Latex foam

Dining chair
MFA# 2001.655.1

Description

A light, spongy rubber sourced from the rubber tree Hevea Brasiliensis. First produced in 1929, it is made by mechanically whipping air into the rubber latex prior to curing. Foam rubber turns yellow and becomes powdery when exposed to sunlight. Latex foam is known for its elasticity, comfort and breathability.

Synonyms and Related Terms

foamed rubber; foam rubber; caoutchouc mousse (Fr.); schuimrubber (Ned);

Applications

• Mattresses, pillows, cushions
• Insulation

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Eco-friendly
• Open-cell foam
• Weight = 5.5 lb/cft
• Density = 3-5 gm/ml
• Lifespan = 15 years

Resources and Citations

• Foam How: [https://foamhow.com/what-is-latex-foam-uses-pros-cons-comparisons-guide/ What is Latex Foam/}
• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 754
• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, https://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000