Crosslinked Polyethylene Foam Types
There are two main types of crosslinked polyethylene foam, chemical and irradiated. Both foam types are performance oriented, with similar physical properties. Chemical has a thicker waxy durable skin on both sides and a discernible cell structure; Irradiated has a softer skin, and an indiscernible fine cell structure .
Both chemical and irradiated foams can be heat formed, and can have additives to make the foam have more distinctive properties such as color, fire retardancy, anti-microbial additives among others to make them even more application driven. Both foams types are used in a wide variety of industries, including transportation, medical insulation and packaging.