What is ECF?

ECF stands for Elastomeric Component Foams. Products are all either closed cell or semi-closed cell synthetic rubber (elastomeric) products. Forms: Rolls, sheets, buns (blocks) and profiles (shapes). This division comprises of the following brands: Armacell (Monarch®) Armacell (EnsoLite®) Armacell (ArmaSport®) and Armacell (EnsoLine®). Different polymer bases used for this product include NBR/PVC (Nitrile Rubber / Polyvinylchloride), EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer rubber), Neoprene (CR – Chloroprene Rubber), ECH (Epichlorohydrin), EPDM/CR/SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) blends.

ECF division produces value-added closed cell foams and expanded rubber products for which industrial, automotive and sport/recreational uses are some of its applications. Armacell’s 50 years of foam experience enables us to design optimized cell structures and densities for specific physical properties -custom engineered to your needs.

What is PCF?

PCF stands for Polyolefin Component Foams. This division comprises of the following brands: Armacell (OleTex®) and Armacell (OleCell®). Polymers include Polyethylene (PE), EVA, and EVA/PE blends.  Forms: Rolls, buns (blocks) and profiles (shapes). 

PCF group develops custom solutions requiring the special characteristics of polyolefin combined with value- added technical properties and leading-edge Armacell expertise and customer service.

What's the difference between Rolls & Buns?

Continuous Roll products are made using long ovens at variable gauges & widths and cut to specific lengths. Bun (Block) products are made under high hydraulic pressure and have a finer / tighter cell structure than Continuous Roll products. Both buns and rolls have closed cell structure.

How can I find technical specs of a product

Armacell product data sheets are available for download on this website or contact a Technical Manager.

What's the temp range of CF products?

Temperature ranges vary depending on polymer base used in manufacturing the product. ECH (Epichlorohydrin) products have the highest resistance to temperature in the Armacell product line.  Please refer to the swatch card literature pieces or the individual data sheets to see service temperatures for different products.

Where are your products made?

Armacell Component Foams products are manufactured in 5 locations in the North America: (1) Yukon OK, (2) Conover, NC (3) Mebane, NC, (4) Spencer, WV and (5) Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

Are your products closed cell?

The majority of the Armacell Component Foam products have closed cell structure. The following 5 super soft conformable foams are semi-closed cell:  Armacell (EnsoLite®) EF0, SF0, FC0, ICF-400 & ECF-400.

Do you have any products that meet ASTM D 1056?

Yes. Most of Component Foam products can be classified with an ASTM D 1056 designation. See individual data sheets or contact a Technical Manager for additional information.

Are there any VOCs in your foam products?

As with all cellular products, some VOC’s are given off. Some of our products have been tested to specific VOC test methods. Request additional information and test reports from a Technical Manager.

Are component foam products appropriate for acoustic applications?

Yes. Armacell manufactures some semi-closed cell foams that have good acoustical / sound absorption properties. There are several products that are used for vibration isolation applications. Additionally, an acoustical barrier material is also available for Sound Transmission Loss. Request additional information from a Technical Manager.

Will you test a product to my specific test method?

Yes. Armacell has 3 fully equipped in-house laboratories. The majority of our cellular products are routinely tested to current industry standards, specifications and test method.  If you have a unique test method, please supply details to a Technical Manager for a testing capability review.

Are any of your products recyclable?

Armacell's crosslinked cellular products we manufacture can be repurposed or mechanically broken down for other uses.

Do you have any products that are suitable for shock absorption applications?

Yes. We do have a number of NBR/ PVC based products which are proven to be very effective materials in shock absorption applications where low resilience is the desired property. Please contact a Technical Manager for additional information.

Do you manufacture products which are ozone / UV resistant and suitable for outdoor applications?

Yes. 100% EPDM foams in Monarch, EnsoLite & EnsoLine product line typically have excellent resistance to outdoor weathering, UV and ozone. Please contact a Technical Manager for additional information.

I am looking for a material meeting UL 94 flame requirements. Do you have materials meeting UL requirements as well as other flame specifications? If you do, where can I locate the information?

Yes, we do have a number of products meeting UL 94 vertical and horizontal flame requirements as well as other flame specifications. For more information, please contact a Technical Manager for additional information.

Do Armacell ECF and PCF products meet REACH regulatory requirements?

Yes, please contact a Technical Manager for additional information on REACH and other regulatory requirements for restricted substances.   

Does Armacell have any products that are fungus resistant according to methods such as ASTM G21?

Yes, most of our products are tested for fungus resistance according to various methods including ASTM G21 and other procedures included in Ford specifications. Please contact a Technical Manager for additional information.

How is the hardness of the foam tested?

Hardness (durometer) for soft cellular rubber and plastic products is normally measured with a Shore OO gauge per ASTM D 2240. Shore A is typically only used for solid rubber products and very firm high density closed cell products.  

Does Armacell have any products that are specifically tested for CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) compliance for phthalates?

Yes, a number of Armacell products including ArmaSport® MLO, EnsoLite® IE2, and Monarch® 5031 have been tested to and meet the phthalate threshold requirements (<0.1%) of the CPSIA of 2008 public law 110-114. For further information, please contact a Technical Manager.

I am working on a static-electricity sensitive project where the material needs to have electrostatic dissipative (ESD) properties. Does Armacell supply such a product?

Yes, EnsoLite® AFM-ESD is ideal for such applications where it  meets ANSI recommended level of static resistance to lower the risk of ignition hazard and damage to electronic equipment. For further information, please contact a Technical Manager.

I am looking for a material with specific resistance to several chemicals. Can Armacell help me identify the right product?  

Yes, different polymer bases provide unique compatibilities with various chemicals. Please supply details regarding the concentration and nature of the chemical to a Technical Manager for product recommendation review.

I am looking for a material meeting UL 94 flame requirements. Do you have materials meeting UL requirements as well as other flame specifications? If you do, where can I locate the information?

Yes, we do have a number of products meeting UL 94 vertical and horizontal flame requirements as well as other flame specifications. For more information, please contact a Technical Manager for additional information.