Types of Packaging Foam Compared: EPE, XLPE, EVA and PU
The main types of packaging foam are expanded polyethylene (EPE), cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and open cell polyurethane (PU). Polyethylene covers most shipped products, EVA suits premium and reusable cases, and PU cushions delicate surfaces. The product’s weight, its fragility and how often the packaging is reused decide which one fits. iFoam […]
Polystyrene Recycling in South Africa: Is Polystyrene Recyclable?
The short answer to “is polystyrene recyclable” is yes, with a catch. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) can be melted down and reprocessed, but it is bulky, light and has to be clean. That is why so much of it never reaches a recycler. iFoam supplies polystyrene for construction work and cuts closed cell PE and EVA […]
How to Insulate a Bakkie Canopy with Closed Cell Foam
To insulate a bakkie canopy, line the inside panels with closed cell foam sheet, cut from cardboard templates and bonded with contact adhesive. Closed cell foam does not soak up water, so it stops the roof sweating without turning into a wet sponge. iFoam cuts closed cell PE and EVA foam sheet to size at […]
Home Gym Flooring: What to Lay Over Tiles, Wood or a Garage Slab
Home gym flooring has one rule: match the material to the heaviest thing that will hit the floor, then check what that floor sits on. Rubber matting from 12 mm goes wherever weights land, and interlocking EVA mats at 20 mm suit stretching and bodyweight work. iFoam supplies rubber gym matting, interlocking tiles and EVA […]
Boat Foam Guide: What Foam to Use in a Boat
The short answer to what foam to use in a boat is closed cell foam for anything that gets wet. Closed cell PE suits buoyancy blocks, closed cell EVA suits deck pads and seats, and open cell foam belongs only inside a cushion built to drain. iFoam cuts closed cell PE and EVA foam to […]
Pool Noodle Materials: What Pool Noodles Are Made Of
Most pool noodles are made of extruded polyethylene (PE) foam, a soft and flexible closed cell foam. That is the short answer to what pool noodles are made of. Every cell in the foam is sealed and filled with gas, so a noodle weighs a fraction of the water it pushes aside. iFoam converts closed […]
Foam Types Explained: Matching the Right Foam to Every Job
There are several main foam types, and each one is made for a different mix of load, moisture, temperature and use. Picking the right one comes down to what the foam must do and where it will be used. iFoam supplies foam and rubber cut to size from its Cape Town and Durban branches. This […]
Sound Absorbing Panels for Offices and Restaurants: Treating Echo
Sound absorbing panels reduce echo and reverberation by soaking up sound that would otherwise bounce off hard surfaces. In open-plan offices and restaurants, that makes speech easier to follow and keeps the overall noise level down. iFoam supplies acoustic foam for commercial spaces from its Cape Town and Durban branches. The range includes pyramid and […]
Upholstery Foam: A Practical Guide to Re-Stuffing a Sofa or Chair
Upholstery foam is the polyurethane foam inside sofa seats, back cushions and armchairs. When it sags, crumbles or stops springing back, fitting new foam restores the support and keeps a good frame and cover in use for longer. iFoam cuts upholstery foam to size at its Cape Town and Durban branches. This guide covers the […]
Foam Mats for Kids, Gyms and Play Areas: A Safety and Buying Guide
Foam mats cushion falls, soften hard floors and protect the surface underneath. For children’s play areas, nurseries and home gyms, the usual choice is interlocking EVA foam, because it is light, closed-cell and easy to clean. Rubber matting takes over where heavy weights are dropped. iFoam supplies 20 mm interlocking EVA gym and play mats, […]