Types of Sponges and uses

Sponge varieties, the main ingredient of which is Latex, meet the needs in many sectors today. Scientists wanted to find a solution to this problem in 1937, as the market needed a sponge in the past and the sponges on earth were insufficient. As a result of the researches and examinations, they tried to obtain a sponge by forming a raw material. These trials with polyurethane raw material have been successful. If the polyurethane formation is to be looked at from a technical point of view, the formation process took place as a result of the reaction of the polyisocyanate and polyol derivative with the catalyst. Flexible polyurethane spongeamong the features of;

• Having open cells
• Presence of air permeability
• Having an elastic structure, 
• They are lightweight.

Since flexible polyurethane sponges have these features, they are mostly used in the furniture and bed sector. Also, the cost is lower. So, what are the types of sponges? Sponges are examined in a total of 3 groups.

• Hard Group
• Soft group 
• HR group

Sponge production in the operations, the sponges belonging to the hard group are expressed with DNS. DNS is the abbreviation for density. Density is a unit of density. It reports the degree of density of the sponge and according to these density values, the sponges are gathered in the hard group. It is divided into 7 branches. These are;

• 15 DNS 
• 19 DNS
• 22 DNS
• 26 DNS
• 28 DNS 
• 32 DNS
• 45 HLB 

In the Soft group, there are Flex 28, Flex 30, Feather and finally Hyper Soft. Members in the HR group are as follows.

• 25 hours 
• 30 hours
• 35 hours
• 40 hours
• 35 cm hours

HR is related to the force of compression and release. Now let’s take a look at the sponge cut shapes. Sponges are cut in three ways according to the usage area. 

• CNC cutting
• Roll Sponge
• Plate cutting

In CNC cutting, machines cut under computer control. Roll Sponge its cutting is cut with the specified features with special machines. Likewise, plate-cut sponges are measured and cut with special machines.

Sponge Usage Area

We said that sponges are divided into three groups. So, what are the uses of these sponges? Sponge manufacturing the furniture sector is among the usage areas of hard group sponges in its operations. Sponges belonging to this group are used in the back and font sections of the furniture. The reason for this is that the density of the sponges is high. Sponges, which are high in density, create more durable and useful areas. Soft group sponges, which are our second group among sponges, are used in back and font parts to ensure the comfort of seating groups due to their lower density and flexible and soft. Finally, our sponges in the HR group are quite comfortable. Although it has high flexibility, the coefficient of tensile and compression is equal. It is more orthopedic and durable than other sponges. Again, these sponges are used on the back and font parts of the seating groups.

Sponge Selection and Width of Application Areas

Sponge selection should be preferred according to the usage area. In which area and for what it will be used, the appropriate sponge should be determined from among these groups. The specified sponge should be obtained by cutting in the desired number of required sizes, in the desired thickness and in the desired colours. Sponges are preferred in the construction sector, in the furniture sector, in the automotive sector and in the packaging sector. The preferred sponge in the construction sector is generally used for isolation purposes. The preferred sponge in the automotive sector is used because of its flame retardant feature. The sponge group, which is used in the furniture industry, is frequently used in bed manufacturing due to its flexibility and comfort. Sponges, which are among the sponges, are also used in packaging manufacturing. Sponges are used by choosing sponges according to the necessary features for packaging. Thanks to the width of the areas of use, it provides many conveniences in life.