Hello,
Do you know about a product called VISCO ELASTIC LATEX FOAM?
in my search for a natural (non-toxic) memory foam, i found a listing for Puralux Memory Foam - that offers a combination of the qualities of memory foam and the non-toxicity of latex
Do you know about it… or do you know if it is a hoax?
Thanks,
Anna
Hello Anna,
I am a person who just recently started handling this product in person. It is indeed a type of latex based visco elastic foam. I do not know if I would say that it is truly non-toxic because even synthetic latex has a degree of toxicity to it. And this is certainly a blended product however I do not know what it is added give the foam its visco elastic qualities. For what it is worth even though is is unscientific it smells the same as the regular Puralux Latex product that is a 50/50 blend of natural and synthetic latex.
Regards.
Daniel
Thank you Daniel. From what you’ve said I am guessing the synthetic part is likely composed of the same substance as regular memory foam. If that is the case, it is half as toxic as regular memory foam.
In this case the synthetic part would be the same synthetic part that is used in most latex foams not memory foams.
Latex can be made out of natural rubber (made by mother nature), or styrene butadiene rubber (made from pertroleum).
Most latex sold in North America is a blend of these two ingredients. And this is also the case of the visco like latex foams.
Memory foam is made of a different polymer material called polyurethane.
Some latex sold here is 100% natural rubber, but you have to be careful you are actually getting this if you truly want a natural product.
wow - I really appreciate your detailed answer. thank you, it’s very clear now.
Hi annaDV,
There’s little I can add to what Daniel has said (he’s one of the most knowledgeable people I know in the industry) except to say that there are currently 4 companies I know of that have some form of slow recovery latex foam available. These are latex international, Latexco (which is the Puralux), GommaGomma, and Radium.
I have contacts at two of these and I hope to be able to find out exactly what they each use to turn a fast recovery foam (latex) into a slow recovery foam (as soon as the people I have talked to are able to find out from the chemists at least to the degree that they can disclose a “trade secret”). My guess is that it’s some form of plasticiser but of course it could also be viscoelastic polyurethane mixed in the formula or any of the other methods that could give latex a slower recovery. If I’m able to find out I will certainly post the details on the forum.
Phoenix