Open Cell vs Closed Cell Foam
Understanding the Differences
When looking for a foam product, choosing the cell type best suited for your application is your first step. There are two types to choose from: open cell or closed cell foam. But what are the differences between the two? Which cell type works better in different situations? This guide will help give you an idea of what type of materials you are looking for.
Open Cell Foam
Open cell foam is a type of foam that is made up of flexible cells. These cells are connected to each other and are open to the surrounding environment. The open cell foam has almost a mesh like structure and is mostly empty space. This structure makes the foam breathable allowing air and moisture to pass through. It is also more resistant to mold and mildew and can be easily cut or shaped to fit any space. Open cell foam is generally more affordable than other types of foam, making it a great choice for projects on a budget.
Common Types of Open Cell Foams
Polyester – It resists water and moisture, has very good air permeability, and remains flexible over a long period of demanding usage. Although polyester behaves similarly to polyether foams, polyester is slightly more rigid. It is a popular choice for gasketing and vibration / noise dampening for a variety of different industries.
Polyether – It resists water and moisture, has very good air permeability, and remains flexible over a long period of demanding usage. Although polyether behaves similarly to polyester foams, polyether is slightly less rigid. It is a popular choice for gasketing and vibration / noise dampening for a variety of different industries.
Sponge Rubber – It has high compression with a fast recovery, extremely durable with shock absorption, and has non-skid properties. It is made from natural rubber. It is used in a variety of industries, including automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.
Urethane – Although an open cell foam, when compressed it acts more like a closed cell foam. It is highly resistant to weather extremes, fungi, and oxidation. It is a popular choice for gasketing, thermal shielding, vibration / noise dampening and for a variety of industrial industries.
Open Cell Products
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Polyester Foam Tape – Ultra Soft – P8500
Polyester - Polyurethane Foam Tape. Open cell ultra soft, charcoal gray, with a coarse open surface. It is also known…
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Polyether Foam Tape – Ultra Soft – P8500E
Polyether - Polyurethane Foam Tape. Open cell ultra soft, gray, with a smooth open surface. It is also known as…
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Polyester Foam – 4 lb. – P8500-4lb
This is the special denser (4lb.) version of our P8500 (2lb.) Series. Polyester - Polyurethane Foam Tape - 4 lb.…
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Sponge Rubber Tape – Medium – P8000
Sponge Rubber Foam Tape. Open cell medium, black, with a crisscross surface. Very durable, non-slip, cushioning, textured, rubber foam with…
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Urethane Foam Tape – soft – U6100 – Poron
Urethane Foam Tape. Open cell soft, black, with a smooth skin surface. Durable foam with an industry leading adhesive bond.…
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Urethane Foam Tape – firm – U6200
Urethane Double Sided Foam Tape. Closed cell firm, black, with a smooth skin surface. High strength and performance foam with…
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Urethane Foam Tape with Mylar Film- soft – U6300 – Poron
Urethane Foam Tape. Open cell soft, black, with a smooth skin surface. Durable foam with an industry leading adhesive bond.…
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Urethane Foam Tape – firm – U6500
Urethane Foam Tape. Open cell firm, black, with a smooth skin surface. Extremely durable foam with an industry leading adhesive…
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Urethane Foam Tape – Extra Firm – UR1700
Urethane Foam Tape. Closed cell high density, extra firm, black, with a smooth skin surface. Extremely durable high-density foam with…
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Urethane Foam Tape – medium – SG6400
Urethane Double Sided Foam Tape. Open cell medium, black, with a smooth skin surface. High performance double sided foam with…
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Urethane Foam Tape – medium – SG6500
Urethane Foam Tape. Open cell medium, black, with a smooth skin surface. High performance foam with an industry leading adhesive…
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Urethane Foam Tape – firm – U6000 – DISCONTINUED
The U6000 Series is in process of being discontinued. Orders will be fulfilled until inventory is depleted. Alternative is the…
Closed Cell Foam
Closed cell foam is a type of foam that is made up of cells that are completely sealed off and not connected to each other. This means that no air or water can pass through the foam, making it an excellent choice for waterproofing and insulation. Closed cell foam is also more durable and resistant to abrasion than open cell foam, making it a great choice for high-impact applications. Closed cell foam is also more expensive than open cell foam, but the extra cost is often worth the added durability. There are a many different types of closed cell foams, but they all typically share these qualities.
