THE PRODUCTION OF FOAM USING ELASTIC SUPPORT

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Foam can be defined as any of various light, porous spongy materials usually the solidified foam of a liquid full of a gas bubbles, used as a building materials or for thermal insulation or shock absorption as in packaging, Delebecq, E. (2013). Foam may be produced especially on the surface of a liquid, by agitation or by a chemical reaction, such as fermentation. In most foam, the volume of a gas is large, with thin films of liquid or solid separating the regions of gas, Delebecq, E. (2013). An important division of solid foams is divided into two part closed-cell and open-cells foam. In a closed-cell foams, the gas forms discrete pockets, each completely surrounded by the solid material. In an open-cell foam the gas pockets connect with each other. A bath sponge is an example of an open –cell form: water can easily flow through the entire structure, displacing the air. A company mat is an example of a closed cell foam: the gas pockets are sealed up water. Elastic support talks about the types of foam that uses an object to support in the production of foam, base on this research report we will be making use of an innerspring as a support. In other words it means that spring is used inside the foam which is called coil.

Polystyrene is a petroleum-based plastic made from the styrene monomer, Helou, M (2011). Most people know it under the name Styrofoam, which is actually the trade name of a polystyrene foam product used for housing insulation. Polystyrene is a light-weight material, about 95% air, with very good insulation properties and is used in all types of products from cups that keep your beverages hot or cold to packaging material that keep your computers safe during shipping. The biggest environmental health concern associated with polystyrene is the danger associated with Styrene, the basic building block of polystyrene Helou, M (2011). Styrene is used extensively in the manufacture of foam, plastics, rubber, and resins. About 90,000 workers, including those who make boats, tubs and showers, are potentially exposed to styrene, Helou, M (2011). Acute health effects are generally irritation of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal effects. Chronic exposure affects the central nervous system showing symptoms such as depression, headache, fatigue, and weakness, and can cause minor effects on kidney function and blood, Diakoumakos, C.D. (2004). Styrene is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the EPA and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). A voluntary compliance program has been adopted by industries using styrene. The US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration unsuccessfully (a federal court overturned the ruling in 1992) tried to limit the amount of worker exposure to styrene to 50 parts per million (ppm). According to the Styrene Information and Research Center (SIRC), they still encourage their member companies to comply with the 50 ppm exposure limit. This program would reduce styrene exposures to a 50 ppm TWA with a 100 ppm (15 minute) ceiling.-OSHA (US Dept of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration), Diakoumakos, C.D. (2004).

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