What is foam?

What is Foam?

When people use the term foam they are often referring to polyurethane foam or Styrofoam, or a similar manufactured product.

Foam is made by trapping gas bubbles into a solid or liquid substance. The definition of foam also includes similar substances, such as quantum foam. When people use the term foam they are often referring to polyurethane foam or Styrofoam, or a similar manufactured product.

There are a wide variety of specialty foams that have been invented since the beginning of the 20th century. Foams can be used to make excellent insulation and flotation devices because of their low density. They also make great packing materials due to their light weight and ability to compress. Fires, particularly oil fires, can be extinguished using special liquid foams.

Another definition of foam includes “bubbly liquid”, which also refers to the material produced by various manufacturing products, a substance that is usually unwanted. The chemical industry produces a large amount of unwanted foam, especially in biochemical processes. Proteins and other biological substances readily produce foam when agitated. This foam serves to block the transfer of air and prevent the proper flow of the liquid; this can pose problems by preventing microbial respiration in fermentation processes. To alleviate this problem antifoam agents are sometimes added.

Foam around the mouth of an animal can sometimes point to diseases such as rabies. We also see foam on the waves of the ocean, often referred to as sea foam. The yeast used to make bread rise produces air bubbles that can also be referred to as foam.

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Benefits of Foam Insulation

Drawbacks of Foam Insulation

Traditional Insulation Products

Understanding the R-Value

Recommended R-Values

Measuring Existing Insulation