Difference Between Closed Cell And Open Cell Nitrile Rubber Insulation

Closed cell foam is essentially incompressible once cured.

Difference between closed cell and open cell nitrile rubber insulation. Aerofoam nbr flexible elastomeric rubber insulation rolls and sheets are closed cell foam structures with a non porous composition that offers high thermal efficiency and protection from imminent condensation problems and helps as sound absorber. In the trades it is known as medium density or two pound foam. It is the more common of the two types of polyurethane spray foams. Open cell foams are in general lighter in weight and less dense compared with closed cell foams.

Because the cells are closed and have their own cell walls they are more rigid and trap a large amount of air. This type of foam may also be made by incorporating gas forming materials into the compound. Closed cell foam is made up of cells that are as the name suggests completely closed. Ultimately this is why closed cell foams are stronger and denser allowing them to carry heavier loads.

This makes the foam a softer more flexable material. It is important to be aware of the difference between open cell vs closed celled spray foam insulation cost uk. Open cell and closed cell foam have indeed some common features such as shock absorption thermal insulation and noise deadening etc. Open cell foam is full of cells that aren t completely encapsulated.

Closed cell polyurethane foams have r values around 6 0 7 14 in. Closed cell foam is usually made by subjecting a rubber compound to a gas such as nitrogen under high pressure. Depending on the requirements of the market this product can be coated with different types of foils and have a factory applied self adhesive. This agent gives off a gas which expands the rubber during vulcanization.

This makes for more sturdy products that serve as great insulation. Foam is usually classified as open cell when more than half of its cells are open. Open cell foam is a rubber like product made by incorporating an inflating agent such as sodium bicarbonate into the rubber compound. Open cell foam is made of irregularly shaped cells that are linked together.

Importance of knowing the difference between open cell vs closed cell spray foam insulation. In other words the cells are deliberatly left open. Closed cell foam is defined as a cell totally enclosed by its walls and hence not interconnecting with other cells. If an installer was to install the incorrect cell type foam it could cause the insulation to work ineffectively.

Closed cell foam insulation is denser than open cell foam which breathes. That s because the cell formation within the material is broken i e the netting is open and not filled with inflated balloons. Because the cell walls are broken the foam is softer. While a closed cell foam contains more than 90 closed cells for open cell foam of which there is as yet no official definition the figure is usually below 20 although it may have higher proportions.

Open cell foams typically weigh about 0 5 lbs per cubic foot while closed cell foams are about 3 lbs per cubic foot.