Foamed polyethylene - application, properties and production
For a long time habitual polyethylene can take the most unexpected forms and be applied in those areas where its use seemed absolutely impossible. Who will think that thin transparent film, as this material usually presents, is a modern highly effective means for creating the most reliable bulletproof vests?
By the way, foil polyethylene foam can be combined with glass fiber reinforcement. The use of such a foil plastic is limited to a temperature range from minus 60 to plus 180 degrees Celsius. Those.the total difference is 240 degrees! This material reliably protects against fire wood. Moreover, for a limited time it can withstand even the direct action of an open fire.
Polyethylene is produced from processed high pressure polyethylenes. According to the technology, foaming of the substrate is carried out using mixtures of butanes and propanes. Freons previously used are completely excluded. Depending on the raw materials and technologies, the product can be of several types, each of which has found its application. And first of all it is a thermal insulation made of foamed polyethylene.
The addition of special substances in the manufacture significantly improves the properties of the final product. The above-mentioned metallized species are an excellent reflective insulation with the presence of fire-resistance properties and thermal insulators. In addition, the original material has transferred to its derivatives all the best qualities: water resistance, high elasticity and elasticity, low abrasivity of the film surface, resistance to temperature changes, harmlessness and environmental friendliness in everyday use.
Thermal insulation made of expanded polyethylene is far from the only sphere of its use.
. Given what polyethylene foam has characteristics, the directions of its use come to mind by itself. And the listing should begin, perhaps, with such an important utilitarian sphere, as the protective packaging when transporting .Only an ignorant person can say that this area of its application is of secondary importance.
In the world hundreds of thousands of items are sent to the long way every minute. Their range can not even be imagined: they are so diverse. And important is the delivery of products with minimal losses. Here, amazing properties of our material are used for laying, wrapping and other types of packages, replacing the previously used corrugated cardboard, film or air-bubble packages.
The thickness of the foam can be from half a millimeter to two centimeters, which allows you to reliably pack the most fragile or perishable goods. Moreover, the material is harmless to humans, safely contacts the food group of the goods, cosmetic and children's products.
Insulation made of foam polyethylene - also a great sound-absorbing material. These features have found wide application in the construction with the use of modern technologies, ranging from flooring to the use in the construction of ceilings from GKL.
In a modern car, airplane or ship you can find foamed polyethylene films and liners. They use their high sound and heat insulation characteristics.
What gives us a low thermal conductivity of foamed polyethylene?
Low thermal conductivity of foamed polyethylene deserves special attention. The material with low density is used not only for partitions and walls, but also in foundations, caissons, insulation of light structures, water and pipes and ventilation ducts. Magnificent results give its use as a cover film in the winter.
Another area of application is the wide range of sports equipment .Everyone knows light tourist rugs, irreplaceable at any halt. In a multi-layer construction, a foam layer of the material is used. Special pads soften the load from backpacks;in modern tourist kayaks and lifejackets, mandatory for rafting along the mountain river, foam foam is also used.
Distinguishing foam polyethylene characteristics make it possible to use it and as a vapor barrier layer for buildings and premises. And the durability of the material is such that even sea water is not dangerous to it. The material is also used as a heater for window and door structures. It is impossible to list all possible applications for polyethylene foamed with butanes and propanes. One can only state that the number of them is expanding every day.