Cleanroom Insulation Performance of Nitrogen Expanded Low Density Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Foams

Zotefoams plc is a world leading manufacturer of low density, closed-cell, crosslinked block foams and is recognised globally for producing the highest performance polyolefin foams. In recent years the company has developed a new generation of low density foams based on materials where foaming has traditionally been an insurmountable technical challenge or other limitations have existed to the reduction in density possible. One of these new commercially available foam products, sold under the trademark ZOTEK ^® F, is based on the fluoropolymer Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF). The properties of the products, not surprisingly, reflect the general properties of the fluoropolymer family however as cellular materials the combination of material attributes is unsurpassed in the industry. This paper will describe these novel foam products covering the key aspects of the current commercial grades of ZOTEK ^® F and the technology used to manufacture them. The paper will then focus on a specific application area in cleanroom insulation, where the product performance will be reviewed against the combination of technically challenging requirements such as low flammability, low smoke generation, low thermal conductivity, low moisture absorption, chemical inertness and resistance to fungal growth.