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Latex Foam Guide
Latex Foam Guide
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www.AbsoluteComfortOnSale.com
Latex Foam Guide – A Guide to Comparing
and Buying Latex Bedding Products – Latex Mattress Sets,
Latex Mattress Pad Toppers and Pillows
Natural Rubber made its official western debut in France around the year 1736, though the
miraculously waterproof character of rubber apparently also brought one man to court in
Portugal on the charge of witchcraft.
Nowadays few
would probably be
aware that Hevea
brasiliensis, the
rubber tree
commonly found in
Southeast Asian
countries as well as
some parts of Africa
and India, originated
in Brazil – as its
Latin name suggests.
Indeed, Brazil was
the original source
of commercial latex
rubber until the early
1900s. This market
having been
developed by the
British,
representatives of
the British
Government quietly
took thousands of
seeds to London 1870s,
which were later exported to Asia where they rooted well and grew vigorously.
Since then, techniques for rapid tree cloning, harvesting, plantation management, and processing
have been developed. Although it may not seem significant at first, the production of quality
trees and the skill with which they are tapped are extremely important. Poorly produced or
tapped trees may not grow properly, and will actually stop producing prematurely during their
production cycle.
How is Latex Used?
Latex has gained wide popularity throughout society due to its unique elastic properties, as well
as its water repellency and ability to recover completely when subjected to compression or
elongation. Oh, and those handy-dandy erasers! Latex rubber and its synthetic family have
revolutionized many industries, from mattresses, clothing, and bicycle and automobile parts to
rubber bands, canning jars, and
adhesives.
The demand for rubber of ever-increasing performance also led scientists to isolate the primary
chemistry of rubber and to reproduce it synthetically. In this one stroke, industrialists gained the
ability to formulate and craft specific types of rubber to meet the requirements of intended
products and the conditions in which they would be used.
The processing and production of rubber has progressed through numerous stages since
the 1800s, and matured from batch to continuous processing styles. Each step has
been intended to produce a better and more consistent product, with lower
materials and labor costs involved. There have also been divergent
methodologies developed in different sectors of the industry, aimed at
accomplishing the same end in different ways.
After WWII, active interest returned to perfecting continuous processing of latex, improving the
qualities of the finished product, and reducing the expense. The Dunlop Process proved to be a
promising technological innovation which allowed the production of much more consistently
high quality rubber than was possible before. In this process, the liquid latex is first foamed, and
then gelled; and the latex batter is poured into the shape of the final product(s) while still in a
semi-liquid state. The gelling latex is then allowed to set before being vulcanized into its final
form. After vulcanization, the final steps, including washing and drying, take place. This
washing phase may help to reduce residues of the various chemicals used in this process at
different stages, for example chemicals used to maintain liquidity, to foam, to gel, etc.
The Talalay process was developed as an alternative to the Dunlop Process, in an effort to use
less chemicals in the processing. It is often portrayed as an all natural process or a process for
manufacturing all natural latex, but this is not so. Both the Dunlop and the Talalay processes are
used in manufacturing all natural latex, as well as blended natural and synthetic latex.
In this novel technology, the latex batter is also whipped, but the primary aeration or foaming of
the batter was achieved by chemical reaction or by reducing the ambient pressure – thus
encouraging natural liquids within the batter to evaporate, and gasses to expand naturally within
the batter, with minimal chemical intervention. Naturally, the aerated latex has to gel in the mold
before vulcanization and final washing.
Modern Talalay processing actually incorporates a quick-freeze of the aerated foam inside the
mould to maintain the homogeneous cell structure and density within the foam, and disallow
stratification and settling. Although proponents of Talalay processing claim that this type of
foam is more homogeneous, potentially less dense, and has superior qualities, critics argue that
the freezing of the latex batter weakens the latex matrix, and reduces the durability of the final
product.
A Guide to Natural Latex vs Synthetic Latex:
.
Latex: Allergies and Hypo-Allergenic Issues
Synthetic rubbers have gained in popularity and wide application particularly with the much-
debated topic of latex allergies – which can lead to anaphylactic shock and even death in severe
cases. There are varying theories about latex allergy, with some claiming that it is the proteins of
natural latex, or the chemical residues from processing, that are the real cause of the sensitivity.
Latex, the milky liquid harvested from trees and plants, is actually not exclusive to the well-
known Havea brasiliensis rubber tree. Indeed, there are many plants that produce latex to protect
and repair themselves when injured, and not all promote an allergic response. In the meantime,
or until hypoallergenic Guyale Latex is commercially developed, those with a latex allergy need
to be careful about latex products.
However, 100% Natural Latex foam as we know it today, by its inherent nature, reduces
or avoids the most common allergens associated with modern bedding materials without
chemical additives or synthetics. Due to thorough washing in final stages of production,
100% natural latex also reduces the tendency for aggravation of latex allergies by
significantly removing the plant proteins. Blended latex manufacturers tend to also make
this claim on the basis of the natural latex component in their finished products.
