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Thermoelastic foam? Only in the second layer of the mattress!

28 kwietnia 2022
Thermoelastic foam, visco mattress, memory mattresses, the best mattresses
Thermoelastic foam is one of the most commonly used types of polyurethane foam in sleeping products. Most often, thermoelastic foam is used in memory pillows, as well as the first layer of memory mattresses.

This type of polyurethane foam has typical physical and chemical properties, which have a number of advantages and disadvantages. For this reason, although thermoelastic foam is popular, in most cases it is used in a way that reveals its disadvantages.

The properties of thermoelastic foam led to calling it memory foam, lazy foam or viscoelastic foam. However, regardless of the name, it is still the same product that works in the same way in mattresses. However, the full use of its advantages depends on the design of the mattress.
Thermoelastic foam, visco mattress, memory mattresses, the best mattresses

Thermoelastic foam – properties

As it is repeatedly stated in various advertisements, thermoelastic foam was developed on behalf of NASA in 1970. The purpose of introducing memory foam to the market was to improve seat cushioning and provide greater protection in crashes. Therefore, it is to serve primarily to protect pilots and passengers of aircraft, and secondly to protect cosmonauts.

Therefore, thermoelastic foam was created as a material for the production of furniture, and above all, seats used in transport. It allows for cushioning and increases safety when sitting on a seat in a moving vehicle. Provided, however, that it takes place in a relatively short time, and with full awareness. This cannot be translated into sleep, during which we are unconscious, and at the same time our muscles are completely relaxed.

Initially available, i.e. several decades ago, thermoelastic foam was closed-cell foam, i.e. having a closed cell structure, but equipped with membranes. These gave the first thermoelastic foams a limited ability to circulate air in the range of 1 dm3 per minute to 30 dm3 per minute.

There are also more modern thermoelastic foams. They are more hydrophilic, which increases their air permeability to 60 dm3 per minute. However, this is still a worse result than guaranteed by HR foams. In addition, these values ​​are given with the memory foam fully expanded and without pressure.
Thermoelastic foam can be produced in two different technologies: pneumatic or chemical.
Like any polyurethane foam, also thermoelastic foam consists of isocyanates and polyols as well as catalysts and inhibitors. However, in the case of thermoelastic foam, its functionality is primarily influenced by the production method. Its quality depends on whether it is produced by a commonly used chemical method or by a rare pneumatic method.
 
Thermoelastic foam produced by a chemical method is simply cheaper to produce. This is why most mattress manufacturers use this type of mattress. In most, if not all, cases, the cells of such memory foam are not open or their perforation is insufficient. This, in turn, negatively affects its viscosity and dynamics, because it sinks deeper and returns to its original shape more slowly. In addition, the air permeability of the thermoelastic foam produced in this way is negligible.
 
A more expensive, but definitely better version of thermoelastic foam is the one produced by the pneumatic method. It has a different structure of cells, which are additionally more strongly perforated. So they sink a little shallower, and in addition, they let air through better and remain resilient to a greater extent.

It should also be noted that the thermoelastic foam produced by the pneumatic method is a guarantee of production stability and repeatable quality. This, in turn, is not provided by the one produced by a chemical method, where too much depends on the case.
Thermoelastic foam, memory mattresses, viscoelastic mattress, sleeping on foam

Thermoelastic foam – in the first layer

Placing thermoelastic foam in the first layer of the mattress causes that it has almost direct contact with the person sleeping on the memory mattress. A mattress cover, bedding or pajamas do not protect us from its many disadvantages.

Thermoelastic foam placed in this way will therefore collapse directly under the weight of a person, as well as by the natural temperature of the human body. At the same time, getting up from such a mattress will not quickly return it to its original shape. Hence, these types of mattresses are also called memory foam mattresses.

When you lie down on the mattress, which contains thermoelastic foam in the first layer, its perforated cells let the air out, and when you release the pressure very slowly, even for several dozen minutes, they force it back inside.

The low speed of re-inflating them with air is due to the fact that thermoelastic foam is distinguished by having a viscosity, which makes it similar to liquids. Hence, it is also called viscoelastic foam or lazy foam.

