Foam rubber for furniture, advantages and disadvantages of this material

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Furniture foam rubber

One of the areas of application of foam rubber is the production of upholstered furniture; foam rubber is used in almost all types of sofas, mattresses, armchairs and chairs.

Features of upholstery of upholstered furniture;
Main indicators of the quality of furniture foam rubber;
Purpose of various brands of furniture foam rubber;
Choice of material.

How to choose foam for upholstered furniture

28.07.2021

Over time, even in high-quality and expensive upholstered furniture, the seats and backs are compressed and deformed. If the sofa or chair is still in good condition, then you can repair it yourself by replacing the filling with a new one. You can use foam rubber (foamed polyurethane) as it. But there are many types on the market, each of which has both positive and negative reviews on the Internet. And an unprepared buyer will simply get confused in this diversity. We talk about what type of foam rubber to use for a sofa or other upholstered furniture in this article.

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Key quality indicators

It is easy to find out the quality of padding materials for repairing sofas and armchairs. Even a non-specialist can handle this. Don't know how to choose the right foam for your sofa? Look at the basic features of the material:

Density, or polyurethane foam content in kilograms per 1 cubic meter . The most important indicator that also determines rigidity, service life, and the ability to restore its original shape. The density of high quality foam rubber starts at 25 kg per cubic meter and more. The denser material is also more reliable; it will last up to 7 years without tearing or deformation.
Compressive stress, or stiffness . This parameter (expressed in kPa) tells us how much force needs to be applied to compress the foam by 40%. Affects the level of deformation and service life of products in which the brand of foam rubber was used. Hard polyurethane foam lasts longer and can withstand more weight.

These 2 indicators are basic and are indicated in the name of the PU foam brands. But in order to accurately choose the “filling” for the sofa, pay attention to 5 more characteristics.

A material that is too elastic (pliable) is not suitable for furniture; a longer service life of the padding is ensured by stiffer, denser foam rubber. When testing for strength, the fabric is stretched by 150% of the original length - a sample suitable for production does not tear. Deformation (the ability to quickly return to its original shape) is determined by compressing the polyurethane foam by 50%. The support coefficient reflects how evenly the load will be distributed in it when pressed. And the last characteristic, comfort, is determined by the touch - the high-quality filler is pleasant and soft.

Advantages and disadvantages

The material is polyurethane foam, which consists of many cells filled with air. The raw material is used to impart elasticity to furniture items. Many users choose this particular filler as an internal component of sofas and upholstered chairs. This distribution is due to the following advantages:

No additives or processing mixtures are used in the production of the material, which means that furniture foam rubber is safe for humans. It does not emit substances harmful to health and does not cause allergies, so it can be safely used for furniture in a children's room;
polyurethane foam is not affected by fungus, because it is moisture resistant. Even with high air humidity in the room, the chances of mold spores appearing are negligible;
The material can be used in different temperature conditions and differences in indicators. Foam rubber retains its qualities in the range from -40 to +100 degrees;
compared to other materials, the filler has improved soundproofing properties, due to which it is able to absorb noise;
foam material has high elasticity and at the same time elasticity. It bends under the weight of a person, but also easily restores its shape after some time.

An undeniable advantage of raw materials is their affordable cost. It is thanks to this indicator that all upholstered furniture, for which foam rubber is used as a filler, has a budget price.

Like any other material, foam rubber has a number of disadvantages, including:

short service life: up to 7 years of daily use;
When the material burns, hazardous substances are released into the atmosphere.

In general, foam rubber has proven itself on the positive side: its dense structure is well suited for sofas, chairs, banquettes, corners and other upholstered furniture.

Types of foam rubber according to its density

So that you are not confused by the complex table and various numbers, I will try to talk about the density of foam rubber more briefly, but at the same time clearly.

There are several main types of this material.