Common Types of Closed Cell Foams
Neoprene – A synthetic rubber material with excellent resistance to oil, weather, and ozone. It is flexible and has good insulation properties, making it a popular choice for a variety of applications.
EPDM – A type of synthetic rubber with excellent heat, chemical, and ozone resistance. It has variety of industrial applications and is commonly used in gaskets, seals, and other products.
Blended Neoprene/EPDM/SBR – A combination of neoprene, EPDM, and SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) materials. It has excellent resistance to weather, ozone, and oils, making it a popular choice for outdoor applications.
Polyethylene – A lightweight, chemically stable plastic foam. It is highly resistant to corrosion and is durable, making it a popular choice for a variety of industrial applications.
Silicone – A flexible, temperature-resistant material. It is ideal for sealing and protecting outdoor enclosures such as HID lighting fixtures, electronic cabinets, and HVAC units from environmental damage. It is also recommended for isolating vibration in electronic components and vehicles.
Vinyl Nitrile – A synthetic rubber material with excellent resistance to moisture, fire, and chemicals. It is widely utilized for roof curb sealing, pipe wrapping, filter gasketing, and a variety of other demanding HVAC applications.
PVC Vinyl – A flexible, synthetic material that is resistant to water and moisture, making it a popular choice for a variety of applications including HVAC, transportation, marine, construction, and automobile industries.
Vinyl Neoprene – A resilient and durable material that has excellent sound and thermal insulation properties. It is often used for gaskets, weatherstripping, and other applications requiring a flexible and durable material.
Viton® – Also known as FKM, is a flourelastomer with excellent resistance to heat and chemicals, making it an ideal choice for a variety of industrial applications. It is commonly used in gaskets, seals, and other products that need to resist harsh environmental conditions.
Closed Cell Products
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Neoprene Foam Tape – Soft – NE4100
100% Neoprene Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, black, with a smooth surface. Best quality neoprene foam with an industry leading…
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Neoprene Foam Tape – Firm – NE4300
100% Neoprene Foam Tape. Closed cell firm, black, with a smooth surface. Best quality neoprene foam with an industry leading…
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Neoprene Foam Tape – Extra Firm – NE4400
Neoprene Foam Tape. Closed cell extra firm, black, with a smooth surface. Best quality extra firm neoprene foam with an…
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EPDM – Medium Foam Tape – P9100
EPDM Foam Tape. Closed cell medium, black, with a smooth surface. Great quality with excellent UV and temperature resistance foam…
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EPDM Foam Tape – Soft – P9200
EPDM Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, black, with a smooth surface. Great quality with excellent UV and temperature resistance foam…
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EPDM Foam Tape – Soft – P9300
EPDM Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, black, with a smooth surface. Great quality with excellent UV and temperature resistance foam…
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Neoprene / EPDM Blend Foam Tape – Soft/Medium – P8100UL
Neoprene / EPDM blend Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, black, with a smooth surface. Also known as Blended EPDM foam…
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Neoprene / EPDM Blend Foam Tape – Medium – P8100
Neoprene / EPDM blend Foam Tape. Closed cell medium, black, with a smooth surface. Durable industrial strength foam with an…
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Neoprene / EPDM Blend Foam Tape – Soft – P8200
Neoprene / EPDM blend Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, black, with a smooth surface. Durable industrial strength foam with an…
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Neoprene / EPDM Blend Foam Tape – Soft – P8200DC – Double Sided
Neoprene / EPDM blend Double Sided Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, black, with a smooth surface. Durable double sided PSA…
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Neoprene / EPDM Blend Foam Tape – Firm – P8300
Neoprene / EPDM blend Foam Tape. Closed cell firm, black, with a smooth surface. Firm with durable industrial strength foam…
