Medical foam is a closed-cell polyethylene foam used as a component inside medical products: the backing on a foam tape, padding in orthopaedic supports, cushioning inside a device tray, and the protective layer in sterile-barrier packaging. Because the cells are sealed, the foam does not absorb liquids and can be wiped or washed clean.
Bofeng Foam manufactures XPE and IXPE foam in Zhuhai, China and supplies it to medical tape converters, device manufacturers and packaging companies as sheet, roll, adhesive-coated laminate and die-cut shape.
What is Medical Foam?
Medical foam is a flexible, closed-cell foam used as a material component rather than as a finished device. It is chosen for a combination of properties: it does not take on water, it is odourless, it cushions and conforms without shedding particles, and it can be die-cut or laminated into precise shapes.
- Non-absorbent — a sealed cell structure keeps liquids out, so the foam does not become a reservoir for contamination.
- Cleanable — the surface can be wiped down, which suits reusable trays and supports.
- Conformable and cushioning — low-density grades wrap around a limb or a device without adding bulk.
- Convertible — foam can be adhesive-coated, laminated, die-cut and thermoformed to fit a specific product.
Foam Materials for Medical Applications
XPE Foam
Chemically cross-linked polyethylene foam. Expansion ratio 3–40x, apparent density 26.8–300 kg/m³, single-layer thickness 3–15 mm with laminated builds from 15 to 200 mm, widths 500–2000 mm. Water absorption is 0.4% or lower.
IXPE Foam
Irradiation cross-linked polyethylene foam, made without a chemical cross-linking agent. Single layers from 0.1 mm make it the grade for thin tape carriers and backing layers. It resists water, oils, acids and alkalis, and flame-retardant grades with a limiting oxygen index of 27 are available.
Adhesive-Coated and Laminated Foam
Foam can be coated with a solvent-based adhesive under a release liner to make a tape carrier, and laminated with non-woven fabric or film. Multi-layer thermal bonding is available up to 200 mm (IXPP up to 100 mm), and foam can be die-cut to a drawing.
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Medical Foam Specifications
| Property | XPE | IXPE |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-linking | Chemical | Irradiation (electron beam) |
| Expansion ratio | 3–40x | 3–40x |
| Apparent density (GB/T 6343) | 26.8–300 kg/m³ | 26.8–300 kg/m³ |
| Single-layer thickness | 3–15 mm | 0.1–15 mm |
| Laminated build | 15–200 mm | 15–200 mm |
| Sheet width | 500–2000 mm | 500–2000 mm |
| Water absorption (GB/T 1034) | ≤0.4% | ≤0.4% |
| Compression set, 23±2 °C / 22 h (GB/T 6669) | ≤10% | — |
| Adhesive coating | Solvent-based, release liner | Solvent-based, release liner |
Our factory data specifies resistance to water, oils, acids and alkalis. An optional flame-retardant grade with a limiting oxygen index of 27 is available. Conductive grades from 10³ to 10⁶ Ω and anti-static grades from 10⁶ to 10⁹ Ω are available where electronic equipment is involved.
Medical Foam Products We Make
- Medical tape foam
- Custom die-cut foam inserts for device packaging
- Anti-static foam for electronic medical equipment
What We Do — and What We Do Not Claim
Bofeng Foam supplies foam as a material. We do not manufacture or certify finished medical devices, and we do not hold, and therefore do not claim, ISO 10993 biocompatibility testing or medical-device regulatory clearance.
Biocompatibility assessment, sterilisation validation and device registration are carried out by the manufacturer of the finished device, against the requirements of its own market. We support that process by supplying consistent material, providing the foam specification, and converting to the drawing you specify. If your project needs a particular grade or a documented specification, tell us the requirement and we will confirm what we can supply.
Why Choose Bofeng Foam as Your Foam Supplier?
Bofeng Foam operates five production lines with an annual capacity of 5,000 tonnes from 10,000 m² of workshops in Zhuhai, China. Foam is produced in-house, so the specification you qualify is the specification you receive on repeat orders, and lamination, adhesive coating and die-cutting are handled by the same supplier.
Discuss a medical foam requirement →
Ordering information
| Item | What we supply |
|---|---|
| Minimum order | 1,000 m² for standard rolls and sheets; custom parts are quoted individually from the drawing |
| Lead time | 15–20 days from order confirmation |
| Samples | A4 sheet, free of charge, shipping included |
| Supply forms | sheet, adhesive-coated roll, laminated sheet, die-cut part |
Medical Foam FAQ
What foam is used as a medical tape carrier?
A thin closed-cell polyethylene foam — usually IXPE, which can be produced in single layers from 0.1 mm. The foam is coated with an adhesive under a release liner to form the tape, so the carrier has to be thin, consistent and non-absorbent.
Is Bofeng Foam medical foam certified to ISO 10993?
No. ISO 10993 biocompatibility testing and medical-device clearance apply to the finished device and are the responsibility of the device manufacturer. We supply the foam material and its specification; we do not claim device-level certification.
Can the foam be supplied die-cut for device packaging?
Yes. Foam can be die-cut or routed to a drawing or sample, laminated, and supplied in anti-static or conductive grades where electronic medical equipment is involved.
Related Reading
See also: Medical grade foam: what to look for · All cross-linked foam materials · ESD foam · Contact Bofeng Foam