Density of foam rubber. Types and purpose of foam rubber

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Furniture production requires high-quality, soft and elastic filling. The material should support the spring block of the sofa or bed, help with the design of comfortable chair seats and ensure the filling of the backs and armrests. Professional furniture makers have such an abbreviation as PPU. Many have heard such a name as polyurethane foam, and ordinary people know the word "foam rubber". In fact, these are different names for the same material. It is the density of foam rubber that affects the scope of its application and the quality of the resulting product.

Quality characteristics of polyurethane foam

The main mechanical properties of polyurethane foam include the following characteristics:

• foam density;
• hardness;
• elasticity;
• breathability;
• tensile strength;
• cell size;
• extension option;
• support factor.

Mesh size and support factor are considered on highly elastic specimens.

Not only the quality of the material depends on the above characteristics, but also how durable and comfortable the furniture will be, as well as the breathability of the product.

Foam rubber quality parameters. Density

Furniture foam rubber is evaluated primarily by its density. The service life depends on this parameter. The higher the density, the longer it can be used without compromising quality.

This fact is explained by the fact that furniture foam rubber is subjected to heavy loads, and the brand with the highest density is better able to withstand dynamic and static weighting. To understand the mechanism of action, it is necessary to represent the amount of PPU per unit volume. It is clear that in a place where there is more of it, dents and scuffs will not appear so soon.

Do not confuse the density of the foam rubber with an indicator of its rigidity. These concepts are related, but not identical. There are grades of foam with low density and high rigidity.

Scope of application

Polyurethane foam is quite common and is used in various areas of production:

• furniture;
• construction (sound and heat insulation);
• sports (mats, punching bags);
• medical (orthopedic products);
• sewing soft toys and clothes.

Foam rubber differs depending on the destination in terms of quality andprice category. Durability, density, stiffness and elasticity depend on the composition.

Advantages of polyurethane foam

The material is very popular in various industries due to its significant advantages. So, it has high wear resistance. In addition, it is completely hypoallergenic, therefore it is absolutely safe for the production of not only furniture, but also children's goods, orthopedic products.

Foam rubber is moisture resistant, so it is not susceptible to the formation of harmful microorganisms in it. At the same time, it fully retains its quality characteristics over a fairly wide temperature range (from -40 to 100 degrees).

Due to good acoustic insulation, foam rubber is successfully used as an insulating material. And elasticity allows you to use it in creating products of any size and shape.

With its merits, PPU can withstand a rather high period of active operation. Depending on its density and purpose - from 5 to 15 years.

Foam Rubber Brands

Furniture production uses various PPU, which is divided into certain brands.

St brand. It is considered a standard material, from the characteristics of which other types are counted. It is mainly used for stuffing armrests or chair seats.

The brand of increased rigidity EL. This is a modified standard material with greater rigidity. This density of foam rubber for a sofa is most suitable, because it can withstand static and dynamic loads. In addition, this brand is used forproduction of rigid mattresses.

Highly elastic (HR) brand. The most comfortable material that combines elastic properties and rather low initial stiffness. Thanks to this property, the material is used in the manufacture of high-quality furniture and for filling seats. So, it is the HR brand - the ideal density of foam rubber for chairs and orthopedic mattresses.

Choice Options

In the production of foam rubber, the main emphasis is on thickness and density. From these indicators depends on what needs he can go.

So, high-density foam rubber is used in the manufacture of sofa seats, because softness is good, but the person will simply fall through. Also, dense material is important in the production of mattresses, because a hard and even surface for sleeping is preferable for many.

At the same time, the sofa does not consist of a single seat. It is necessary to equip armrests, frame, side walls, etc. They also need soft furnishings, depending on the purpose they select the brand of foam rubber.

Elastic and hard foam rubber is chosen for the seats. At the same time, the thickness of the foam rubber is not important, because comfort and convenience are not provided by one layer. To achieve the best effect, use several sheets of material. At the same time, various brands of foam rubber are used for the production of any type of furniture.

Special purpose foam

If foam rubber (density 40) is often used in the manufacture of furniture, then a less dense one is used inmany other areas. So, for sanitary and hygienic needs (kitchen and bath sponges), a material is required that will not crumble, will foam well and withstand frequent contact with water. To do this, special additives are used that improve quality characteristics and at the same time do not cause allergies.

There are viscoelastic grades that have found their application in the production of medical products. It is widely used in the manufacture of overlays used for burns. The material takes the contours of the body and is less traumatic to the affected area.

Contour products, such as rollers, cylinders, sides, are made from block foamed polyurethane. It is completely uniform and quite elastic.

Highlights in the care of the foam product

To preserve the consumer properties of PPU and extend its service life, you should apply a few simple rules:

• remove dust with a vacuum cleaner without using mechanical means;
• do not use cleaning products that contain alcohol, which destroys the fibers of the material;
• do not expose to too high temperatures, in particular do not iron.

These simple rules will maintain the density of the foam rubber in proper quality, respectively, the deformation of the product will not occur.

Mattress foam

Furniture foam rubber is used in the production of beds. What density is needed for a mattress depends on the expected rigidity of the product.

StandardPPU brand is used for the manufacture of children's mattresses. Its density is 25 kg/m3.

For luxury beds and longer use, latex foam is used, which is marked HR and VE.

The brand of increased rigidity EL can withstand loads up to 100 kg. Type EL2240 is a budget option that is suitable for infrequent use or for a service life of up to 5 years.

The EL2842 brand is considered more durable and resilient, which will last more than 10 years without deterioration in quality.

Possible damage to foam mattresses

Recently, it has been widely believed that foam rubber is harmful to he alth, because the material emits harmful fumes. Despite the use of PPU for several decades, the debate about the appropriateness of its use does not subside.

It is known that foam rubber is made from fully synthetic components. As a result, substances with a characteristic odor are released. But they quickly disappear and do not harm the body.

However, brands produced with violation of technology and the most budgetary ones often continue to exude a smell throughout their entire service life. Vapors are compared with the substance released during combustion. But their concentration is so low that it is not necessary to talk about harm to humans.

Conclusion

Foam rubber is widely used in furniture production. In free sale, there are usually medium-density brands that are suitable for the manufacture of children's furniture.or backs of products. The density of foam rubber for a sofa should be above 30 kg/m3, but these types are produced directly for industrial purposes.

PPU is often used in the manufacture of mattresses. Now this material is the most common. This is facilitated by the positive characteristics that polyurethane foam has:

• affordable price;
• does not burn out on its own (only burns when supported by another source);
• vapor tightness;
• low thermal conductivity;
• moisture resistant;
• easy care;
• Ease of transportation.

However, when choosing a foam mattress, it is necessary to take into account the presence of a block of springs. Yet, despite the increased density, the material is quite soft. Therefore, in the manufacture of furniture, additional devices are used to ensure sufficient rigidity. It can be coconut coir, independent springs and other inventions that improve the properties of foam rubber.

Despite the debate about the dangers and benefits of foam rubber, its properties are invaluable and allow you to produce things quite soft and at the same time elastic.