How to Test Polyurethane Foam
Polyurethane foam is made of molecular chains bound together by urethane links. It is a number of different types of foam that can be stiff or flexible. Polyurethane foam also is not very dense and is often used in bedding and automobile applications. There may be an instance where you want to test the strength of your polyurethane foam to determine what you will be able to use it for. The best way to test your polyurethane foam is with a testing machine. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Set out the polyurethane testing machine on a flat surface. This machine is very large in size and is often times on wheels. It can be extremely hard to purchase, but if you do not have a machine like this you can go to any laboratory to find one.
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Pick up the piece of polyurethane foam that you will be testing and brush it off by hand. Verify it is not dirty before putting it in the testing machine. Locate the two grips in the center of the machine. These are spaced out one above the other. The foam will tighten down into these grips.
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Move the grips up and down by hand until they are spread out the same distance as the length of the polyurethane foam you will be testing. Turn the levers to open up the grips and set the polyurethane foam in each end. Tighten the grips back down in place and verify only the tip of the polyurethane foam is being held down.
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Flip the switch on the front of the testing machine and turn it on. The top grip on the machine will begin moving up and pulling away from the bottom grip. This will stretch out the polyurethane foam and test its strength. Time how long it takes to break with a stopwatch. Continue until the polyurethane foam breaks into two pieces.
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