Help me understand this
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24 ILD Latex 6” 32 ILD Latex 2” 40 ILD Latex 7/8” Firm foam What do they mean? Thanks. |
Re: Help me understand this
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They are describing the firmness of the foam. ILD---Indentation Load Deflection - A measure of the load-bearing capacity of foam. ILD is generally measured as the force (in pounds) required to compress a 50 square-inch circular indentor foot into a 4-inch thick foam sample no smaller than 24-inches square to a stated percentage of the foam's initial height. Common ILD values are generated at 75% of initial height. The greater the ILD, the firmer the foam. This message was modified Feb 5, 2010 by Pete
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Re: Help me understand this
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Not to be confused with the similar IFD Rating which is used for poly foam (Indentation Force Deflection) The IFD refers to the firmness of a piece of foam. The lab puts a 4 x 15 x 15 inch piece of foam on a flat surface. A round metal plate, 8 inches in diameter pushes down on the foam. The amount of pounds of pressure it requires to squeeze the foam to 3 inches (25% compression) is referred to as IFD. A low IFD, such as 10, doesn’t offer much resistance and is considered soft. Generally speaking, an IFD of 15-24 is considered soft, 25-32 is medium, 33-40 is firm and 41+ is considered extra firm. The comfort range for the majority of people is 25-32. This message was modified Feb 5, 2010 by Pete
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Re: Help me understand this
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So basically ILD and IFD are the aneroid and mercury "firmness barometers". Two different testing methods to arrive at a common answer: the firmness of any given foam. A low IFD, such as 10, doesn’t offer much resistance and is considered soft. Generally speaking, an IFD of 15-24 is considered soft, 25-32 is medium, 33-40 is firm and 41+ is considered extra firm. The comfort range for the majority of people is 25-32. This message was modified Feb 5, 2010 by Pete
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Re: Help me understand this
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And I'm betting that would be too soft for you. I have issues with low back and hip pain, and what I ended up with is a 100% latex mattress, nine inches of 36 ILD latex (extra firm) with a 2 inch convoluted latex topper of some softer ILD - maybe 24-28? This firmness level allows a very supportive surface, which you back needs, with enough give to provide pressure relief in the hip and shoulder areas. Sometimes I want a softer feel and move over to my husband's side of the bed, and he has 3 inches of firm latex (34 ILD) over six inches of extra firm latex (36 ILD) with the 2 inch convoluted topper over everything. This is a bit too soft for my back, but every once in awhile I like the softer feel. |