Materials That Are Effective Insulators

Insulators help to protect people, and animals in some cases, from head and electrical transference that could potentially harm them. Many of these insulators are used in everyday life, such as oven mitts, shoes and rubber gloves. Some insulators are more effective than others, depending on what they are being used for and what they are insulating against.

Foam

• Foam is made generally of latex rubber or other synthetic materials that are used primarily in housing and other construction, including vehicle manufacturing. These insulators are especially effective against heat and are treated to make them fire and heat resistant. Foam is not very effective against electrical impulses unless it is a particularly dense foam. The electricity can be conducted through any air holes in the foam produced during manufacturing, keeping it from being effective as an electrical insulator.

Rubber

• Rubber is a naturally found material that is particularly effective when insulating against electricity. Rubber products do not conduct electricity, leading to rubber gloves and wire covers to be used when handling live electrical wires. Rubber products are also used to ground items and individuals against electrical shock near live wires. These products can also be used to insulate against heat at lower temperatures; however, higher, more intense temperatures can damage the integrity of the rubber, causing it to melt and become ineffective when exposed to high heat for long periods.

Vinyl

• Rubberized vinyl is a type of treated plastic that can be used in much the same way as rubber as an insulator but is a completely synthetic material and contains none of the possibly allergy-inducing properties of natural rubber. The vinyl can be treated to make it heat resistant, causing it to be effective as an insulator against heat. Items made out of this type of vinyl can withstand high temperatures even when exposed to them for a prolonged period. Rubberized vinyl can also effectively be used to protect against electrical impulses.