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Polyformes is one of the UKs leading buoyancy foam manufacturers, suppliers and converters. We provide high-quality buoyancy foam products and buoyancy foam materials, to a number of industries and sectors.
Whether you’re looking for buoyancy foam products manufactured in high or low volumes, our experienced and highly-skilled team will take care of the entire project from the design stage, through to manufacturing and delivery.
At Polyformes, we’re dedicated to ensuring you’re well informed about the type of foam materials we supply, including the buoyancy foam materials you’re considering using in the production of your buoyancy foam products.
Buoyancy foam has a variety of uses, and whichever use you’re considering for your product, there are a few important factors to take into consideration prior to design and manufacture, including:
• Water resistance – One of the most important factors in buoyancy foam is its resistance to hydrolysis, which simply means, how the chemical makeup or the buoyancy material reacts when in contact with water.
• Mould and mildew resistance – Another highly important factor to consider in a buoyancy material is its resistance to the growth of bacteria and mould, especially when used in buoyancy aids used in the teaching of swimming.
• Durability – Buoyancy products such as buoys, dredging floats or fenders need to be durable and able to withstand regular impact, making the foam choice extremely important.
The foams most suited to buoyancy (particularly as a foam for marine and floatation) which fulfil all the criteria for buoyancy purposes, are closed cell, polyethylene foams, including:
Plastazote LD15 – Plastazote LD15 foam is an ultra-low density foam, making it one of the lightest foams available at just 15kg/m3. With its exceptional resistance to hydrolysis and its durable, closed cell structure, Plastazote LD15 is ideal for all types of buoyancy aids and marine floatation devices, including swimming aids, buoys and rigid inflatable boats. Plastazote LD15 is also widely used in the manufacture of large, fibre reinforced plastic boats, as formers in hull stiffening ribs, stringers and fenders, due to its durability, compression strength, and ability to quickly return to its original form.
EF220 Ethafoam – Similar to Plastazote LD15, EF220 Ethafoam is a closed cell polyethylene foam known for its outstanding resistance to hydrolysis (water resistance), a key property for a foam for marine and flotation purposes. Another standout property of EF220 Ethafoam, is its ability to be cut into longer sections, due to it being manufactured in large boards. This property makes EF220 Ethafoam, one of the best materials for use as a marine foam, particularly in the manufacture of large, fibre reinforced boats, tubular hose for dredging, safety booms and bridge protectors etc.
At Polyformes, we have over 40 years’ experience in the design, manufacture and supply of high-quality buoyancy foam and buoyancy foam products for clients across various sectors and industries. If you’d like to know more or discuss your buoyancy foam project, get in touch via our contact form, email or phone.
