Foam Selection
Foam Distributors stocks a wide variety of foam, including Polyester, Polyethylene, Expanded
Polystyrene, Filter foam, Hi and Lo Conductive, and Polyurethane's. If the exact type of foam
your package requires is not a stock material. It can be ordered and be available usually
within a few days.
Product Line Offering
Foam End and Side Caps
Foam Corner Blocks
Foam Laminated to Corrugated
Hi & Lo Density Conductive
Anti Static Foams
Military Spec Foams
Felted (Flocked) Foam
Custom Case Inserts
Services Offered
Custom Package Designs
Foam Fabrication
Router Cutting
Hot Wire Cutting
Hot Blade Cutting
Die Cutting
Convolution
Product Labeling
Drop Testing
 
Glossary of terms
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Recycling Most packaging foam is recyclable. Polyurethane is ground up rebound, and is used for carpet
pads. Polyethylene is ground up, returned to pellet form, and reused in Polyethylene products. Polystyrene
is also ground and reused in manufacturing Polystyrene products.
Antistatic A non static generating material.
Antistatic foam is usually pink in color.
Convoluted A process in which flexible foam
passes through a machine which distorts and cuts
it in a way that leaves interlocking high and low
points. This is commonly used for items such as
circuit boards which can have an uneven surface
and need something that can conform to it.
Polyurethane (aka: Ether, Flexible) Flexible open
cell foam of various densities, poured to form
large "buns" Which can be sliced to any thickness.
E.L.E. Ester-like ether. Polyurethane foam which
has a look and feel of polyester.
Polyester (aka: Ester) government spec. Flexible foam which is highly
durable, flame retardant, and resistant to discoloration.
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M.D.L. (Multi Density Layer) A low density Polyethylene foam laminated
to a thin layer of High density Polyethylene. Used for hinge pack designs
with little to no fabrication.
Expanded Polyethylene (aka: Ethafoam) Semi rigid, closed cell foam
which is extruded into planks of various thickness. This is usually used for
heavier items.
Ethalam Polyethylene roll stock which is laminated in layers to achieve a
desired thickness.
Conductive Accepts static electricity but
dissipates the charge throughout the foam thus
reducing it to a harmless level.
Nominal (Nom) When polyethylene is poured
into planks, it expands slightly as it cools. Usually
expanding approximately 1/4"
Skive Process of shaving polyethylene planks to
produce a net thickness.
Expanded Polystyrene (aka: E.P.S.) Rigid foam
which is fabricated and cut using wire, heated
with electricity. It is also available in antistatic.
Pluck (aka: stripping) The process of removing
any die cut sections from a piece of foam.
Drop test The method of determining if a package design adequately
protects the contents.
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"G" A unit of measurement used when drop testing. This rating tells us
how fragile an item is and how much impact force will damage it 10 -
35g > fragile. 35 - 60g > semi-fragile. 60 - up > durable.
Density The weight per cubic foot. (12" x 12" x 12")
I.L.D. Indent Load Deflection. this numerical rating determines the
firmness of the foam 30 - 50 psi > soft. 50 -75 psi > medium. 75 - up
> firm. (aka: I.F.D. - indent force deflection)