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Latex Rubber is a complex fluid made up of
different chemicals and displaying varying characteristics depending on its
type. In basic terms, we can define it as a milky fluid exuded from the rubber plant.
There are 2 different types of latex rubber: Latex natural rubber (NR)
and Latex synthetic rubber . Synthetic rubber comprises:
Polyisoprene (IR); Polybutadiene (also known as Buna rubber (BR)); Styrene –
Butadiene copolymer (Buna-S rubber (SBR)); Ethylene – Propylene copolymer
(EPDM); Polyisobutylene (Butyl rubber); Polychloroprene (Neoprene rubber (CR));
Acrylonitrile – Butadiene copolymer (Nitrile rubber); Polyacrylate;
Polyurethane (PU); Polysilicone (Silicone). Each type of rubber has its own
characteristics due to the differences in chemical structure. There are many
kinds of latex synthetic rubber and currently manufacturers use latex synthetic
rubber SBR to make mattresses.
Latex natural rubber (NR):
Also called Latex Polyisoprene Natural Rubber is exuded from the rubber plant,
mainly from Hevea Brasiliensis (Euphorbiaceae family) by tapping.
 There are two different stages in the structuring of Latex NR:
Latex synthetic rubber SBR: the
method used to form SBR is by polymerising two monomers, Styrene and Butadiene (a method which has generally been used to synthesize polymer chemicals). As a
result, Styrene – Butadiene copolymer rubber does not have the same structural
characteristics as Polyisoprene natural rubber. Products made from SBR have
less physio-mechanical characteristics (strength, elasticity, ...).
In particular, airy Latex mattresses made from SBR are more likely to flatten.
However, due to low chemical synthesis, synthetic rubber ages slower when
exposed to lighting, ozone or temperature than natural rubber.
There are two different stages in the structuring of SBR:
- Dispersing stage: formation of Styrene – Butadiene copolymer which comes from
rubber molecules.
- Serum stage: formation mainly from water and other catalysts to produce a
polymerisation reaction.
In summary, products (including Kymdan mattresses) made out of latex natural rubber have
better physio-mechnical characteristics (break-free and resilience features)
than those of synthetic rubber. These products can be more vulnerable to aging
when exposed to sunlight, high temperatures, ozone or oil-solvent than that of
synthetic rubber. Therefore, manufacturers have to add more adjuvant to avoid
these effects. Nevertheless natural rubber is more environmentally friendly
than SR, whereas, synthetic rubber will decompose more easily than natural
rubber.
TECHNICAL AND ESTHETIC ASPECTS OF LATEX
MATTRESSES
The following table will show the different aspects of Latex
mattresses after vulcanisation
Types
|
Target
|
100% Natural
Rubber mattress
|
100% Synthetic
Rubber mattresses
|
Nature
of materials
|
Original
contents
|
C – H |
C – H |
| Degree of
polarisation |
Almost not polarised
|
Almost not polarised |
| Concentration
of molecules
|
High |
Low |
| Density |
High |
Low |
| Homogeneity
of molecules
|
High |
Medium |
| Degree
of harmonization |
Very high |
Medium |
| Linking
order
|
Very high |
Medium |
| Degree of
binding
|
Medium |
Medium |
| Saturation |
High |
Medium |
| Technical characteristics
|
Elasticity |
High |
Medium |
| Degree of
deformity
|
Low |
High |
| Degree of
Durability |
High |
Medium |
| Durability |
Low |
Medium |
| External
features/properties
|
Colour |
Creamy |
Ivory white |
| Smell |
Light
to strong
|
No smell |
| Degree of
elasticity |
Fairly high |
Low |
| Degree of
flattening |
Low |
Fairly high
|
| Degree of
comfort and relaxation |
High |
Medium |
| Fading speed |
Fast |
Slow |
| Level of
environmental friendliness
|
High |
Low |
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Latex natural rubber is more vulnerable to ageing than Latex synthetic rubber,
however, Kymdan has its own mattress making secret that
allows its mattresses to last for over 20 years on average . In
fact, research shows that its aging index is more than 0.8.
-
Compared with mattresses made of 100% Natural Rubber or 100% Synthetic SBR,
mattresses made of Mixage will have the characteristics of mediation.
-
According to surveys , Kymdan customers - especially
our Japanese customers who use sophisticated testing devices - certified
that Kymdan mattresses made from 100% natural latex are of better quality in comparison to those produced by
other manufacturers:
-
The physio-mechanical characteristics in Kymdan mattress are higher than those
of other manufacturers in the world’s markets.
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Kymdan mattresses have a firmness that gives comfort and relaxation especially
to those suffering from back pain.
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Kymdan mattresses do not give off a rubbery smell but rather a perfume that
customers find pleasant.
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Kymdan mattresses contain fire-resistant properties which comply with
fire-proof requirements against combustion sources such as cigarette butts.
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Kymdan mattresses repel insects.
- How to distinguish between a natural latex mattress and a synthetic mattress?:
When it burns
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The sample of natural latex mattress becomes slimy, gluey and viscous while it’s on fire.
-
The sample of synthetic rubber (SBR) does not become slimy or glutinous but dry soot particles are formed when it burns.
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