What is Memory Foam Made Of? (Materials Inside)

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You’ve been thinking about getting a memory foam mattress but you just know too little about it to be confident. Is it comfortable? Is it safe? Will it last for a long time? Read this article where we answer all those questions and give you everything you need know about what memory foam is made of. From its pros and cons to its different types, you’ll find all of that below.

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What is memory foam made of?

Memory foam is made of polyurethane that’s been combined with certain chemicals to give it viscosity and elasticity. This is why memory foam is also known as viscoelastic polyurethane foam or low-resistance polyurethane foam.

Although the production of polyurethane foam began in the 1950s, memory foam didn’t exist until the 1970s when NASA scientists developed it to improve seat cushioning and crash protection for airline pilots and passengers. Memory foam was also used for reducing the impact felt by astronauts as they were being launched into space. See our article on the history of mattresses for more information.

As a material, memory foam moves slowly and takes a long time to change shape when pressure is applied to it. As a result, energy or motion travels much slower than it does on traditional polyurethane foam.

That’s it for the viscous part. Now, elasticity in memory foam means that it can stretch and contort but return to its original shape when pressure is released. The combination of these two qualities is the reason it’s called viscoelastic foam.

Mattress companies started looking into memory foam as a potential mattress material in the 1980s. And eventually in 1991, a Swedish foam firm called Fagerdala World Foams released the world’s first memory foam bed: the Tempur-Pedic Mattress.

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Different types of memory foam mattresses

Over the years, memory foam mattresses started to come in different sizes, shapes, and designs. As of today, there are three main types of memory foam that are being used for producing mattresses. I’ll be talking about each of these types plus one form of memory foam that’s primarily used for pillows.

Traditional

Also known as classic memory foam, this is the OG form of memory foam that was used in mattresses. Traditional memory foam is designed to react to pressure and body heat and provide contouring for your body’s curves. It also evenly distributes body weight which prevents tension from accumulating on one part of your body.

The biggest drawback of traditional memory foam is its tendency to trap body heat. Sleepers who tend to sleep hot or live in warm climates are prone to overheating on traditional memory foam mattresses. The following memory foam types were developed in part to address this issue.

Gel

Gel memory foam is designed to aid in temperature regulation by absorbing and dissipating body heat. It’s made by adding gel-based microbeads into memory foam to create small pockets which promote airflow and disperse heat. In addition to gel-infused memory foam, some companies also infuse copper into memory foam to help absorb and wick away moisture.

Open cell

Open-cell memory foam basically has the same components as traditional memory foam, but their internal structure is different. As opposed to the closed-cell structure of classic memory foam, open-cell memory foam has internal pockets which allow more ventilation and airflow through the mattress. One such example of a brand that uses open-cell foam is Amerisleep.

The downside to open-cell memory foam is that it’s less dense than traditional memory foam. This affects the firmness of a mattress and makes it feel less supportive. However, mattress manufacturers have been employing new technologies to resolve this issue while also retaining the well-ventilated open-cell structure of the mattress.

Shredded

This last one is not a basic type of memory foam but more of a modification. Shredded memory foam is exactly as it sounds, memory foam that’s been torn into tiny pieces. This type of memory foam is mostly used as a pillow filling due to its moldable nature which is similar to down filling.

Shredded memory foam is also sometimes used in making mattress toppers but it is usually not supportive enough to sleep on and we would not recommend it.

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Pros and cons of memory foam

Just because it’s been getting very popular doesn’t mean that everyone is going to love it. I personally am not a huge fan of memory foam beds, but a lot of people really like them and you might too. Take a look at the pros and cons of memory foam below to determine if it suits your unique needs and preferences.

Pros

• Provides pressure relief – Memory foam is great at conforming to your body’s shape and contouring to your curves. This alleviates tension from sensitive areas such as the hips, shoulders, and neck which typically experience the most pressure buildup during sleep. Aside from providing pressure relief, memory foam also evenly distributes body weight which is beneficial for those who have joint pain or arthritis.
• Promotes spinal alignment – Another benefit of memory foam is its excellent support which promotes a neutral spinal alignment for most individuals. Regardless if you sleep on your side, back, or stomach, memory foam will keep your spine aligned as long as the mattress’s firmness is suitable for you. This helps reduce back pain and soreness when you wake up in the morning.
• Excellent motion isolation – Because memory foam has a slow response to pressure, it does a good job of keeping motion on one part of the bed. This feature is especially important for couples who don’t want to be disturbed by their partner’s movements during the night.
• Durable – Compared to other foam types, memory foam usually has a longer lifespan. This is because it has higher density and it snaps back to its original shape after you lay on it. Its elasticity prevents the development of body impressions and premature sagging.
• Hypoallergenic – Most memory foam mattresses are resistant to allergens such as mold and dust mites. This is due to its dense structure which prevents the accumulation of the said irritants. This makes memory foam mattresses good for allergy sufferers.

Cons

• Heat retention – The biggest drawback of memory foam is its tendency to trap body heat and become uncomfortably warm. Although cooler types of memory foam have been developed, they still tend to retain heat more than other types of mattresses.
• Cost – Memory foam mattress cost can be higher than innerspring mattresses or other all-foam mattresses. Mattresses than contain high-quality memory foam are more supportive and durable hence the higher price.
• Stuck feeling – Softer memory foam mattresses tend to have a stuck-in-the-mud-feel which basically impedes your movements and makes it harder to switch sleeping positions. As a combination sleeper who likes to switch between positions, this is one my main issues with memory foam mattresses.
• Not waterproof – Exposure to water or moisture can damage memory foam and reduce its lifespan. This could be an issue especially if you live in a place with high humidity, or if you have a child or pet that’s prone to spills and accidents.
• Off-gassing – Most memory foam products tend to have a distinct, chemical smell which is commonly noticed after unboxing. The new chemical smell usually goes away in 24 hours, but sometimes it can last for weeks if the product uses cheap and low-quality memory foam.

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How to decide which type of memory foam is right for you

Traditional, open-cell, and gel memory foam are all pretty similar in feel and construction. But they do have a number of differences that might affect your decision when choosing a mattress. However, I should mention that all types perform well in terms of pressure relief and motion isolation.

These are the important factors to consider when selecting the right memory foam type for you:

• Temperature regulation – If you are someone who tends to sleep hot, then you should opt for open-cell memory foam which promotes airflow or gel memory foam which absorbs and disperses body heat. Between the two, gel-infused memory foam is the better cooling option. However, those who live in colder areas might not mind sleeping on warm traditional memory foam mattresses.
• Cost – Traditional memory foam is the cheapest type of memory foam. If you’re looking for a budget option and you don’t mind the heat retention, go for traditional memory foam. Open-cell memory foam costs slightly more, but gel memory foam is the most expensive type of memory foam. Keep these in mind when making your decision.
• Durability – The lifespan and durability of a memory foam mattress depends on the quality and the density of the material used. Open-cell memory foam is the least durable of the three types, but mattress companies have recently been improving its durability while retaining its open-cell structure.

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FAQs

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Conclusion

Now that you know all about memory foam and its different types, you should be able to make well-informed decision in buying a memory foam mattress. There are so many memory foam mattresses on the market today, but not all of them are made with quality materials. We recommend checking out our best memory foam mattresses list for some excellent options.

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Next step: Take a look at our list of the best mattresses without memory foam. Even though the material is extremely popular, some people just don’t like it. If you decide that memory foam isn’t for you, choosing a mattress from our list is your best option.

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