polüetüleenivahud

Polüetüleenivahud (polyethylene foam) are lightweight, closed‑cell polymer materials made from polyethylene. They are produced through a foaming process that incorporates gas—usually CO₂ or N₂—into molten polyethylene, followed by extrusion, expansion, and cooling. The resulting structure consists of a matrix of polyethylene with uniformly distributed cells that range from 1 mm to several millimetres in diameter, depending on the manufacturing parameters.

These foams are widely used in packaging, especially as cushioning material for electronics, sporting equipment and automotive parts. Their excellent impact absorption, shock‑resistance and resistance to vibration make them suitable for protective cases, under‑boots, and sports equipment liners. Beyond packaging, polüetüleenivahud are employed in construction as insulation panels for walls and roofs, in furniture and bedding as cushioning, as well as in industrial applications such as vibration dampening and acoustic panels. Their resistance to moisture, chemicals and oils also makes them popular in chemical process equipment and marine environments.

In terms of industry, polyethylene foam is manufactured by melt‑blowing and extrusion extrusion processes. Manufacturing steps include mixing raw polyethylene with blowing agents, extrusion through a die, and expansion in a cooling chamber. The material can be recycled, but its closed‑cell architecture presents challenges for full recovery, and therefore most end‑use products are disposed of as general polymer waste unless deposited in dedicated recycling streams.

Environmental considerations highlight that while polyethylene itself is non‑biodegradable, some polymer foams can fragment into microplastics after long-term exposure to UV and mechanical stress. The use of biodegradable polyethylene variants and advances in foam recycling technologies are being explored to reduce the ecological footprint of polüetüleenivahud.