Memory foam air mattresses are developed using visco-elastic foam material that nicely conforms to each person's shape and returns to a normal position once the body pressure is lifted. That's why it is called a memory foam air mattress. It allows for body weight pressure to be evenly distributed on the surface of the foam and to adjust accordingly fitting the movements of the body.What gives this piece of foam memory is the addition of certain chemicals -- synthetic polyurethane foam material to increases the weight and compactness of the foam creating what is known as a non-toxic visco- elastic foam material.
To determine if a material is visco-elastic, it has to be sensitive to temperature and have the ability to bounce back to its original shape. Memory foams are graded by visco-elasticity and sturdiness by determining the following grading system:
* Weight (density on pounds per square foot) - the higher the density the more visco-elastic it will become
* ILD rating (indentation load deflection) - this will indicate how hard or soft a material is and the higher the ILD, the firmer the foam
* Resilience - this measures the foam's springiness. The higher the resilience, the better.* Tensile - this refers to how much the foam can be stretched and elongated
The following are a few qualities to watch out for when looking for a good memory foam air mattress:
* Good contouring ability meaning it should be able to shape and disperse your body weight accordingly
* A good memory foam air mattress will not need a box spring underneath to make the mattress feel good.
* Check out the warranty that the company offers
Memory foam air mattresses come highly recommended for those who suffer joint pain, body aches and for those who have the habit of sleeping on their back or stomach.
Foam - Just What on Earth is It?Just what on earth is foam? It is a question that has plagued mankind for centuries. Well, alright, maybe not. Nevertheless, foam has long been a mysterious material, yet useful in many ways, not least for insulation and packaging.
Put simply, foam is plastic that has been melted, had bubbles of gas forced into it, and then been left to re-form. This produces a cheap, soft, spongy material, which can then be sliced into specific shapes or simply minced up into pellets.
The kind of foam you’re probably familiar with is packing foam. Anytime you order something (or sometimes when you just buy it in a shop), it will come wrapped in a box surrounded by foam to protect it. This works because even relatively small amounts of foam are capable of taking the force of a large impact, preventing the object that is being protected from ever hitting a hard surface and being damaged.
Packing foam comes in many forms: sheets, pellets (‘packing peanuts’), blocks, and more. If you want some, the best thing to do is probably buy it from an office supplies store or, in larger quantities, direct from a supplier. If you have things delivered in packing foam often, then you might also consider re-using that foam – after all, while foam is disposable, there’s absolutely no reason not to use it more than once.
The other kind of foam that you might encounter at some point in your life is insulating foam. This foam might even be in your walls right now as you’re reading this article, without you even knowing it. The advantage of filling your walls with foam is that it can be easily squirted in through a relatively small hole, providing effective insulation without you having to do too much work on the wall. Like with packing, foam insulation is both cheap and effective, not to mention easy to use.
How to Use Memory Foam Mattress Pads
Memory foam, the gel-like polyurethane material that holds impressions on its surface, is mostly associated with mattress pads. The memory foam mattress pad was first put to use in hospitals in the 1980s, where the material proved itself invaluable in reducing pressure sores for bedridden patients. In the 1990s, the memory foam mattress pad was introduced to the general public, at pretty exorbitant prices. Realizing its potential for popularity, private companies worldwide began marketing their own versions. Now, more and more people are investing in good sleep thanks to memory foam, as prices continue to decline and accommodate the growing market.
The terms “memory foam mattress topper”, “memory foam topper”, “memory foam mattress pad”, and “memory foam pad” are all interchangeable. A memory foam mattress pad provides much of the comfort and support of a memory foam mattress, at a fraction of the cost. You place the mattress pad on an existing bed, preferably one with plenty of firm support.
The pad must be broken in over a period of days or weeks. Try sleeping directly on top of the foam, rather than on a sheet covering it, to speed the process of breaking it in.
Memory foam, despite the breathability of its open-celled composition, can sometimes heat up, making it somewhat uncomfortable to sleep on. Many retailers and manufacturers recognize this, and recommend trying the mattress pad with and without a top sheet. You might find a great difference in temperature. You can also try lowering your room temperature.
On the other hand, memory foam is temperature-sensitive, so the mattress might be too hard for you if your room temperature is below 65. If this is a problem, try warming your memory foam mattress with an electric blanket before going to bed.
If you want to protect your memory foam mattress pad from spills and accidents, you can buy covers made from a blend of soft cotton and water-resistant polymers. You can often obtain a memory foam mattress cover from the same place you bought your mattress.