URETHANE INDUSTRY GLOSSARY - B

A chair cushion that forms the back of the unit and is characterized by being leaned on rather than sat on. Generally a lower density, softer foam is used for a Back Cushion than is used for a 'seat cushion'.

The higher upstream pressure developed by a restrictive valve or regulator.

One of several test methods for comparing various flexible foam samples for resilience (see Resilience Value). A steel ball of specified mass is dropped from a fixed height onto a foam sample, and the height of the rebound of the ball is recorded. The rebound height is divided by the original height to give a percentage. The method is a relative test rather than absolute, since the density of the foam has a strong influence on the results. The Test Method is described in ASTM D 1564-63T.

A term used to describe a clear or pigmented coating sprayed into a mold prior to foaming, which adheres to the foam and provides a base for further finishing steps. Usually used for rigid foam moldings finished to resemble wood.

A term which describes a type of mixer in which the entire amount of the formula required is poured or pumped into the mixing head and mixed for a definite period of time with multiple recirculation of the material through the mixing zone. The entire amount of the material is poured out of the mixing head at the conclusion of the mixing time period.

The process of simultaneously mixing the entire amount of the formula required in one container.

A term normally used to describe the polyol or other premix tanks used in the flexible foam slab process. In this process some of the ingredients required are premixed in a Batch Tank in order to cut down on the number of components required to be metered into the final mixer or to eliminate the problems involved with metering very tiny amounts of materials into a continuously mixed stream. Also called 'machine tanks' to differentiate them from 'in-plant storage tanks'.

A type of conveyor in which the conveying is performed by means of the movement of the top surface of the structure as a continuous ribbon or belt. The belt surfaces normally used in the urethane foam industry are metal, cloth or rubber. The commonest construction used in the flexible foam slab process is probably that of the interlocked metal belt.

A term which refers to the type heating device that is wrapped around a chemical tank to provide heat by conduction through the tank walls. Some of these heaters are equipped with variable thermostats; some are not. They are often used to supplement the in-line heaters when the chemical to be pumped has a high viscosity, creating a cavitation problem if not warmed.

A term used to describe a cut-off segment of the continuously produced loaf of flexible or rigid foam being made by the slab' technique. In some cases this Block would have top, bottom, and side skins intact and have cut surfaces only on the ends. In other cases the top, bottom and side skins may be removed by in-line trimmers leaving a smooth rectangular Block.

The chemical ingredient in the formulation that provides the gas creating the expansion of the foam. This can be either a low boiling chemical that vaporizes from the heat of the reaction such as fluorocarbon 11 or a chemical such as water that reacts with the isocyanate material to produce carbon dioxide. The low boiling chemical type formulation is usually referred to as 'solvent blown foam', while the other type is commonly referred to as 'water blown foam'. blowing reaction-one of the several chemical reactions occurring in the final mixture while it is foaming. It is most often used to refer to the chemical reaction resulting in the release of carbon dioxide.

See elastomer.

Cavities that occur in the interior of the continuous foam slab as it is produced. Some of these cavities reach all the way to the top surface of the Block and can be seen ejecting little clouds of vapor just past the peak rise point. See flaps.

A standard of measurement in the foam and construction industry which refers to a square foot of material one inch in thickness. See super foot.

A descriptive term applied to foam that feels stiff and not flexible and yet is still in the flexible category. A typical foam of this type would require a small amount of force to cause an initial deflection in the foam and very little more force to deflect it to 50% or more of its thickness, and then a straight line increase in force is required for further deflection. See IFD (65/25) Index and plateau.

Sometimes used to describe the flat sheets of rigid or flexible foam cut from Blocks of foam. However, recently the term has been specifically applied to the product of a Continuous Lamination Foaming Line on which the foam is sandwiched between two skins.

Is a phenomenon that occurs when the gas being generated is not trapped in the liquid resin to make foam. It occurs usually if the surface active agents have been omitted or are defective, or if gelation is not occurring rapidly enough in relation to the speed of the blowing reaction.

A specially shaped Back Cushion, usually for Danish modern style couches or divans. The normal shape is a truncated wedge, although round, rectangular, and triangular are also available. The term is also used to describe a cylindrical, stiff pillow used for decorative purposes on a bed.

A synonym for gluing, adhering, laminating or rebonding. See rebonding.

A slang term referring to the pattern of high density streaks or flow lines that occur on the bottom of a foam Block when undercutting of the rising foam front occurs, or when shearing movements occur in the rising foam mass.

A mechanical device for drilling a long straight hole through a Block of foam in order to insert the mandrel used in 'log peeling''.

A term used in slightly different ways by many people but ordinarily refers to the presence of a scattering of cells 2 to 4 times larger than the uniform background cell diameter. If a thin section of the foam were cut from the Block, it would look as if a shotgun had blasted it with buckshot.

A catalyst, usually a very alkaline Amine, that has been partially or wholly neutralized with acid so that the reaction would not be affected by the extreme alkalinity of the catalyst. The general effect of the buffering is to slow the rate of the polymerization reaction.

Chemicals added to the formula that decrease the sensitivity of the formula to slight changes in the alkalinity or acidity of any of the components . They are also known as buffering agents.

A material or chemical added to another chemical that increases the quantity of the mixture required without changing the chemical reactivity of the total. The term is not only used to describe solid or powdered Additives, but is also used to refer to liquid Additives. An example is the bulking or dilution of the tin catalyst that is often used to gain greater control over the metering of very small quantities. In this case the tin catalyst is often diluted or bulked-up with a portion of the polyol. Barium sulfate is a solid bulking agent often added to the polyol to increase the density of the final foam product.

A series of tanks large enough in capacity that bulk shipments of one or more of the ingredients used in the formulation can be unloaded and stored directly on the premises. Also called 'in plant storage'.

Another synonym for Block.

A term used to describe what happens when a puff of gas is released during the formation of blows.