Foam BasicsMost people probably have some experience dealing with one or more of the types of foam found in seat cushions, but they may not be familiar with some of the technical aspects of these materials. In this article, we will discuss what foam is, how it is measured, how parts are made out of it, and finally, two specific types of foam that are commonly used in General Aviation.In general, the term foam refers to a substance that is formed by trapping many gas bubbles in a liquid or solid. The foams that we will be focused on consist of a gas (air) being trapped in a solid (in this case polyurethane), but the term foam also refers to a broad array of materials that are used in many different ways. Foam can be used in applications ranging from flotation devices to structural components. By manipulating chemical formulations, and mechanical processes, manufacturers can control a foam’s physical properties such as density, firmness, cell reticulation, and color, making the foam specifically suited for a specific application. The chemical ingredients selected will of course determine what material the finished foam will consist of. Some common materials used to make foam are polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, latex, and polyurethane.
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