23. Structural Foams – Materials with Millistructure

Parts made from thermoplastic rigid foams, also called structural foams, have complex morphologies consisting of thin “solid” outer skins surrounding porous, or cellular, inner cores. Thismorphology results in light structural components having relatively high strength-to-weight ratios. The cellular structure of the core provides additional thermal and acoustic insulation. Typical, diverse applications of structural foams include enclosures for audio speakers, automobile load floors and glove box doors, battery trays, material handling pallets, playground slides, refuse bins, satellite dishes, and water skis.