Dunlop Latex ILDs please explain this

Say a Dunlop layer is 6 inches of height and say its ILD is 28.

then if the 6 inch layer of this 28 ILD dunlop latex is cut into 2 layers of 3 inches each would ILD of each of those 3 inch layers still be 28?

Hi fdb,

The ILD of latex is measured on the original core and then any layers that are cut from the core would have the same ILD rating regardless of how thick they are. The ILD isn’t retested for individual layers once the original core is tested.

In the case of Dunlop … the top can be firmer than the bottom of the core so a 3" layer that comes from the top half of a core can be softer than a 3" layer cut from the same core that comes from the bottom half even though they would both have the ILD rating of the original core.

ILD is also also only one of the specs that creates the sensation of the softness or firmness of a layer (see post #4 here).

I would also be aware that ILD can be tested in different ways (most commonly at 25% compression but in some cases at 40% compression) and that the thickness of the original core that is tested will also have a significant effect on the ILD rating and ILD may not always be comparable between different materials or different types of latex (see post #6 here)

Phoenix

In the case of Dunlop … the top can be firmer than the bottom of the core so a 3" layer that comes from the top half or a core can be softer than a 3" layer cut from the same core that comes from the bottom half even though they would both have the ILD rating of the original core.

I did not understand this part. What do you mean?

Hi fdb,

When a Dunlop core is poured in a mold the rubber latex particles can settle so one side of the 6" core can be softer than the other (it would be firmer and denser on the bottom than on the top).

If you cut the 6" layer into two 3" layers then the layer that came from the top 3" of the original core would be less dense and softer than than the layer that came from the bottom half or the original core even though they both carried the same firmness rating from the original 6" core.

Phoenix