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low density closed cell foam to serve as lids for containers at 100C?

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agilipev27

Electrical
Jun 6, 2019
3
Have prototyped a container with a lightweight closed cell lid (that lifts automatically). Used polyethylene packing foam 15mm thick. Works quite well but now would like to heat the metal container and its contents to 100C which is perhaps beyond the limit of that material.

Are there specially formulated polyethylene foams that might do the job?
Searching online have the impression that foams designed to resist heat tend to be very high density. Would like to avoid that here because the lid is supposed to be lightweight and besides the temperature is "only" 100C. Any suggestions what materials to try?
 
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Polypropylene foam should be ok up to about 105°C. (If you can get it?)
Otherwise EPDM which us more $$ than PE.

Cheers
Harry

www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

Politicians like to panic, they need activity. It is their substitute for achievement.
 
There are many foams that are higher temp. than polyethylene. The higher density foams are for structural applications. I suggest you look at polyisocyanurate, which is the standard for higher temp foam insulation. You can get this as insulation board at the hardware store. It is off-white, yellow/brown in color. It is not soft like polyethylene.
 
What Harry said. EPDM assumes your container has water-based stuff in it, not petroleum products. Some types (generally stiffer ones) of urethane foams can hold up to that temperature, but not so much steam. Nylon foams might work, as might silicone.
 
Thanks a lot everyone. Now have a lot of leads to follow up!

Indeed water-based stuff in containers: hence 100C temperature limit. There'll be steam.
 
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