Cellular Polymers *

Abstract

This paper reviews the history of the development of synthetic products to match the properties of natural products and draws attention to the many solid polymers that had been discovered and left on the shelf for 50–100 years. Products made from cellular polymers began to appear in the period 1920–45. Many have succeeded in replacing natural products such as horn, shellac and natural rubber; many have also begun to be chosen by certain industries not only as materials with attractive properties in their own right but because the methods of processing and production are efficient. The main thermoplastic, thermosetting and elastomer polymers and their cellular offspring are discussed and the markets for them in Western Europe are reviewed. All polymers present problems in a fire situation; nevertheless the world would find it difficult to do without cellular polymers and the progress made in improving the performance of certain cellular polymers in fires is encouraging.