There are all types of foam products on the market, but few have the specific characteristics of PORON. This unique foam is a top choice for everything from impact absorption to gasketing, but it’s a little hard to understand its power and versatility just by looking at the product sheet. This article will break down the benefits of using PORON and dive into specific use cases so you can see exactly why this foam is so highly regarded.
What is Rogers PORON?
PORON Industrial Polyurethanes are foam products developed by Rogers Corporation, one of the world’s leading engineered materials companies. PORON foams feature microcellular open-cell structures that allow for excellent energy absorption, compression set resistance, and long-term durability. These characteristics make PORON products excellent for any applications that require constant pressure or impact.
Applications of PORON Foam
PORON materials are much more versatile than some other foam products, so they’re frequently used for many applications in all kinds of industries. And because there are so many products in the PORON line, it’s easy to find a specific type that meets your needs. Here are a few of the most common applications for PORON foam products:
Cushioning
PORON foams are great for various cushioning applications across industries. In these cases, lower density PORON products are typically used since they provide the most cushioning. These foams are often used for medical and orthotic applications such as prosthetics, insoles, and midsoles. They’re also commonly used in electronics to cushion and seal device displays (like LCD screens).
Sealing
Several PORON foams are designed with sealing applications in mind, so it’s all about finding a specific product that works for you. For example, PORON AquaPro® foams provide enhanced water sealing performance that’s ideal for heavy-duty sealing and gasketing. Need sealing for ultra-thin devices? Look at PORON ThinStik™ foams, which can be as thin as 0.1 mm. Note that many of these sealing applications require custom cutting, so it’s best to work with a foam expert to determine what’s best for your needs.
Vibration Management
PORON foam products are also excellent for vibration management. You’ll often find PORON foams working to dampen vibrations in industrial machines. Thanks to their stress relaxation capabilities, PORON materials experience only small changes in stiffness and can remain stable in all sorts of environments.
Benefits of PORON Urethane Foam
We chose to add PORON foams to our lineup of materials because they come with lots of advantages. And with so many types of PORON available, our experts can help you find the foam you need pretty quickly. While PORON foams have many benefits, here are a few highlights:
Durability
PORON’s microcellular structure and exceptional compression set resistance make it a particularly durable foam for some of the most demanding applications. This is a big reason why PORON is often used for everything from industrial machinery to automotive systems. PORON is also resistant to crumbling and won’t become brittle, so you don’t have to worry about it disintegrating after long term use.
Compression Set Resistance
PORON polyurethanes have low compression set values, which means they’re able to provide effective sealing over long periods of time. PORON foam also has the ability to handle repeat impact without losing its shape, which makes it an extremely reliable choice for high-intensity use cases.
Chemical Resistance
Unlike many other foam products available, PORON materials display very good to excellent resistance to chemical substances such as dilute acids and bases, organic fluids, and petroleum products. In most cases, PORON won’t get tacky or deteriorate after being exposed to common chemicals like cleaning solvents.
Versatility
It’s hard to find foam products that are more versatile than PORON materials. There are currently 16 products in the PORON line that come in various thicknesses, densities, and firmness levels. This means you can meet many of your foam needs with PORON materials alone – and one type of PORON foam can handle several applications.
Explore Merryweather Foam Solutions
Still not completely sure if PORON is right for your application? We can help you determine if you should opt for PORON or another high performance foam material. Contact us to tell us more about your needs!
Our experts want to help you find the right solution to your foam challenges.
