Polystyrene foam volume to weight conversion examining foam's density, weight, and firmness.
Business and industry words are often re-defined to serve a specific purpose.These niche languages can be confusing to people who are familiar with the common meanings of words and phrases.Compared to other industries, foam is relatively uncomplicated and easily understood, but at Foam Factory, Inc., we feel it is important to clarify a few misnomers and assumptions about foam and foam products to help individuals identify the best products for their jobs.
If you told a person on the street that foam has density, weight, and firmness characteristics, he or she would probably understand.One of the biggest myths about foam is how interrelated these characteristics are.It would appear that the density of a material and the weight of it have a correlation to each other.Density and firmness are separate values for evaluating a product in terms of foam.
Density is a foam characteristic that is often over-applied.foam density is the same as any other application of the definition, being the quantity or mass of a material per a measurable size or volume.This applies to all types of foam.A block of material is weighed to find density.If a mattress or cushion is said to have 3LB density, that means that the material being used will weigh more than 1LB.Density is an independent characteristic and not related to the feel of a product.
Density can be used to measure a product's longevity and resilience.The open-cell foam is made of tiny bubble-like cells that are not completely closed off to one another.The size and thickness of these cells have an impact on Density.The thicker the cell wall, the more weight and pressure is required to break it down.A physically smaller cell means there is more material and less air in the foam, increasing the amount of performance material in a product.Conventional foams fall in a range of 1LB to 3LB.It's best to use high density foam in applications that get a lot of use.Lower density foam is great for pillows, body bolsters, and mattress toppers that don't get a lot of use.
Density is sometimes referred to as weight, which is an interpretation of the characteristic.Density and weight can be used in different ways.It is important to specify that you need to know the physical weight of the entire product and not just the density of material being used.A 6-inch thick, queen-size mattress has a 2.8LB density.The material is denser than the weight.The weight is 46 pounds, two very different specifications.
Firmness is a reflection of how foam carries and yields to weight and pressure.It is measured with a value.IFD is also known as indentation force deflection.The force in pounds that it takes a 50 square inch circular plate to compress the material 25 percent of its thickness is what ILD is.If a foam section requires 36 pounds of pressure to reach 25 percent compression, it has an ILD value of 36.It is important that the material being tested is in line with the dimensions stated, as thicker and thinner cuts of the same material can affect weight differently.A softer material will require less force than a firm one.ILD values range from 8 to 70, with some materials reaching as high as 120 to 150.
Firmness testing looks at how a material will carry weight.Some foam sheets with higher densities can have lower ILD values than other foams.To match your preferences to a product, it is important to look at the two values independently.People who want firm support from hard foam would want products that have higher ILD values, and people who desire comfort products with soft foam.
Knowing the differences between these two characteristics and what they do and do not represent is a major factor in deciding what kind of product best fits an application.It's an excellent way to find out what you want in a product.If you need more information on density, weight and firmness, please contact us.
I'm trying to get the weight of a 1.7# foam product.Is there a way to determine the weight by the board footage?I don't know if I need more than the density to calculate weights.
To calculate weight, you need size and density.A sheet of PE foam with a 1.7LB density is approximately 5.1 pounds.The number of inches is 5,184.3 cubic feet is 5,184 / 1,728.There is 1,728 inches in a foot.Take 3 square feet and 1.7 density for 5.1 pounds.
I already own a couch that I need to match the ILD of.What is the nature of your cushions?
The ILD information can be found on the Foam Types page.
What is the best density for floatation?This was added to the side of the canoe and was rubbed against the docks and got a fishing hook stuck in it.
I want to purchase 15 feet of Volara type 2A, 60 inch wide foam.I need to lift it myself.How much will it weigh?
2A Volara has a 2LB density.The foam type will weigh between 3 and 4 pounds.
I weigh 220 and am 64 years old.I need a firm mattress.The old one was too hard for my family.I want a double size mattress, but I don't want it to be hard.Just firm.Which one would you suggest?Thanks.