Polyethylene Foam Fabrication
Polyethylene Foam Fabrication
Fabrications supplied by Advanced Seals & Gaskets Ltd can be manufactured from a single type of material or multiple types layered together. By working with a multitude of reputable material manufacturers and suppliers, we are able to offer fabricated polyethylene components using a range of materials in many grades, densities and colours.
Our premises not only houses state of the art conversion and laminating machinery, but we also have extensive storage facilities enabling us to stock blocks (buns), rolls and sheets of polyethylene, in a range of densities and colours all ready to be converted into one of 1000’s of products including an unlimited number multiple fabricated components. Other terms and names often used to describe this material are block foam, PE foam, polyethylene sponge or LDPE (low density Polyethylene) foam. Blocks of Polyethylene foam can be split down to thicknesses starting from as little as 1.5mm, in 2 metre x 1 metre sized sheets or alternatively made thicker by laminating multiple layers together.
A fabrication requires specialist machinery, usually a combination of saws, drills, buffers and knives. By choosing ASG for your fabrications, you will also benefit from the option using our CNC oscillating knife, which can automatically buff, cut and drill fabricated parts by reading CAD drawings. Foam fabrications are often used as a cheaper alternative to mouldings and extrusions (as there is no initial die/tooling cost) for production of bespoke shapes, usually required as 1 off prototypes or small quantity runs. All our polyethylene foam fabrications are made to order and are produced using samples or drawings provided by customers, and can take many forms for example multiple material laminating to create composites sheets which are then cut down into gaskets, washers, strip, displays & signage (such as logos/lettering), props, costumes and seals with flexible joints or irregular angles.
What are Polyethylene Foam Fabrications?
Polyethylene foams used in the production of ASG’s fabrications are a chemically cross-linked foam, part of the Thermoplastic foam family, which is foamed prior to curing to create small, uniform, closed-cell structure and a high quality, lightweight material. Polyethylene materials demonstrate a number of resistances and insulation properties as well as being available in a variety of grades such as EEV, EVA, Conduction, Anti-static and Flame Retardant. Densities in which Polyethylene foam seals can be produced include 25kg, 30kg, 45kg, 60kg, 100kg densities- the density of the foam is measured as the weight or mass of the foam across its entire volume or within a cubic meter (m3).
The denser the foam, the heavier and more compact the material is, this can vary some of the properties of the material and how it performs. A fabrication is the procedure of turning blocks or sheets of polyethylene foam into custom made 3D usable shapes. Fabrications are created using a combination of CNC machines, saws, drills, buffers, glue, etc, enabling us to create unique products that usually cannot not be produced by one single process such as press, where the item is too big to be produced in one single piece, or where 3D profiles are required such as cubes or cone shapes. Supplying fabricated parts also allows us to produce composite sheets (laminating multiple layers of different materials together), before cutting out the final shapes.
Why use Polyethylene Foam Fabrications?
Advanced Seals & Gaskets Ltd have a team dedicated to the production of fabrications and the production of one offs and complex products to use during design and prototype development or when singular items are required. Fabrications are often used as a cheaper alternative to mouldings and extrusions (as there is no initial die/tooling cost) for production of bespoke shapes, these are ideal for use as samples or prototypes prior to paying for expensive tooling for mouldings or extrusions for bulk production.
Polyethylene foams in most grades are held in stock and a popular material amongst customers who choose Polyethylene foam for their fabrications as the material is manufactured in choice of grades allowing it to be safely used in different applications and environments. Polyethylene foam fabrications regardless of the grade used have the same following set of properties - a low compression set, are resistant to water, oils, chemicals and weather, with additives added to produce other grades and thus additional properties.
Being made from a closed cell material, these seals have a good tear resistance making them easy to accurately split, saw, drill and convert even using the most vigorous processes, its smooth surface also means these foams don't support mold or fungus growth. Polyethylene foam and seals made from this material have a number of desirable properties including resistance to wear and tear, Ozone, UV and a working temperature range of -60°C - +90°C.
Types of Polyethylene Available
Having a network of manufacturers and suppliers, allows ASG to offer a full range of polyethylene materials, many of which are readily available from stock for a quick turnaround. Below is just a selection of some of our popular polyethylene material types we can offer:
- Polyethylene (Block foam)
- Alveo
- Anti static
- Ethafoam
- Eva foam
- Flame retardant
- Chemically cross linked
- Plastazote
- Stratocell
Benefits of Using Polyethylene Foam
- Lightweight, strong & durable
- Good impact and shock absorbing properties
- Water repellent and buoyant
- Excellent chemical, solvent, grease and fluid resistance
- Good thermal and acoustic insulation
- Easy to cut, convert & shape
Advantages of using Polyethylene Foam Fabrications
One of the hundreds of materials supplied by ASG is Polyethylene, which is widely used in the production of fabrications as it is made in a choice of grades and densities giving customers the benefit of having a number of advantages, and a choice of properties allowing the material to be utilised in numerous industries and applications - even where there is risk of fire!
Polyethylene foam is a man-made material, with a closed cell structure which can be used in sealing applications against liquid, gases and particles, it has a high resistance to wear and tear, Ozone, UV, resilience to repeated impact and a working temperature range of -60°C to +90°C.
It also offers excellent mechanical characteristics including noise and vibration control, shock absorption and can be used for thermal insulation. Polyethylene foams are aesthetically pleasing, with a nice texture which are easy to fabricate, laminate and cut into parts using a range of techniques and processes for use within the theatrics, building and construction, HVAC, automotive, packaging and sports industries.
Product Enquiry
For information on Polyethylene Foam Fabrication please complete the following quick enquiry or call us on +44(0)1384 252555.
Characteristics of Polyethylene Foam
- Colours: Black as standard (with other colours such as white, red, yellow, green, purple, pink blue, etc available in some densities)
- Density: 25kg - 100Kg
- Grades: standard, flame retardant, EEV, EVA, Conductive, anti-static, high density, low density
- Cell Structure: closed cell
- Temperature Range: -60℃ - +90℃
Full technical data can be supplied upon request,
or downloaded from our online portal.
Please contact us using the form below or by calling us on +44(0)1384 252555.