In the past decade, foam mattresses have
become common in the mattress industry
and
foams are also used in nearly every type
bed. From all-foam mattresses to spring
hybrids, the majority of beds these days
contain some type of foam material.
However, not all foam is created equal.
become common in the mattress industry
and
foams are also used in nearly every type
bed. From all-foam mattresses to spring
hybrids, the majority of beds these days
contain some type of foam material.
However, not all foam is created equal.
Types of foam (mattress)
(1) Polyurethane Foam
Flexible polyurethane foams are created by
reacting polyols with isocyanates, along with
surfactants, catalysts and other additives.
High-density foams can be achieved with
blowing agents, frothing or other methods.
Flexible polyurethane foams are created by
reacting polyols with isocyanates, along with
surfactants, catalysts and other additives.
High-density foams can be achieved with
blowing agents, frothing or other methods.
The complex chemical reaction was
developed in the 1950s and creates foams
which are widely used in mattresses,
furniture, cars, and homes. By modifying the
ingredients and processes, manufacturers
can produce polyurethane foams with a wide
range of properties from ultra plush to firm
and conforming to rigid.
There are mattresses made exclusively of
polyurethane foam, as well as beds that use
more rigid polyurethane “cores” for support
or use lower density polyurethane for
padding in upper layers.
These types of mattresses are usually
around 5-10 inches thick, and are often sold
by discount stores or futon mattress
retailers.
polyurethane foam, as well as beds that use
more rigid polyurethane “cores” for support
or use lower density polyurethane for
padding in upper layers.
These types of mattresses are usually
around 5-10 inches thick, and are often sold
by discount stores or futon mattress
retailers.
(2) Memory Foam
Many shoppers looking into foam mattresses
for the first time can find the distinction
between memory foam and poly foams
confusing. Essentially, memory foam is a
type of polyurethane, so all memory foam is
polyurethane, but not all polyurethane is
memory foam. Memory foam is made in a
way similar to polyurethane, but there are a
few key differences.
Many shoppers looking into foam mattresses
for the first time can find the distinction
between memory foam and poly foams
confusing. Essentially, memory foam is a
type of polyurethane, so all memory foam is
polyurethane, but not all polyurethane is
memory foam. Memory foam is made in a
way similar to polyurethane, but there are a
few key differences.
Memory foam was developed when
scientists were seeking ways to lessen G-
force stress on astronauts, though it found
it’s true calling in the bedding and seating
industries. What sets memory foams (AKA
visco-elastic foam) apart is that they react
to temperature and/or weight differently.
scientists were seeking ways to lessen G-
force stress on astronauts, though it found
it’s true calling in the bedding and seating
industries. What sets memory foams (AKA
visco-elastic foam) apart is that they react
to temperature and/or weight differently.
The memory foam is designed to contour to
a person’s shape without exerting upward
pressure, and to return to it’s original state
once the pressure/heat is removed. Most
memory foams are temperature sensitive,
meaning they soften with body heat (and
become stiffer in cooler temperatures).
Some newer generations of memory foam
have reduced temperature sensitivity and
contour in response to pressure rather than
heat.
New Memory Foams
Recent years have also seen manufacturers
attempting to improve memory foams by
adding gels or by using plant-based oils in
exchange for a portion of petroleum. The
gels or “phase change materials” have
become popular as manufacturers claim they
can reduce temperatures, something that
about 10-15% of traditional memory foam
mattress owners complain about.
attempting to improve memory foams by
adding gels or by using plant-based oils in
exchange for a portion of petroleum. The
gels or “phase change materials” have
become popular as manufacturers claim they
can reduce temperatures, something that
about 10-15% of traditional memory foam
mattress owners complain about.
Memory foam mattresses can be found in a
wide variety of retail stores and from a wide
variety brands, ranging from both discount to
luxury. These type of beds are usually
around 8-14 inches thick, containing
anywhere from 2-8 inches of memory foam
supported by regular polyurethane.
wide variety of retail stores and from a wide
variety brands, ranging from both discount to
luxury. These type of beds are usually
around 8-14 inches thick, containing
anywhere from 2-8 inches of memory foam
supported by regular polyurethane.
(3) Latex Foam
Latex foam mattresses have been around
since the 1970s, but did not really enter the
mainstream market until the 1990s due to
cost improvements. Latex material can
come from either natural or synthetic
sources, or more often, a mix of the two.
In contrast to polyurethane and memory
foams, latex foams feel more resilient or
“bouncy”, and they also tend to offer greater
resistance to compression. Natural latex
foam mattresses have been gaining
popularity in recent years as healthier
alternative to traditional bedding since they
can be made without petrochemicals and
other potentially harmful additives. Latex
foam is more costly to produce however.
since the 1970s, but did not really enter the
mainstream market until the 1990s due to
cost improvements. Latex material can
come from either natural or synthetic
sources, or more often, a mix of the two.
In contrast to polyurethane and memory
foams, latex foams feel more resilient or
“bouncy”, and they also tend to offer greater
resistance to compression. Natural latex
foam mattresses have been gaining
popularity in recent years as healthier
alternative to traditional bedding since they
can be made without petrochemicals and
other potentially harmful additives. Latex
foam is more costly to produce however.
Mattresses made of latex foam can be more
difficult shop for than memory foam
mattresses due to the complex terminology.
difficult shop for than memory foam
mattresses due to the complex terminology.
They can also be more difficult to find in
stores, though online retailers have broadly
expanded options in this category. Some
companies also produce beds with latex
layered over polyurethane to produce a
cheaper mattress, though these types of
foam mattresses tend to receive less
satisfactory reviews than all-latex beds and
also have a reduced durability.
On my next post, I'll continue with the uses of foam. I know we all knows the basic uses but you will still discover some more uses. Thanks.
A nice start
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