Understanding the physical characteristics of a material is vital to being sure that it has the capabilities to perform the job it needs to. When dealing with foam, density is perhaps the most important characteristic, equally vital in your beds and mattress as it is in cushions or acoustics. Knowing how density is found and understanding how to apply its value to products can help you make sure you get a foam product right for your needs.
The density of all foam products is measured the same way, so whether you’re looking for mattresses for back pain or memory foam cushions for softening dining room chairs, you can know you will be comparing apples to apples.
Density is found by the weighing of a cubic block sample of a given foam material; it’s that simple. There aren’t any mathematical modifications or a special formula that measurements are pushed through to find a density value. If a cubic block of neoprene measures six pounds, that batch of neoprene is six pound density. Because of the variances and formulas that exist in foam manufacturing, each individual foam maker provides manufacturers and retailers with info sheets that list the tested values of that particular batch formulation. This means a particular type of foam doesn’t carry universal density figures. They are often within a similar range, but each batch needs to be tested on its own. 20 different companies can be selling bulk neoprene and there could be 20 different densities across all 20 companies.
In addition to the obvious in regard to weight, foam density is best used to assess the quality of a material. This does not include the feel or firmness of a material; an important difference. Because foam is made of its physical cell structure and air, greater density materials mean there is more performance product and less empty air. With density testing standardized, a four pound density material has twice as much actual foam performance product in the same space as a two pound density material. Basically, this is twice as much material working for you, and taking longer to eventually wear out as well. Knowing what density actually means as well as how it is found can help you make better informed material decisions.