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Polyethylene Foam Tape – Soft – PF1600
Polyethylene Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, white or black, with a smooth surface. Cross Linked PE foam with an industry…
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Polyethylene Foam Tape- Soft – P4200 – Double Sided
Polyethylene Double Sided Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, white or black, with a smooth surface. Double-sided cross-linked PE foam with…
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Polyethylene Foam Tape – Soft – P4300 – Double Sided
Polyethylene Double Sided Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, white or black, with a smooth surface. Double-sided cross-linked PE foam with…
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Silicone Foam Tape – Medium – High Temperature PSA – S600
Silicone Foam Tape. Open/Closed cell medium, black, gray, or red, with a smooth skin surface. High temperature, corrosion, flame, UV…
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Silicone Foam Tape – Medium- High Temperature PSA – S800
Silicone Foam Tape. Open/Closed cell medium, black, gray, or red, with a smooth skin surface. Special order high temperature silicone…
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Nitrile / Vinyl Blend Foam Tape – Soft – P8600
Nitrile Blend Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, black, with a smooth surface. Insulating, sound absorbing, UL, flame and smoke rated…
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PVC Foam Tape – Medium – VF1100
PVC Foam Tape. Closed cell medium, gray, with a smooth skin surface. Cushioning and gap filling gasket foam with an…
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PVC Foam Tape – Medium – VF1200
PVC Foam Tape. Closed cell medium, black, with a smooth skin surface. Cushioning and gap filling gasket foam with an…
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PVC Foam Tape – Soft- VF1300
PVC Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, gray, with a smooth skin surface. Cushioning and gap filling gasket foam with an…
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PVC Foam Tape – Soft – VF5100
PVC Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, gray, with a smooth skin surface. Reverse wound, cushioning and gap filling gasket foam…
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PVC Foam Tape – Medium- VF5300
PVC Foam Tape. Closed cell medium, gray, with a smooth skin surface. Reverse wound, cushioning and gap filling gasket foam…
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PVC Foam Tape – Firm – VF5400
PVC Foam Tape. Closed cell firm, black, with a smooth skin surface. Reverse wound, cushioning and gap filling gasket foam…
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PVC Foam Tape – Soft – VF5600
PVC Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, black, with a smooth skin surface. Reverse wound, cushioning and gap filling gasket foam…
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PVC Foam Tape – Firm – VF10100
PVC Foam Tape. Closed cell firm, white, with a smooth skin surface. Cushioning and gap filling foam with an industry…
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PVC Foam Tape – Firm – VF10200
PVC Foam Tape. Closed cell firm, black, with a smooth skin surface. Cushioning and gap filling foam with an industry…
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PVC Foam Tape – Firm – VF10300
PVC Foam Tape. Closed cell firm, gray, with a smooth skin surface. Cushioning and gap filling foam with an industry…
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PVC Foam Tape – Firm – VF20100 – Double Sided
PVC Double Sided Foam Tape. Closed cell firm, white, with a smooth skin surface. Double sided cushioning and gap filling…
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PVC Foam Tape – Firm – VF20200 – Double Sided
PVC Double Sided Foam Tape. Closed cell firm, black, with a smooth skin surface. Double sided cushioning and gap filling…
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PVC Foam Tape – Firm – VF20300 – Double Sided
PVC Double Sided Foam Tape. Closed cell firm, gray, with a smooth skin surface. Double sided cushioning and gap filling…
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Neoprene Vinyl Foam Tape – Soft – P8400
Neoprene Vinyl Foam Tape. Closed cell soft, black, with a smooth surface. Budget foam with an industry leading adhesive bond.…
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Viton Foam Tape – Medium
Viton®, Fluoroelastomer Foam Tape. Closed cell medium, black, with a smooth surface. Excellent chemical and temperature resilient foam with an…
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