Standard. Marked with the letters ST. Its density is 16-25 kg/cm3;
With increased hardness. This is already marked EL. And the density is within 22-35 units;
Hard. Designated as HL. Its density ranges from 25-50 kg/cm3;
Soft. HS marking. In this case, the density is 20-45 kg/m3;
HR. Highly elastic compositions. Often called latex polyurethane foam. Mainly used in mattresses;
V.E. Highly elastic. It is he who has the memory effect.

A little later I will tell you which PPU can be used for certain tasks.

But it is a mistake to think that when choosing a material you need to look only at the density, which can be 22 kg/m3, 25, 30 units, sometimes even 40.

How to make a pattern for a cushion for stools and chairs

Materials, filler and small elements

Before sewing a chair cushion with your own hands, here are step-by-step instructions to help:

Make a pattern (2 parts), outlining the shape of the seat in any convenient way, or draw a template based on measurements, if the “seat” is of the correct round or square shape.

Pattern – 1 piece with a one-piece clasp bar made of the main fabric and another without a bar, a double bar of length AB for the lower part of the clasp and 4 pieces as high as the side and as long as the perimeter of the chair backrest

We quilt the bar and side with squares with padding polyester to add rigidity.

We fold the fasteners in half with the right side inward, stitch them, turn them inside out, stitch them for strength and sew on Velcro.

We grind the button strip from the short ends, turn it inside out, stitch along the edge and sew it to the bottom of the pillow

We pin and sew the side to the bottom of the pillow, stitch along the edge of the side

We sew down a one-piece bar with a seat along the short sides, turn it inside out, stitch it along all sides, punch through the loops

We tuck our foam rubber blank inside, fasten the buttons, Velcro and you can sit

As you can see, it’s nothing complicated if you have at least basic sewing skills.

Polyurethane foam brands

When considering the options for which foam rubber to choose for furniture, first of all pay attention to the brand of the proposed material: it determines the main indicators, and the numbers that follow clarify the information (density and hardness):

ST – standard, produced on the basis of standard polyol, used as a filler in the manufacture of upholstered furniture, chairs, armchairs, decorative walls;
HL, EL – hard and the hardest, ST modifications with increased rigidity, used for seats and mattresses with expected increased load;
HS – soft, ultra-soft, made from a special polyol, used for backs and mattress underlay;
HR – increased elasticity and comfort, used for the production of luxury furniture.

There are several more varieties (RTS, RL, VE, secondary foam rubber), and the list is constantly expanding.

How to choose foam for a sofa

If you need to replace the filling in a sofa, consider a few nuances:

the material must be at least 3 cm thick;
density – from 28 kg/m³ and above;
indicators of rigidity and elasticity (in the marking).

Transportation

Polyurethane foam is highly absorbent; it absorbs liquids, dust and dirt microparticles well. Packaging of polyurethane foam must ensure its quality during storage and transportation.

High porosity allows you to significantly reduce the volume of material during transportation. However, you should pay attention that after unpacking, the foam rubber partially loses its declared properties. To preserve its characteristics, it is better not to subject polyurethane foam to significant compression when packaging.

Features of upholstery of upholstered furniture

During use, furniture becomes unsuitable for further use, and it is not always possible to purchase new furniture. Basically, the upholstery wears out, fades, breaks - it all depends on how high-quality the material is. Sofas trimmed with leatherette may become unusable within a few months. What to do in such a situation?

The appearance of the sofa has changed dramatically after restoration

Cutting polyurethane foam

A soft, elastic material with small cells, foam rubber causes certain difficulties when it is necessary to give it a given shape. In industry, until recently, cutting presses were used. The creation of a shaped matrix, necessary for this type of processing, influenced the increase in the cost of the final product.

Currently, CNC laser machines are widely used. New devices significantly expand the use of polyurethane foam due to the ability to cut products of complex configurations without a significant increase in labor intensity. Laser cutting is performed silently, quickly, and no solid waste is generated during the cutting process.

