Hello,
Can anyone tell me exactly how to identify Talalay from Dunlop latex visually? Can they be identified simply by looking at them or if you can’t tell them apart by looking at them how can you identify Talalay from Dunlop?.
Thanks in Advance.
Hi baddog,
There is no “exact” way to identify one vs the other because both types of latex can vary widely in terms of their appearance.
The color of both types of latex can vary depending on the type and blend of the latex and even from batch to batch or between different manufacturers but Talalay will often be lighter than Dunlop and in the range of whiter or creamier or slightly yellower while Dunlop will tend to be a little darker in the tan range or gray range although both can have some discoloration that may be more orange or brown.
The cell structure of Talalay will usually be more consistent and rounder with thicker cell walls while the cell structure of Dunlop will usually be more varied and have more inconsistencies or voids and have more of a “star” shape.
The pincores of Talalay will generally be “cleaner” or “sharper” on the edges while the pincores of Dunlop can often have some irregularities on the edges (although this applies more to molded Dunlop than continuous pour Dunlop).
A google image search on Dunlop vs Talalay (you can just click the link) will also give you a good sense of some of the visual differences between them as well … particularly if they are closeups so you can see the cell structure.
Because of how much they can each vary (Dunlop more than Talalay) it can be somewhat misleading to take any of these specifics too literally when it comes to a specific latex layer and the most reliable way to know which type of latex you are ordering will be to deal with a reliable supplier but this should give you some idea of how to differentiate them.
Phoenix
Thanks Phoenix,
Sounds like experience is the key here although after looking at the pics in google I definitely can see a difference now. Thanks so much … very much appreciated!
This is a representative piece made by Latex International. 1 of 6six pieces, all with similar discrepancies. Blocked pincores along with irregular shaped pincores.
It probably doesn’t affect the performance, but it most likely is what arrives at the door, versus the touched up or perfect pieces chosen for marketing photos.
Hi PapaMike,
Thanks for the picture. The layer in your picture quite “clean” and I don’t see any discrepancies or “irregularities” that would in any way affect the quality, feel, or performance of the latex.
All latex pincores are “blocked” because The pincores in latex don’t go through the entire molded core. A latex mold has pincores in both the top and bottom of the mold that don’t meet in the middle so unless a layer is slit from a section of the original 6" molded core that only includes the top or bottom pincore holes the holes will only go part way through the latex and this is normal. The depth of the holes will also depend on where the layer is cut from the original core. You can see some videos of how different types of molded latex is made in post #3 here. You can also see some pictures here of Latex cores which show the top and bottom pincores. The breathability of latex comes from the open cell structure of the latex.
Phoenix
Hi Phoenix,
I understand that cores are not punched through. I was referring to the cores that a blocked on both ends as shown clearly in the picture.
It looks like the pincores were not punched out.
I have a piece of furniture with Radium Foam, smaller holes, and no unpunched pincores.
Hi PapaMike,
The holes in molded latex aren’t “punched” out but are in the actual mold itself (although the continuous pour Dunlop made by Latexco doesn’t use any pincores to cure the latex so their latex layers can either be solid or they can punch holes into the latex afterwards). Some of the pincores in the mold may have been missing or it’s possible that they were slitting the layer right on the edge of the pincore depth so any slight inconsistencies in a perfectly “flat” cut could have resulted in some of the pincores being “blocked” (although I don’t think this is the case based on how it looks) but either way it won’t have any effect on the latex.
Phoenix