Determination and advantages of solid foam
A robust foam made by the press method is resistant to microorganisms and is not destroyed by rodents, it can be easily processed by a joinery tool, it is well bent and stamped in the heated state, the sheets are perfectly bonded with both other materials andbetween themselves.
In addition to the noted mechanical properties, the rigid foam has a high heat resistance and can be used in the temperature range from -60 to +80 degrees Celsius. Its heat-insulating properties are unique: a 20-mm thick layer of solid foam is, in its thermal resistance, equivalent to a brickwork with a thickness of 860 millimeters or a layer of wood 150 millimeters thick.
High-density foam has a near-zero capillarity, which makes its ability to absorb moisture very low, and, being in a moist environment, it is much less susceptible to deformation than a foam that has not been press-treated.
Due to its low volumetric weight and closed-cell system, this material is well buoyant. The most dense foam plastic when in water does not lose this ability for several years and has a significant advantage over natural cork.
The sound absorption coefficient of solid foam is also relatively high. In order to improve the soundproofing properties of its blocks are perforated. It should also be noted the chemical resistance of this material. It is resistant to the effects of mineral acids, as well as to strong and weak alkalis.
Disadvantages of high-density foam
However, such a foam is not free from defects. For several years the debate about the toxicity of expanded polystyrene continues, and therefore it can be recommended to purchase them only with sanitary certificates, and the residual styrene content should not be more than 0.1%.
And, finally, the main problem is high combustibility, since polystyrene products easily ignite from a spark or flame. The introduction of special additives solved the problem only in part, eliminating the possibility of ignition from a spark, but did not prevent the burning in a fire. Therefore, any kind of foam is recommended to be used only for external needs.
Application of solid foam
Thanks to its remarkable properties, dense foam has long been used in various sectors of the economy and technology: in aircraft and shipbuilding, in industrial fisheries and the chemical industry, in radio and electrical engineering. And, of course, as a wonderful heat-insulating material, it is indispensable in construction.
The rigid foam is easily processed and glued. Due to this, blocks of various sizes and shapes can be obtained from it, which then, if necessary, are planed, milled, sawn and drilled. To do this, use a variety of tools that are not always available for home use.
On the boards it is sawed on band sawing carpenters. Edge cutting, milling and planing is performed on thicknesser, planer-planing, circular saws and milling machines. For drilling use vertical and horizontal drilling machines with manual and manual feeding.
By means of gluing and machining, reinforced foam is obtained, which is a combination of rigid foam and reinforcing material: sheets of metal, plywood, metal mesh or rods. Strength and thermal insulation characteristics allow the use of foam plastic for the construction of the roof, which allows you to build a cafe on the roof of the building or, say, a parking lot for cars.