Tips for choosing

Before you purchase furniture foam rubber, you must learn to read the labeling. You should not try to save on the quality of the filler, as this will affect the functionality, aesthetics, and durability of the finished structure. When choosing a material, you need to consider a number of recommendations:

the minimum thickness of the sheets must be at least 3 cm, the density of foam rubber for furniture is from 25 kg/m 3;
if the filler is purchased in a store, you need to check whether it holds its shape well using simple tests (squeezing, bending, tactile sensations);
the composition should be studied, especially if polyurethane foam is chosen for children's furniture (some manufacturers add substances that can cause allergies).

The correct name for the material in question is soft polyurethane foam. In Russia, the name foam rubber is common for the reason that several decades ago the main supplier of raw materials was the Porolon company (Norway). Over time, its name became a household name and firmly established itself in the countries of the former USSR.

Polyurethane foam is the most popular and common filler for upholstered furniture. It has significant advantages, against which the disadvantages do not seem so significant. The material is available in a wide range, so you can choose it for the manufacture of different pieces of furniture.

Mounting options

To prevent a hand-made seat from sliding onto a chair, it must be secured. There are several fixation options.

For square stools, it is enough to sew 4 small elastic bands at the corners to the pillow.
The round one is fixed with an elastic band around the perimeter, for which a drawstring is sewn to the product.
You can attach a seat to a chair with a back if you attach 2 ties in the corners and connect them with a knot under the seat. They are usually made from the same material as the fabric of the cover.
The simplest method of fixation is fastening using ordinary Velcro, which is attached to the edges of the pillow.

How to choose a quality filler?

So, if polyurethane foam fits the parameters as a filler for a sofa, you need to know a few rules for choosing a high-quality furniture model or material for restoring an existing one.

To guarantee a quality purchase, you must contact only accredited dealership centers that work with well-known furniture brands. Or to trusted online stores of well-known factories.
It is important to read the documents for the sofa, which indicate the markings of the polyurethane foam used. Depending on the purpose of use, moderately hard or hard options are suitable for home furniture.
Decide on the intensity of use of the sofa. If it will be used not only for relaxation, but also for sleeping, as well as in children's rooms where children play on a soft surface, then the hardness of the filler must be appropriate.
You need to carefully check the quality of the upholstery. It should not let the sun's rays through to the polyurethane foam structure, or the sofa should not be placed near the window, where their entry is inevitable.
The elasticity and elasticity of the filler is checked at the time of purchase. If the pressure within a few minutes did not have much effect on the sofa, and its surface returned to its standard state, then these parameters are normal.
A sofa filled with polyurethane foam should not have any bumps, unevenness, bad or unstitched seams.

Before going to the store, it would be a good idea to make a list of questions for the consultant. Otherwise, there is a risk of missing important details. In addition, it is important to listen to his advice, because the specialists have a lot of experience working with furniture. We present to your attention a sale of corner sofas.

PPU release form

The market offers a wide variety of forms, types, brands of polyurethane foam:

1. Leaf.

Manufacturers supply rectangular foam rubber with a thickness of 5 to 1000 mm in standard cuts, or according to individual customer requirements.

2. Rolled.

Reels of various widths are convenient to use, material thickness up to 30 mm. In addition to the usual, manufacturers offer rolled foam rubber made on a backing made of fabric or synthetic materials.

3. Block.

This type of foam rubber is distinguished by a hard, non-porous surface (before processing). In addition to cubic ones, this type of foam rubber is poured into molds of various configurations. After cooling, the crust is removed, the material acquires a homogeneous structure.

Required Tools

To make a chair cushion with your own hands, you will need the following materials:

pre-selected fabric for the cover;
filler;
cord for edging;
lightning;
ribbons for ties (or other fastening methods);
decorative elements.

In addition to materials for sewing soft seats on chairs and stools, you will need the following tools:

When everything is prepared, you can start making the pillow.

Chair cushions – choosing the right material and filling