Foam rubber can be used as a mattress filling.
Gomaespuma is the name of an industrial product that, according to the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) in its dictionary, can also be named as foam rubber (that is, separating the terms rubber and foam ).
Before focusing on the definition itself, it is interesting to note that a gum is a viscous substance secreted by certain plants. The term comes from the Vulgar Latin gumma , which derives from cummi or gummi and has its most distant ancestor in the Greek kómmi . A foam , meanwhile, is a mass of bubbles joined together with a certain consistency.
What is foam rubber
Specifically, foam rubber is a soft, spongy material that is produced industrially, generally with latex or polyurethane . In fact, it is also known as polyurethane foam .
In the case of latex foam , it is manufactured with the juice obtained from the inside of different vegetables. It should be noted that latex has a highly complex composition, and can be used as food or to obtain rubber and other substances according to the species.
Polyurethane foam , on the other hand, is made with a synthetic resin that is obtained when polyesters are condensed. While a resin is a pasty or solid element that is soluble in alcohol and insoluble in water , a polyester is itself a resin that is achieved with the polymerization of styrene.
Main features
It can be said that foam rubber is a porous material that is formed by the annexation of bubbles . Its formulation can be varied, so there are foam rubbers with multiple properties (more or less hard, flexible, dense, etc.).
An important piece of information when choosing a foam rubber is to know its density . This magnitude reflects the relationship that exists in the mass and volume of the material, which means that it is associated with weight. This density, however, has nothing to do with hardness or behavior, variables related to additives and the production method.
Foam rubber is also used in sofas and armchairs.
Uses of foam rubber
The manufacture of foam rubber is a process that takes place quickly. Working with it, in turn, is easy due to its characteristics and because foam rubber can be purchased in different sizes and shapes depending on the use that will be given to it.
At a general level, it can be said that foam rubber is flexible and resistant. It exhibits good tolerance to humidity and abrasion and has the ability to resist and cushion impacts. In any case, we must not forget that elasticity depends on the type of foam.
One of the most frequent uses of foam rubber is as a filler for pillows , cushions , cushions , mattresses and padding . It is also used as an acoustic and thermal insulator and as a material for footwear , clothing and toys .
From radio program to foundation
It is interesting to mention that Gomaespuma is the name of a Spanish radio program born in the 1980s , hosted by Guillermo Fesser and Juan Luis Cano . This duo is also known as Gomaespuma .
This program gave rise to a television show and the creation of a foundation of the same name. Through this organization created by Fesser and Cano, different charitable actions are carried out.