feasible rubber material and provide robust customer service from our end. Your email address will not be published. Post Comment. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly.