Reticulated foam is a light foam with dodecahedral cells used in various applications, from medical equipment to outdoor furniture. It is made through a structured and controlled process that involves an explosion. It can also be used for crafts, but finding small sizes can be challenging. Its open cell design makes it ideal for all-weather furniture.
Reticulated foam is used in a variety of applications and most people have seen it in one form or another. It is a light foam with open cells and each cell has a dodecahedral (12 sided) shape. The uses are plentiful. It could cover speaker grilles, be used as filters in air conditioners, air purifiers or vacuum cleaners, or form vital parts of medical or military equipment, just to name a few of the ways it can be used.
Perhaps the most exciting part about crosslinked foam is the way it’s made. It is an extremely structured and controlled process. Companies that create crosslinked foam start by selecting foam with nearly identically sized pores (apertures). These pieces are placed in a pressure vessel, into which gases are introduced to create an explosion.
When the explosion is underway, it creates an environment where most of the material in each pore or cell has been “blasted out”. Nearly 100% of the foam in each “pore” has been separated from it. This means that each piece of foam now has the classic dodecahedron shape and is much lighter. This can be done on various thicknesses of foam, and the entire procedure must be carefully orchestrated so that the explosion is contained and works exactly as it needs to work on the foam but not destroy it.
While many times reticulated foam is used in various things like medical devices, machines or vehicles, there are times when people might want this type of foam for other uses. For example, it can be used to help make a variety of crafts. However, sometimes it can be difficult to find small foam sizes. It’s best to contact local stores that sell crafts or that specifically sell foam, and check online.
There is no doubt that crosslinked foam is proving its usefulness in many different ways. For example, people may want to look at all-weather chairs or sofas that include this type of foam in their cushions. Due to its open cell design it tends not to retain water. This means that outdoor furniture that gets exposed to the occasional shower will dry quickly and likely last longer. Those planning to make their own upholstery for outdoor use might definitely want to consult a nearby foam store or one online to find reticulated foam for cushions.
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