Bayer flexes its polyurethane foam technology

Bayer MaterialScience flexes its innovative muscle with a new polyurethane foam technology that enables the direct production of very high air flow foams comparable to those achieved through current processes. 

Enhanced air flow and the transfer of moisture away from the body are desirable traits in a number of end-use polyurethane foam applications, such as mattresses, cosmetic pads and lawn furniture. Most high porosity foams are produced by a chemical or mechanical reticulation process that involves an extra, post-step treatment to enhance the air flow. Using the new technology, foam manufacturers can more efficiently produce a variety of foams, including conventional, viscoelastic and several specialty types like hydrophilic or semi-rigid foams for specialty applications.

This technology was recently presented at the Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) Technical Conference in Phoenix, where “New Chemical Technology for the Production of Super-High Air Flow Flexible Forms” won the PFA’s Herman Stone Technical Excellence Award. The paper was presented by Adona Marcum, Bayer technical specialist. Her co-authors were Bayer research fellow Stanley Hager and Bayer scientists and marketing representatives Micah Moore, Peter Uthe, Jack Reese, Susan McVey and Scott Skolnekovich.