Microporous Microfoam™

Porelon_Microfoam_RollMicrofoam™ is ideally suited for a variety of Applications

When you’re considering applications requiring metered fluid releases, Microfoam’s microporous polyurethane uses both capillary and centrifugal action.

Pore size, density, fluid composition and viscosity, transfer pressure and other factors are maximized to achieve ideal release rates for proper coverage, clarity and print life for each specific application. Oils (including silicones) and oil-based inks are best suited for compatibility with Microfoam’s porous materials.

Specialty foams are available for “dry” or non-inking applications such as porous filters, foam drive rollers, static dissipative rollers, and vibration and shock absorption structures.

Microfoam’s porous foams demonstrate superior durability and dimensional stability under a wide temperature range, and they provide a unique solution for many harsh or severe environments.

Applications

Microfoam’s unique chemistry allows for precise control over porosity — both pore size and pore density. This produces consistent ink/liquid delivery for applications as varied as marking on sheets of OSB board or printing rolls for desktop calculators and cash registers.

Specialty foams are available for “dry” or non-inking applications such as porous filters, foam drive rollers, static dissipative rollers, and vibration and shock absorption structures.

Ideal for printing roll applications such as:

• Calculators and Cash Registers

• Price-Marking and Label Gun

• Ribbon Re-inking

• Lumber Marking

Configurations

When considering Microfoam structures for a design or application, please remember these guidelines:

Temperature: Microfoam porous foams have been used at temperatures from 40° F to 130° F, as needed to successfully dispense the particular ink or liquid, depending on viscosity

Speeds: Primarily intended for lower and medium peripheral speeds, our rollers can be tailored, as needed, for higher-speed applications. Other considerations can include operating environment, expected print life and ink viscosity

Contact: Our rolls can be held in direct contact with type or transfer rolls by gravity, springs or adjusting screws. Microfoam microporous rolls should be “free-wheeling” — turned only by the component that is being inked. Contact force of the ink roll varies with each application and can range from 3 ounces to 2 pounds

Roll Size: Microfoam rolls have been produced in sizes from 3/8″ to 6″ in diameter. The larger the roll surface area, the longer the productive life that may be expected. Rolls formed to close tolerances stay that way — no shrinkage during use

Inks and Fluids: Inks can be formulated in virtually any color by special order. Most common ink colors are black, red, and violet. If the printed characters are likely to be exposed to direct sunlight, black is recommended because of its superior fade resistance. Our chemists have more than 30 years of experience in formulating compatible inks that are the perfect marriage of foam and application. Microfoam structures need not be restricted to use with just inks. Foams can be impregnated with other compatible fluids and can be used for controlled dispensing of lubricating oils, tracing fluids, and similar substances. Contact us and we’ll put our R&D team into action evaluating your unique fluids and making a recommendation for your application.

Hardness: Tough, porous Microfoam foams are exceptionally strong, with standard hardnesses of 35 to 70 Shore 00 durometer, and can be engineered to the special needs of each application. Microfoam structures resist structural changes as operating temperatures vary. Our extruded polyurethane polymer stands up to severe conditions and resists abrasion.

Certifications

Porelon products contain no heavy metals and are certified to be RoHS and CONEG compliant. Our products are HAPs free (Hazardous Air Pollutants) and low in VOCs. We utilize “green” materials such as soya oil and naturally-derived oleic acid wherever possible. Identity Group is REACH-registered and represented by ENVIRON as its Only Representative.