How is art foam made?
There are many types of art foams available on the market. They all owe their existence to scientists in the late 19th century who first produced plastics out of natural substances and chemicals.On the Molecular LevelMolecules are small particles that like to group together and this is called polymerization. Plastics, including art foams, begin their chemical process when at least two small molecules join together.Polymers and StyreneMolecular chains are called polymers and they repeat the structure of the original molecules. Styrene is a colorless liquid hydrocarbon that is made by combining ethylene and benzene.Polystyrene BeadsThe best known synthetic polymer is called polystyrene. When the polystyrene chain reaches its desired length, the reaction of the molecules is stopped. The end result is a batch of beads made of polystyrene chains.ConsiderationsStopping the chemical reaction can be difficult because the chain length must be within a predetermined range. Long chains of polysty