The collapse of the thermoelastic foam means that the human body is not in a physiological position all night, as a result of which the natural curves of the spine are not properly emphasized. This can aggravate the degeneration of the spine, as well as other diseases, such as discopathy.

In addition, it affects the incorrect positioning of the hips and legs. Thus, for people with a hip endoprosthesis, mattresses with thermoelastic foam in the first layer can be extremely dangerous. They also intensify the symptoms of menopause by increasing sweating.
Layered mattress, foam mattresses, mattress store, manufacturer

Thermoelastic foam – in the second layer

The thermoelastic foam placed in the second layer of the mattress has much more advantages, and its obvious disadvantages are practically completely eliminated. Of course, only when thermoelastic foam is used in a high-resilience mattress of the highest class. If it is found in a mattress with coconut or a spring mattress, its use ceases to have any sense and meaning. Especially when it is accompanied by layers of closed-cell foam, which will quickly bend and collapse.

Placing thermoelastic foam in the second layer of the mattress, the first layer of which is highly elastic foam, increases its ability to circulate air. This is due to the fact that the cells of highly elastic foam remain open and allow air to flow in many directions.

At the same time, it does not affect other properties of the thermoelastic foam, which allows for optimal contouring of the sleeping person's body, without the risk of collapse. In this way, the physiological curves of the spine are emphasized and properly supported. With the layered construction of the Osaka Air mattress, we can better protect our health. This makes it the best mattress for people suffering from lumbar spine pain, but also experiencing other ailments.

The use of highly elastic foam in the first layer of the Osaka Air mattress, and only in its second layer of thermoelastic foam, translates into the freedom to change the sleeping position. It also provides the best dynamics among the mattresses available on the market. In addition, it does not transfer movements, isolating them around one person, which increases sleep satisfaction for other people sleeping on the same mattress.

ONSEN® offers the Osaka Air mattress, which is the best mattress available on the market. It meets the needs of even the most demanding consumers, meeting all 10 basic functionalities of the mattress, and also having the status of a first-class medical device.

All ONSEN® products are subject to a 15-year warranty and a 100-day return policy, which minimizes the risk of purchase to zero. Thanks to this, we share the confidence and trust we have in our mattress with everyone who cares about the best product.
 
We also encourage you to read the other articles on the best sleep and health blog, as well as the Encyclopedia of Healthy Sleep prepared by the team of ONSEN® specialists.
Highly elastic mattress, thermoelastic foam, memory mattresses, memory foam

FAQ: Thermoelastic foam

What is thermoelastic foam?

Thermoelastic foam is a type of polyurethane foam. As the only one of them, it is characterized by viscosity, which is why it is also called viscoelastic foam, as well as lazy foam. It is very sensitive to temperature and pressure, so it collapses under the human body.

Is thermoelastic foam healthy?

Yes and no. Thermoelastic foam is healthy in that it does not contain dangerous ingredients. Like any polyurethane foam, it is a hostile environment for microorganisms, which makes it an anti-allergic product. However, the use of thermoelastic foam in the first layer of the mattress is not healthy for the spine, because it does not support it properly. In addition, it does not provide adequate support for the head, hips and limbs.

Is it worth buying a memory foam mattress?

Yes and no. It is worth buying a mattress that has thermoelastic foam in the second layer. This gives the opportunity to eliminate the defects inherent in thermoelastic foam. However, it is not worth buying mattresses with thermoelastic foam in the first layer, because they do not provide adequate support for the body and spine, and additionally cause the effect of a mirror reflection of heat.

Does thermoelastic foam warm?

Yes. The thermoelastic foam warms you up during sleep because it causes the effect of a mirror reflection of heat. This type of polyurethane foam collapses under the influence of temperature and body pressure, which causes its cells to close. As a result, the thermoelastic foam becomes a thick layer of airtight polyurethane. Body heat is accumulated by it and released to the outside. Therefore, thermoelastic foam should not be used in the first layer of the mattress.

Does the density and hardness of memory foam matter?

Yes. Both the density of the thermoelastic foam and its hardness are of key importance. It is worth noting, however, that - contrary to popular opinion - these are two completely different parameters. Density is given in kg/m3, and hardness in kPA or N (newtons). Therefore, when buying a mattress with a memory foam layer, you should always request both values.

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