Integral skin foam (self-skining foam)

Integral skin foam, or self-skin foam, is a special type of polyurethane foam characterized by a lightweight flexible core and a tough or resilient outer skin. This foam has a dual-layer structure where the outer skin has a different density compared to the foam core.

The skin of integral foams consists of closed cells, which, if formed with the right thickness, can resist abrasion, chemicals, and even tearing. Consequently, this foam is widely used in the automotive, furniture, medical and sport industries.

The appeal of the integral foam molding process lies in its simplicity—it is a single-stage process where the material is poured into a mold, and the final texture and shape are formed within the mold. These materials are classified into two categories based on their formulation: water-based and gas-based (solvent) systems.