Viscoelastic foam, also known as NASA memory foam, was developed for space programs in the 1970s to reduce pressure points experienced by astronauts. It was later adapted for hospital beds and sold to the general public for home use. The foam adapts to the body’s heat and weight, reducing pressure and providing comfortable support. Memory foam products are less likely to harbor dust mites, but can generate excessive heat. Surface Modified Technology (SMT) can reduce heat build-up. Beware of imitation manufacturers and check for inconsistencies in foam density.
Viscoelastic foam is a material developed for body support during sleep. Its effectiveness is due to its unique ability to reduce pressure, provide comfortable support and relieve pain caused by prolonged stiffness. Most foam today can be found at furniture retailers, as it is used in mattress overlays, mattress pads, and pillows. Also known as NASA memory foam, viscoelastic foam was first invented for space programs in the 1970s to reduce the pressure points experienced by astronauts. The G-forces generated during liftoff caused uncomfortable feelings for the astronauts in their flight chairs, and the foam was able to provide this much-needed orthopedic support.
Years later, viscoelastic foam was adapted from the medical field for hospital beds, resulting in better physical comfort for patients. It was then that the material was sold to the general public for home use and became popular to the point that products made from it are used worldwide in households. One of the most recognized brands of these products is Tempur-Pedic. It has marketed its bedding and orthopedic accessories by claiming it helps relieve disturbed sleep, numbness caused by poor circulation, and aligns the vertebrae, leading to long-term better posture and overall health.
The foam works by adapting to the body’s natural heat and weight. It adjusts itself to accommodate various pressure points, such as the shoulders and hips, which are the areas of the body that press hardest into the bed. Depending on where you sleep, the pressure points differ. However, without proper support, any sleeping position can lead to pain or discomfort. Viscoelastic foam consists of open cells, which pass air to adjacent cells when pressed. That way, even when the mattress or pillow feels hard at first, it’s able to conform to the shape of your body or head.
In addition to its widely revered ability to help people get a better night’s sleep, memory foam products are less likely to harbor dust mites, which tend to breed, reproduce and proliferate in traditional box spring mattresses. Dust mites are often found in an environment with high humidity and dead skin cells, which they feed on for food. The end products generated by dust mites create allergic reactions and other respiratory problems for humans, making them unwanted pests. This foam is less likely to provide that kind of environment given its structure and high density.
The number one complaint of users of viscoelastic foam products is the excessive heat generated by use. Since the material is sensitive to heat, it traps heat within its open cells. Manufacturers claim, however, that the environment and your own body heat contribute to this increase in temperature. Research has been done to find solutions to this problem, one of which is Surface Modified Technology (SMT). SMT is a patented series of grooves that can be cut into the foam surface to reduce the amount of heat build-up by allowing air to enter and circulate underneath the sheets. This method is also known as HRC (Heat Reduction Channels) system.
When looking for high quality memory foam furniture for your home, beware of imitation manufacturers. Some factories mix formaldehyde and other fixers into their foam and try to sell it as this product. These chemicals can create severe allergic reactions and a very unpleasant smell. A good quality product does not visibly flake or break.
It is also important to check for inconsistencies in foam density as manufacturing procedures differ. One way to make a mattress is to pour liquid foam into trays and peel them off like cookie sheets. The problem occurs when gravity causes the foam to get denser and denser towards the bottom. State-of-the-art technology has bypassed this first method by creating it in a vacuum chamber. Called vacuum injection, this manufacturing process creates a foam product of uniform density and ultimately a high-quality mattress topper, pillow, or cushion.
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