Foam in consumer products

The current polymer foam market is dominated by gas imbibed polystyrene, polyolefins and polyurethanes used in consumer products, packagings and construction markets. However, there is a growing market for high performance foam products. Insulation materials for aerospace, transportation and some construction industries are required to have higher temperature performance and non-flammability. In this respect polyimides are naturally the material of choice. 

Gaylor MO, Harvey E, Hale RC. House crickets can accumulate polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) directly from polyurethane foam common in consumer products. Chemosphere 2012 86 500-505. 

Ammonia is used in the fibers and plastic industry as the source of nitrogen for the production of caprolactam, the monomer for nylon 6. Oxidation of propylene with ammonia gives acrylonitrile (qv), used for the manufacture of acryHc fibers, resins, and elastomers. Hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA), produced from ammonia and formaldehyde, is used in the manufacture of phenoHc thermosetting resins (see Phenolic resins). Toluene 2,4-cHisocyanate (TDI), employed in the production of polyurethane foam, indirectly consumes ammonia because nitric acid is a raw material in the TDI manufacturing process (see Amines Isocyanates). Urea, which is produced from ammonia, is used in the manufacture of urea—formaldehyde synthetic resins (see Amino resins). Melamine is produced by polymerization of dicyanodiamine and high pressure, high temperature pyrolysis of urea, both in the presence of ammonia (see Cyanamides). 

The reverse occurs in the production of foams and consumer items. These plants are usually constructed close to the prospective markets. Insulating materials are often so light that the cost of shipping per ton is very high. Only a small amount of mass can be loaded in a boxcar or truck. The density of polystyrene is 2.4 lb/ft3 (38.5kg/m3). It is made from styrene, which has a density of 56.3 lb/ft3 (902 kg/m3). The foam product occupies 23 times as much space as the styrene, and the polystyrene would cost between 10 and 20 times as much to ship. 

BFRs are used in a wide range of consumer products electronic components, textiles, foam in upholstery, carpets and building materials - all uses where the risk of fire necessitates caution. The increase in the use of plastics and flammable synthetic materials has contributed to the rise in the use of flame retardants. 

Other than tire use, there are few other significantly large application areas for natural mbber that can be identified, as indicated in Table 10. The use of natural mbber in latex products covers items such as gloves, condoms, balloons, catheters and other dipped goods, latex thread, foam and carpet backing, and rubberized coir and hair. In total, latex goods consume about 11% of world mbber production. Thereafter, there are four categories footwear,... 

PBBs and PBDEs are chemicals that are added to plastics used in a variety of consumer products, such as computer monitors, televisions, textiles, and plastic foams, to make them difficult to bum. Because they are mixed into plastics rather than binding to them, they are able to leave the plastic and find their way into the environment. Commercial production of PBBs and PBDEs began in... 

Ariff and Webb studied production of glucoamylase using freely suspended cells of Aspergillus awamori in batch and continuous fermentations. Glucoamylase yields based on glucose consumed were 900 and 1080 U/g for batch and continuous fermentations, respectively. The immobilization of viable cells was achieved by adsorption to cubes of reticulated polyurethane foam. In comp uison with freely suspended cell fermentations, neither batch nor continuous fermentations of immobilized cells improved glucoamylase production significantly in tenns of yield or productivity. 

Dichloromethane is used principally as a solvent, in paint removers, degreasers and aerosol products, and in the manufacture of foam polymers. Widespread exposure occurs during the production and industrial use of dichloromethane and during the use of a variety of consumer products containing dichloromethane. Substantial losses to the environment lead to ubiquitous low-level exposures from ambient air and water. 

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