1 
This post highlights their properties, advantages, and disadvantages, and helps you choose the best foam for your gun case.
PU foam is a soft, open-cell foam that offers good cushioning and shock absorption. It is easy to customize and fabricate so that it perfectly fits a custom firearm case. PU foam is also cheap to manufacture and lightweight, making it a popular choice for the packaging industry.
However, PU foam also has some drawbacks. It is fragile and flimsy, and it does not have a long lifespan. It tends to come apart at the edges, deform underweight, and eventually become unusable.
PU foam has an open cell matrix that contains air spaces, which makes it deformable and gives it a spongy look. Due to its low density, PU foam absorbs water like a sponge, which can cause rusting and corrosion of the firearm if placed wet in the case.
PU foam is suitable for disposable or short-term use, as it is cheap and easy to replace. It can also be used in pick and pluck variants, which allow the user to customize the shape of the foam by removing small pieces of foam.
EPE foam is a hard, closed-cell foam that offers excellent strength, resilience, and durability. It is resistant to deformation, compression, and tearing, and can withstand high temperatures and pressures. EPE foam also has a closed cell matrix (without air spaces), which makes it water-repellent and moisture-resistant. EPE foam does not absorb water, hence preventing rust and corrosion of the firearm.
EPE foam is ideal for long-term storage. It is also suitable for humid environments. The foam can be custom-shaped and fabricated to fit the firearm case and be laminated with other materials to enhance its appearance and performance.
EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) Foam
EVA foam, like EPE, is also a hard, closed-cell foam. It however has varied texture and appearance compared to EPE foam. EVA foam has a smooth and rubbery finish, and it is very rigid and firm. EVA foam has a clean and sleek look and is often used for display cases and showcases.
Here is a table that summarizes the comparison between PU, EPE, and EVA foam for gun cases:
| Foam Type | Properties | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| PU (Polyurethane) | Soft, open-cell, cushioning, shock-absorbing | Cheap, lightweight, easy to shape, pick and pluck variants | Fragile, flimsy, short lifespan, water-absorbing, poor anti-abrasive, deforms under weight |
| EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) | Hard, closed-cell, strong, resilient, durable | Water-repellent, moisture-resistant, prevents rusting, resistant to deformation, compression, and tearing, can be laminated | More expensive, heavier, bulkier, harder to cut and shape, rough and coarse texture |
| EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) | Hard, closed-cell, smooth, rubbery, rigid, firm | Water-repellent, moisture-resistant, prevents rusting, resistant to deformation, compression, and tearing, clean and sleek look, good for display | More expensive, heavier, bulkier, harder to cut and shape, smooth and slippery surface, less secure and stable |
The type of foam used in a gun case can affect its performance, durability, and appearance. As you can see, there is no definitive answer to which type of foam is best for your gun case. It depends on various factors such as your gun’s size, shape, weight, value, and usage frequency; as well as your personal preferences regarding comfort, convenience, aesthetics, and price.
To help you make an informed decision, here are some general guidelines:
“Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may receive a commission. This won’t affect your purchase price.“
1 
|
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.