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The Difference Between High Density Foam & Latex Foam

High density foam and latex foam are both useful, especially in furniture and other household items. When purchasing products that contain either of these materials, it's a good ideal to know a few facts about both types. A few similarities exist when it comes to usage and flexibility, but there are also important differences in the two types of foams.

  1. High Density Foam

    • High density foam is made from a synthetic product called urethane or polyurethane. It is a substance that can go from being as soft as an eraser to as hard as a bowling ball. Foam that has a density weight of 2-to-3 lbs. is considered high density. General Plastics Manufacturing Company explains, "There can be considerable differences in foam strength, at the same density, depending on the foam production process used." Over the years, high density foam has appeared to evolve into more of an industrial product.

    Latex Foam

    • Latex is a natural rubber. The Rubber Foundation states that the primary production of latex has few negative environmental effect. Unlike the synthetic polyurethane in high density foam, natural latex is harvested from rubber trees. Natural rubber latex (NR) is best for creating latex foam. The other popular latex foam is made by adding styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) to natural latex. All latex is either 100 percent natural latex or a combination of latex and SBR.

    How High Density Foam Works

    • Urethane resin is turned into foam during the manufacturing process. It occurs when a compound that is added reacts with the urethane and produces carbon dioxide. Air is then able to flow freely through the cell holes in the foam. This creates a flexible type of urethane that results in a resilient and durable high density product. High density foam is widely used in sofas and chairs. The foam can provide years of comfortable sitting before the products starts sagging or getting indentations.

    How Latex Foam Works

    • Although 100 percent latex is available in foam products today, foam blended with both SBR and latex is still a common choice. The styrene-butadiene rubber is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are formed when individual molecules link together in a chain-like fashion. When combined with latex, the styrene-butadiene emulsion is used to produce a water-based polymer that is abrasion resistant. The latex and SBR combination is typically used in products like paper coating and carpet backing.

    Primary Benefits of High Density Foam

    • High density foam is popular for the support it provides in sleep products. This is a big selling point, especially in foam products like cushions, chairs, mattresses and pillows. The Polyurethane Foam Association states, "Higher density foam helps prevent the feeling of having the foam collapse beneath the body weight in an end use application." In spite of the undeniable support the foam provides, high density foam can actually be very soft .

    Primary Benefits of Latex

    • Unlike polyurethane high density foam, latex is especially beneficial because it is hypoallergenic. Latex is resistant to dust mites, mold and other bacteria common to mattresses. When it comes to latex foam mattresses, the expression "no flip" is often used by manufacturers. This refers to the fact that the mattress quality is so good, that it does not require periodic turning. Flipping or turning the mattress is typically needed with standard mattresses because they tend to lose form and begin to sag.

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