10 - Flexible Foams

Abstract

In Chapter 9, Structural Foams, we covered rigid foams and rigid foam-based structural foams. The main driver in rigid foam properties was the glass transition temperature, Tg, which were typically significantly greater than ambient (room) temperature. Because polyurethane foams are the most abundant polymeric foams, a lengthy fundamental treatment of the formation of these foams was carried out in Chapter 8. For thermoplastic foams which are classified as rigid foams, e.g., polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based foams, the glass transition temperatures of the base polymer are normally very high. In the case of PS, the Tg is ~100°C, while for PVC, the Tg is ~87°C. Table 10.1 lists the glass transition temperature, Tg, and the melt temperature, Tm, of select number of polymers including those typically used in the production of polymeric foams.