30/03/2026
Polyurethane foams are used from automotive and marine, to film & theatre for making high quality parts. We’ve put together a guide, answering common questions to help you choose the right foam for your application!
What types of polyurethane foams are there?
There are two primary types of polyurethane foam: rigid and flexible.
Rigid foams are closed cell and come in a range of densities. They can be easy to carve or be structural enough for lightweight furniture. Typically, they’re used for flotation applications and prototypes.
Flexible foams are either compressible cushion style foams or firmer self-skinning foams. These are used for movie props, moulded cushions and bumpers.
Where can polyurethane foam be used?
With the range of densities available and the ability to pigment, polyurethane foams are ideal for film and special effects industries like allowing prop master’s to create weapons, from spears to futuristic, while staying well within safety regulations
Some other applications include Set pieces, sculptures, props, padding and bumpers, head rests, costumes and armour, medical training devices, and lightweight back up tools
Read more about polyurethane foams including how they should be stored, how to stop them shrinking, materials to consider and more FAQs here: https://www.bjbmaterialseurope.com/learn/introductory-guide-to-polyurethane-foams
