“What happens when foam materials burn?” This is the latest question in our FAQ series.
First, never burn any material in an enclosed space. The common product of combustion is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is produced when materials, whether the material is paper, cardboard, wood, or foam, are burned. Carbon monoxide is deadly in an enclosed space.
Plymouth Foam products made with Airpop® EPS and Airehide® EPP will burn when exposed to flame. In every application, whether you use foam materials for cushioning, noise, vibration, bracing, or insulating, never expose the foam material to open flame. Foam will ignite and burn.
Airpop® EPS and Airehide® EPP should be recycled, not burned. Both will melt at high temperatures making them great candidates for recycling. EPS is 98% air and will emit carbon monoxide, monoxide, mono-styrene, hydrogen bromide and other aromatic compounds when burned according to the EPS Industry Alliance. Aromatic compounds are similar to those found in cigarette smoke. Recycling avoids the emission of these gases. Let’s recycle!
Airehide® EPP is available with flame retardant properties that meet standards in the building industry, the motor vehicle industry, and UL (formerly known as Underwriters Labs). Airehide® EPP meets ASTM standard E-84 tests for flame spread and smoke development, UL thermoplastics testing, and the Federal Motor Carrier Vehicle Safety Standard 302 regarding the flammability of interior materials.
Recycle, don’t burn. Airpop® EPS and Airehide® EPP melt at high temperatures and can be recycled multiple times. Airehide® EPP is offered with flame retardant properties for applications in the appliance, motor vehicle, and building industries. Plymouth Foam continues to be your source for innovation and collaboration.
We love it when you ask us these questions. Please continue to ask more or reach out to our team directly: sales@plymouthfoam.com.
As an industry leader, we feel it is important to share our expertise and continue to educate and inform others of Plymouth Foam’s materials’ capabilities and industry trends.