Why do bicycle helmets use foam?

Bicycle helmets work by absorbing the impact of collisions. In short, the foam lining inside the helmet cushions the impact on your skull. Traditionally, many bicycle helmets are made of EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam. Once the EPS foam is extruded and deformed in an accident, it will not recover and will no longer have the ability to absorb the impact force of collision. EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) foam can recover after being hit, but its ability to absorb impact force is far less than EPS foam. GeCet is also a kind of foam material widely used in bicycle helmets. In fact, it is a more powerful EPS foam type and less prone to cracking. Zorbium claims that the foam they produce can absorb twice the impact energy of other helmet foams.

In recent years, protective foam materials are quietly developing. Tau ReUp, a new multi-protection foam combining EPS and EPU (polyurethane foam), was born, and the new Bern Unlimited helmet produced in 2006 adopted Brock's patented multi-protection foam. Careful observation of the current high-end helmet products, you will notice that carbon fiber is used in bicycle helmets to reduce the weight of helmets. Although the use of titanium or carbon fiber will greatly increase the cost of bicycle helmets, it is only a matter of time before helmet manufacturers use titanium in helmets for the same purpose. Therefore, the price of high-end bicycle helmets is often sold to 1400 yuan. This helmet is light in weight, with large air holes and good air permeability. However, in terms of safety and impact absorption, helmets that are lower than 140 yuan and meet the standards of AQSIQ can provide the same protection as helmets with a value of 1400 yuan (or more expensive).