Honeycomb polymers - Presentation and properties

Honeycomb materials are the result of the controlled introduction of a certain proportion of gas-filled cavities into a polymer matrix skeleton, with the aim of :

• increase flexibility: first latex foams for upholstery;

• improve thermal or acoustic insulation: foams for the building industry;

• make the material cushioning: packaging foams ;

• lighten the material while retaining its structural properties.

Virtually all polymers are used in honeycomb form. Some, such as polyurethanes, are obtained using virtually all current techniques, cover very wide apparent density ranges, have very different morphologies and structures, are offered with moduli ranging from high flexibility to rigidity, and cover the majority of known applications.

For insulation alone, the global market is worth billions of dollars.

In the first article, honeycomb polymers will be presented and their properties studied.

The monographs and processing of honeycomb materials are the subject of a second article.

Finally, readers will find out more about the markets and standardization of these polymers in the "Further information" section.