Open Cell Sponge, Foam, Foam Rubber Materials

Wide Variety of Polyurethane, PVC, Polyethylene, Neoprene, other Foam, Open-Cell Sponge, and Foam Rubber Products

Most available in full or partial rolls or sheets, or slit, sheared or blanked to order, as well as die cut or otherwise fabricated to a custom shape.

MI carries a wide array of foam rubber and open cell sponge rubber materials that are well suited for most cushioning, filter, gasket/sealing, and other applications calling for very soft, very resilient material.  Open cell materials are, as the name suggests, plastic or rubber polymers manufactured to various levels of porosity.   Most are variations of solid plastic or rubber compounds formed through various gassing processes, which effectively does to the materials what yeast or baking soda does in baking by causing air or gas pockets to form within the otherwise solid, non-porous materials, usually using processes involving heat and chemical additives.

In the case of plastics, such processes can give them rubber-like properties as foams, while elastomers are transformed into more pliable sponge.   It is on this basis, the base compound, that we distinguish between 'foams' (plastic-based) and 'sponges' (elastomer-based).  Closed-cell sponge rubber materials (e.g. weather stripping) are more common than open-cell, the difference being in the structure of the porosity.  Closed-cell materials, as the name implies, contain tiny sealed pockets of air within the structure, while open cell sponges and foams have a spider-web form throughout that isn't dependent upon air pockets for resiliency. 

Because of this, open-cell materials tend to resist compression sets and are, therefore, used in things like mattresses, pillows, cushions, lid gaskets and seals, as well as air filters.  They are also generally more prone to absorb moisture, which limits their suitability for many gasket and sealing applications.  Some open cell products are available that are made with very small pores in order to form an effective seal under compression similar to closed-cell sponges. 

More information on our open cell foam and sponge rubber materials will be added later, but our online current stock and prices are updated daily, and our technical sales staff will be happy to assist you in any way possible.

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Metro Industries, Inc. 4018 E. 137th Terrace  Grandview, Missouri  64030 (USA) Centrally located in the Greater Kansas City area . © All materials copyright  Metro Industries, Inc., 1967-2005      Last modified: January 17, 2010 For Large Orders, Custom Quotes, Company Info, Technical Assistance: Email: sales@metrogasket.com Phone: 800-545-8578/ 816-763-7277 x302 Fax: 816-763-0476 Attn: Sales For Existing Orders or Standard/Semi-Standard Product Inquiries (O-Rings, Flange Gaskets, Rubber Washers, Sponge Stripping, Sheet Rubber, etc.): Email: custserv@metrogasket.com Phone: 800-545-8578 / 816-763-7277 x350 Fax: 816-763-0476 Attn: Customer Service

Metro Industries proudly operates under an ISO 9001:2008 Quality System (click to view certificate)