Reticulated polyurethane foam

The new generation of materials has added safety, performance, reliability, and value to a number of automotive applications.

From bumper to bumper, new technology is adding convenience, performance, and sales appeal to vehicles of all kinds. While this revolution is happening, an evolutionary process is also at work-particularly with regard to new materials being introduced to enhance safety, add performance, improve aesthetics, and increase reliability and value. As more demands are placed upon manufacturers from consumers, regulators, and competitors, many new materials (or new uses for old materials) are being employed to accommodate those demands.

One unique class of materials-specialty flexible polyurethane foams-is hardly ever seen, yet is being called on more and more in the automotive industry to meet a variety of new customer demands. Flexible polyurethane foams are produced in many forms and serve many functions. In general they can be classified into two distinct groups: reticulated and nonreticulated.