Acoustical Flexible :
Polyurethane Foam: Foam designed to be
attenuated (dampen sounds), or be non-attenuated (transmit
sound as in loud speakers).
Additive :
A material used to modify the properties, processing,
or end use of a base polymer. The amount of additive used
is usually expressed in parts per hundred (by weight) of
the total resin in the polymer formulation.
Air flow :
Amount of air expressed in cubic feet per
minute, that can be drawn through a 2”x 2”x
1” foam sample at .5-inch water pressure differential.
Air Flow is measured by a test (ASTM D3574).
Amine :
A class of compounds used as catalysts in polyurethane foam
reactions. Amines are characterized by having N, NH or NH2
groups in the molecule.
Antioxidants :
Materials which when added to a flexible polyurethane foam
formulation improve the resistance of the foam to oxidative
type reactions, such as scorch resulting from high exothermic
temperatures.
Anti-Static Flexible Polyurethane Foam :
Foam that contains
electrically conductive materials to prevent static electricity
build-up or promote static discharge. It is used primarily
in packaging applications, such as for electronic components.
ASTM American Society For Testing and Materials :
An organization devoted to the establishment of standard methods and procedures for testing materials in the United States.
Auxiliary Blowing Agent (ABA) :
An additive used in the production of foam which supplements the primary blowing agent (water), and can be used to make foam softer or lighter. Compounds used to produce gases to expand, or blow, flexible polyurethane foam during production. Auxiliary blowing agents are low temperature boiling solvents, such as methylene chloride, acetone, hydrochlorofluorocarbons and isopentane.
Amine :
A class of compounds used as catalysts in polyurethane foam reactions. Amines are characterized by having N, NH or NH2 groups in the molecule.
Ball Rebound :
A test procedure (ASTM D3574) used to measure the surface resilience of flexible polyurethane foam. The test involves dropping a steel ball of known mass from a predetermined height onto a foam sample. The rebound height attained by the steel ball, expressed as a percentage of the original drop height, is the ball rebound resilience value.
Blowing :
The process by which flexible polyurethane is foamed during production. In all cases, blowing occurs when water and TDI react to form CO2. [Also see Auxiliary Blowing Agent (ABA).]
Board Foot :
A unit of foam measurement equal to a square foot of material one inch in thickness.
Board Stock :
Flat sheets of flexible foam cut from large blocks or buns of foam.
Bonded Foam :
Flexible polyurethane foam particles or shredded flexible polyurethane foam (often manufacturing scrap) that has been glued to form a useful product. The resultant foam block is ”peeled” into the desired thickness. Largest use is for carpet cushion. [Also see Rebonded Foam.]
Bonding :
The combination of two or more components into a composite. Foam is often adhered to other foam grades or to polyester fiber.
Boston Chair Test :
Boston Fire Department test method to measure performance of flexible polyurethane foam padding materials when exposed to a fairly severe flaming ignition source. This test is a full scale composite test. Test method is now similar to California TB 133.
Bottom Out :
Lack of support under full weight load. This characteristic is often found in low-density foam. This term is very subjective, as a foam may bottom out with a heavy person, and be very comfortable to a lighter-weight individual. The problem can be reduced by specifying foam with higher density and/or greater compression modulus value.
Buffed :
Flexible polyurethane foam pieces that have been shaped or contoured by removal of foam using abrasives.
Bun :
A segment of foam cut off from continuously produced slab stock type of foam.
