Polyurethane (PU) is highly elastic, has a good shock absorption coefficient and offers excellent physical properties including good resistance to organic solvents and excellent thermal insulation properties. In addition, there are good sound absorption values at medium to high frequencies.
PU Packaging
Polyurethane foams are available in soft, semi-firm and strong variants. However, for packaging only soft PU foams (also known as PUR) are of interest. Soft foam is open-celled, which means: The surface of the foam is not sealed, which means that it absorbs moisture, but it is also highly permeable to air.
PU is especially recommended for light products due to the shock absorbtion and dampening properties of the foam. The soft PU foam remains flexible and permanently elastic in use, with temperature differences not playing a significant role. However, the PU foam is sensitive to light, which can lead to yellowing. In addition, the material does not completely protect against large amounts of moisture. The moisture absorption of PU depends on the molecular structure of the foam and may vary during production.
Packaging made of PU foams are resistant to various gases, they are ideal for shock, vibration and surface protection, but can also be optimally used as an inlay for transport containers. Special features (antistatic or ESD properties) extend the range of applications.
