Budnick Converting ®
Open Cell versus Closed Cell Foam Tapes
What is the difference between open cell foam tapes and closed cell foam tapes?
Gary Smith of Budnick Converting, Inc. took the time out to offer a basic breakdown of the two types of foams.
"Open cell foams have an open cell structure that allows particulate, air, water, etc. to pass through from one cell to another. Whereas, closed cell foams have encapsulated or closed cell structures that prevent passage from one cell to the next.
Open cell foams are typically used to separate component panels where material separation is needed to prevent vibration, provide a thermal barrier and protect against particulate contamination, but a degree of airflow is still needed. An example of this might be in electronic components where air flow is needed to keep components cool.
Closed cell foams are typically used as gasketing materials where the application requires that air, moisture and other particulate not pass through the gasket. Typically, compressing the gasket material 25-30% with constant pressure prevents particulate or moisture from flanking around the gasket.
Micro cellular products like some polyurethane materials now offer a hybrid between the open and closed cell structures."
Gary Smith of Budnick Converting, Inc. took the time out to offer a basic breakdown of the two types of foams.
"Open cell foams have an open cell structure that allows particulate, air, water, etc. to pass through from one cell to another. Whereas, closed cell foams have encapsulated or closed cell structures that prevent passage from one cell to the next.
Open cell foams are typically used to separate component panels where material separation is needed to prevent vibration, provide a thermal barrier and protect against particulate contamination, but a degree of airflow is still needed. An example of this might be in electronic components where air flow is needed to keep components cool.
Closed cell foams are typically used as gasketing materials where the application requires that air, moisture and other particulate not pass through the gasket. Typically, compressing the gasket material 25-30% with constant pressure prevents particulate or moisture from flanking around the gasket.
Micro cellular products like some polyurethane materials now offer a hybrid between the open and closed cell structures."