A word of caution, however: People with acute or life-threatening allergies should always
practice caution and seek the advice of their doctor or health professional.
One of the ever-popular areas of use for latex is in mattresses and toppers. To get a sense of this,
just imagine emergent western cultures accustomed to decades of horsehair and other
unforgiving sleep surfaces suddenly discovering a soft yet firm rubbery surface that could be
slept on, something that was waterproof and warm, and at the same time yielding, smooth, and
elastic. Latex bedding proved to be a revolution.
Latex as a bedding material has evolved over time as the availability of the material, and
technological advancements, have produced ever-better varieties. Additionally, latex mattresses
and toppers have been relatively expensive until recent times. It has perhaps been the rise in
prices of comparable synthetic foam and bedding products that has reduced the gap to the point
where latex bedding tends to be only slightly more expensive; and that may, in part, be due to the
fact that they aren’t yet mass-manufactured in the kind of volume that would otherwise make the
prices equivalent.
In our time, natural latex is certainly considered very much of a luxury sleep surface in many
circles. However, natural latex is also very popular among the eco-conscious; as well as those
who cannot tolerate the chemical smells of synthetic foams, or who require the uniquely resilient
feel or firmness of latex for health reasons. Whatever the case, as mentioned above, not all latex
mattresses labeled as “talalay latex” or “latex mattress” are truly 100% natural latex. They can be
a synthetic combination.
To be perfectly clear, there will be synthetic latexes (“domestic latex”), there will be 100%
natural latexes, there will be blended latexes (sometimes called “Talalay” or even “natural”
without the “100%”), and there will be layered mattresses that may incorporate one or more of
these types of latex rubber. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages; its special qualities
and feel – and, in the end, such beds, toppers, and pillows were developed with people like you
and me in mind.
Both synthetic and natural latex products, generally being more dense in consistency, are most
often perforated like a pegboard in order to soften, lighten, and create enhanced airflow within
the finished product – even though the foam itself is foamed and aerated during production.
Memory Foam, a special kind of polyurethane foam, on the other hand, does not require
perforation, and performs admirably without. Developed originally by NASA Laboratories,
memory foam’s uniqueness lies in its ability to recover more slowly from body impressions (i.e.,
the sense of “remembering” body position) as well as responding to body weight and heat to
provide greater comfort and more even weight and temperature distribution.
Latex is known for it’s properties of orthopedic support. It is soft but also firm. In addition it
comes in an all natural variety. Memory foam on the other hand is all synthetic (though a natural
version is being developed). It is basically very softening.
We’re all health and comfort conscious to some degree, and a more comfortable pillow – or even
one that helps reduce neck and head ache – is sought after nearly as much as the Elixir of Life!
So many designs and formulations have been created that it would be hard to tabulate them all.
Foam pillows might broadly be categorized as: 100% Natural Latex, 100% Synthetic Latex,
100% Memory Foam, and layered and blended combinations.
With ever-increasing awareness on health and the physical dynamics of body alignment, through
health sciences such as Osteopathy and Chiropractic, reduction of pressure points, proper
distribution of body weight on a sleep surface, and correct spinal alignment, have greatly
influenced the bedding industry. In terms of pillows, the cervical or contour pillow was
developed to help provide proper anatomic support for the head and neck.
Comparative Cross-Section View of Traditional vs Contoured Pillows
With synthetic latexes or blends, every day may bring an ever greater range of density and feel,
allowing the really discriminating sleeper to choose what suits them in a very meticulously
precise way. Particularly with blends, the topper may possess unique properties that provide an
unmatched sleep experience – for just the right person.
Latex mattresses probably come in as many varieties as Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, in part because
they have been presented as a luxury item, and in part because each of us has his or her own
definition of what “comfortable” is. Some mattress manufacturers are even beginning to allow
independent customization of the mattress.
Contemporary choices include a range of mattresses from handsome tight-tops to luxurious
pillow-top styles; 100% natural latex mattresses, 100% synthetic mattresses, and sometimes
combinations of natural and synthetic
latexes – each with added comfort
layers of wool, cashmere, SuperSoft
foam, or polyester fiber, and
different thicknesses, sizes, and
shapes of the basic mattress or bed
set. Each will be covered in a
handsome or even elegant fabric
made of natural, synthetic, or
blended fibers.
The 100% natural latex mattress will generally be between 6” and 14” deep, and may be
anything from pure natural latex with an organic removable cover all the way to density-layered
pure natural latex wrapped in organic wool, with a cozy pillowtop, and adorned with elegant
woven fabric. Such luxurious covers are often quilted for added comfort, and to help keep
delicate layers from shifting.