WHAT IS LATEX ?
WHAT IS LATEX ?:
Latex or 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 |
-
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 0.85
-
Compared with mattresses made of 100% Natural Rubber or 100%
Synthetic SBR, mattresses made of Mixage will have the
characteristics of mediation.
-
Regarding our 100% NR mattresses, available in all international markets,
survey results focusing on selected technical criteria and customers’
evaluation and reliability, particularly our Japanese counterparts and
customers, equipped with up-to-date measurement facilities, show that KYMDAN
mattresses with 100% natural latex rubber (thanks to the optimal technological
know-how) are by far outstanding in terms of quality:
-
The physio-mechanical factors of the mentioned products are by far preeminent
compared to other rubber mattresses available in the world market.
-
Kymdan mattresses have a firmness that gives comfort and relaxation especially
to those suffering from back pain. ( details...) -
Kymdan mattresses do not give off a rubbery smell but rather a perfume that
customers find pleasant.
-
Kymdan mattresses contain fire-resistant
( details...)
properties which comply with fire-proof requirements against combustion sources
such as cigarette butts.
-
Kymdan mattresses repel insects.
-
Other predominant characteristics...
(details...)
-
How to distinguish between a natural latex
mattress and a synthetic mattress?:
When it burns
-
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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