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Adhesives
- Due to the many variables related to adhesion, we feel it best to refer
these questions to the real experts on the subject - the adhesive
manufactures. The Adhesives and Sealants Industry www.adhesivesmag.com
publishes a list of the top 50 manufacturers. Once on their site, click on ASI
50 for a complete listing.
Plastomers
utilize resins with a specific gravity of .89 and above. The resulting
foam is tougher, stronger, and more 'plastic-like' than foams produced using traditional catalysts.
Elastomers utilize resins with a specific gravity of less than .89,
resulting in a foam that exhibits exceptional elongation properties, one that
is drape-able, more rubber-like, and softer in feel. There are many terms that are used
interchangeably within the plastics and rubber industries. Plastics are often
called "resins" or "polymers", while rubbers are named as
"thermoset elastomers" or even "thermoset rubbers".
Crosslinking
ties all the polymer molecules together. Because all the polymer molecules are
tied together, they aren't easily broken apart from each other. Crosslinking
makes both elastomers and plastics stronger. Improved physical properties such
as tensile, elongation, and tear strength are much improved when a material is
crosslinked.
Cellular foams are composed of
millions of small cavities or cells. These cells may be interconnecting, open-cell, or non-connecting,
closed-cell.
Most
of the cells or bubbles in a closed-cell foam are not broken; they resemble
inflated balloons compressed together in a compact configuration. By
open-cell we mean that each cell is connected to the other with an opening so
that water, air or gas can pass through them, similar to the way water is
absorbed by a dish sponge. The cell walls, or surfaces of the bubbles, are
broken and air fills all of the spaces in the material.
A Class 'A' surface is defined as any exposed part of an
automotive interior or exterior. The packaging utilized in the production,
handling, and delivery of automobile parts must not in any way, affect the
quality of the product. The parts must remain in the same condition as they
were when originally produced. This includes any visual defects such as
stains, burns, scrapes, haze, excess surface roughness, discoloration,
etc.
Cellect's flame retardant foam materials are
recognized under the Component Recognition Program of Underwriters
Laboratories Inc. In addition, all of Cellect's crosslinked polyolefin foam
products comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 302
(FMVSS-302); flammability of interior materials. The standard requires that a
material shall not burn or propagate a flame across its surface at a rate of
more than 100mm (4") per minute.
Cellect's foam materials are provided in bun
form, also referred to as blocks or slabs.
Glossary of Additional Terms:
EVA - Ethylene
Vinyl Acetate
EPDM
- Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
ASTM - American Society for Testing Materials
PCF - Pounds per Cubic Foot - equivalent to
metric kg/m3
PLI - Pounds per Linear Inch - equivalent to
metric N/mm
PSI - Pounds per Square Inch - equivalent to
metric kPa
Compression Set - The amount of permanent set, or failure to return to
its original thickness, measured in %, that a material exhibits after being
exposed to a compressive force, for a given amount of time, at a specific
temperature.
Compression Deflection - The amount of force required to compress a
foam specimen by a given % over the entire top area of the specimen. Usually
expressed in pounds per square inch (PSI).
Density - Describes the weight per unit volume of a material, usually
expressed in PCF (pounds per cubic foot), or the metric equivalent kg/m3
(kilograms per cubic meter).
Durometer - A meter used to determine the hardness of cellular
materials.
Elongation - The maximum length a material can be stretched without
tearing, or exhibiting permanent distortions. The value is expressed as
percentage of the materials original length.
Resilience - The ability of a material to recover from impressions and
withstand additional impacts. Usually expressed as the ratio of return to
impressed energy.
Tear Strength - Based on the thickness of the material, the resistance
to growth of a nick or cut when tension is applied to the cut material.
Tensile Strength - The maximum amount of stress a material can
withstand without tearing while being stretched lengthwise.
Thermal Stability - Dimensional stability in any direction of a
material at elevated temperatures.
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