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Expanded polypropylene...
...Bead foams, such as Expanded Polyproplene (EPP) are plastic pellets expanded in a special processing step prior to moulding. These expanded plastic foam beads are injected into a custom designed steamchest mould, where individual beads are fused together under steam heat and pressure. When released from the mould, the solid moulded object may have intricate curves, tight corners, shapes and other features and other features to serve a specific design application. An intriguing thing about this type of unique material is how many applications creative design engineers find to employ them. Engineers frequently find that EPP allows replacement of materials such as metals, wood or other plastics. As parts or components in OEM products, EPP can improve product performance, consolidate parts, reduce weight, benefit the environment, and help reduce labour, among other advantages. Today, various combinations of unique EPP material properties help solve product design problems for a range of applications in different markets. Some of the mechanical benefits of the products are: • EPP and Purous EPP are recyclable, environmentally-sound materials • EPP readely absorbs energy, one reason it is used extensively as a key component of energy management systems in automotive bumpers and other applications. • EPP resists repeated blows by returning to its original shape after absorbing impact energy. • EPP can be made remarkably lightweight, which can be an added benefit. For example, weight savings in automotive applications contribute to overall fuel economy. • Not only can EPP serve as a cushioning and dampening material, it can provide load - bearing capabilities in certain applications. • One or more portions of an EPP component can be made denser than another portion within that same component. • Because of its closed-cell foam structure, EPP has thermal properties that can be an advantage in some applications. • EPP is chemical inert, and is functionally unaffected by exposure to water, most oils and chemicals. • There are formulations of EPP that are resistant to UV exposure, physical abuse, temperature extremes (from freezing to 1300C), abrasion, and other environmental stresses. • As a close-cell foam, EPP provides excellent long term buoyancy, and performance is virtually unaffected when exposed to salt water. • EPP has "memory", that is, it bends yet returns to its original shape. • Porous EPP insulates sound very effectively, in specific frequency ranges. It May also be used in combination with other materials.