Materials · Polyurethane & Reticulated Foam

Polyurethane Foam &
Reticulated Foam

Two powerful open-cell foam materials under one roof. Standard polyurethane foam delivers flexible, durable cushioning for packaging, furniture, and comfort applications while reticulated polyurethane foam takes it further with a fully open, skeletal cell structure optimised for filtration, fluid management, and acoustic absorption in moisture-prone environments.

Open-Cell Standard & Reticulated Flexible & Resilient Mildew Resistant Custom Fabricated

Open-Cell

Cell Structure

10–100

PPI Pore Size (Reticulated)

2 Types

Standard & Reticulated

97%

Open Void (Reticulated)

Material Overview

Flexible, Durable Foam for Comfort & Function

Polyurethane foam is produced by combining polyol, isocyanate, and water a reaction that creates a lightweight, flexible open-cell structure. The result is a highly durable material that excels at cushioning, impact absorption, and comfort across a vast range of applications. Reticulated polyurethane takes this further: through a thermal or chemical process, the cell windows are removed entirely, leaving a skeletal, web-like structure that maximises airflow, filtration efficiency, and fluid management. kristoFOAM offers both grades across a wide range of densities and pore sizes.

Flexible, Resilient Cell Structure

Standard polyurethane foam returns to its original shape after compression, delivering long-lasting cushioning performance across repeated use cycles ideal for seating, bedding, and custom foam padding.

Reticulated: Maximum Airflow

With up to 97% open void content, reticulated foam offers minimal resistance to air and fluid movement making it the preferred choice for filtration media, fuel tank baffles, and acoustic absorption.

Lightweight & Low Odour

Both grades are lightweight relative to their performance characteristics. Reticulated foam is specifically formulated to be low-odour and highly resistant to mildew, making it safe for humid and outdoor environments.

Wide Density & Pore Size Range

Polyurethane foam is available across a broad ILD and density spectrum for custom feel and support tuning. Reticulated foam is available in 10–100 PPI pore sizes to precisely match filtration or acoustic requirements.

Know Your Material

Standard Polyurethane vs. Reticulated Foam

Both materials share the same polyurethane chemistry but their internal structure makes them suited to very different applications. Here's how to choose.

Standard Polyurethane Foam

Key Properties

Open-cell, flexible structure
Excellent resilience & recovery
High durability over repeated compression
Available in wide density & ILD range
Easy to fabricate, bond, and laminate
Low cost per cubic foot

Best For

Furniture & seating cushions
Custom foam padding & packaging
Mattresses & toppers
Automotive seat & headliner foam
Soundproofing & acoustic panels
Medical cushioning & positioning

Key Properties

Reticulated Polyether Foam: Engineered for hydrostatic stability, offering superior performance in wet environments
Reticulated Polyester Foam: Engineered with a uniformed cell structure, designed for remarkable filtration performance
Lightweight & low air resistance
Available in 10–100 PPI pore sizes
Available in a wide ILD range

Best For

Air & liquid filtration systems
Sound absorption panels
Fuel tank safety baffles
Wound care & fluid management
Outdoor & marine padding
HVAC and industrial air handling

Not sure which grade is right for your application? Contact our team — we'll help you specify the correct density, ILD, or PPI for your project.

Technical Data

Polyurethane & Reticulated Foam Specifications

VIEW TECHNICAL SHEET

Key material properties across standard and reticulated polyurethane foam grades. Exact values vary by density and formulation, contact us for specific data sheets.

Polyurethane

Cell Structure

Open-Cell

Flexible, interconnected cells

Polyurethane

Density Range

16–80 kg/m³

Multiple grades available

Polyurethane

ILD Range

15–60+ ILD

Soft to extra firm

Polyurethane

Service Temp.

–20° to +80°C

Grade dependent

Reticulated

Open Void Content

97%+

Skeletal structure

Reticulated

Pore Size

10–100 PPI

Pores per inch, all grades

Reticulated Polyether

Mildew Resistance

Excellent

Suitable for wet environments

Both

Available Forms

Sheet, Roll, Bun

Custom cut & fabricated parts

Common Uses

Where These Foams Are Used

From everyday comfort products to critical filtration systems, polyurethane and reticulated foams serve a remarkably broad range of industries and end uses.

Polyurethane

High-resilience polyurethane foam for sofas, office chairs, automotive seats, and custom upholstered furniture available across the full range of firmness levels.

Polyurethane

Flexible polyurethane padding and custom-cut inserts for protective packaging, cases, and consumer product applications requiring a comfortable, conforming material.

Polyurethane

Convoluted and flat-cut polyurethane foam for recording studios, industrial enclosures, HVAC liners, and any space requiring effective sound absorption.

Reticulated

Reticulated foam's skeletal structure and selectable pore size make it an ideal filter medium for HVAC systems, pool skimmers, aquariums, industrial air handling, and liquid filtration applications.

Reticulated

Reticulated polyurethane is used inside fuel tanks in racing, military, and aviation applications to prevent slosh and suppress explosion risk meeting stringent safety standards.

Reticulated

Mildew-resistant reticulated foam for boat seat padding, outdoor furniture, water sports equipment, and any application where moisture ingress and drainage are critical.

Product Gallery

Polyurethane & Reticulated Foam Products

Available in bun stock, sheets, rolls, convoluted profiles, and custom fabricated parts in a wide range of densities, ILD ratings, and pore sizes for both standard and reticulated grades.