Prediction of Cushion Curves for Closed Cell Polyethylene-Based Foams. Part I. Modelling

Abstract

The possibility of prediction of the cushioning performance of closed cell foams under compressive impacts has been analyzed, using simple theoretical models. Several corrections have been introduced into the models previously proposed by Burgess. These corrections take into account the variation of gas volume in the foam with density, they incorporate the effect of the falling weight into the calculations, and finally they consider the base polymer effect. Even though the predictability of the model is not complete it provides a useful tool from the practical viewpoint.