What is latex, what are its properties and application

More often on store shelves and in advertising you can see mattresses and pillows made of latex. Not everything explains why they are so good and why this material is suitable for a healthy sleep on it. So, what is latex? And what is it used for?

What is latex?

For many people, information about the appearance of natural cotton, linen and silk is not surprising. But the fabric that is made from the juice of trees? Learning what latex is and how it appears, many initially do not believe. Yes, and on fabric this material is completely different, to the touch and look it is quite like a synthetic one.

Strictly speaking, even natural latex is not so, it is obtained in a special way from rubber - the juice of Brazilian hevea, grown on plantations around the world. By the way, a substance similar in properties is familiar to almost any European - it is a milk of an ordinary dandelion. The raw material is processed, various ingredients are added to it, a homogeneous first liquid and later more viscous substance is obtained at the outlet.

This material has unique properties, so its use is so widespread, but there is one serious drawback - for some people it is allergenic.

Artificial latex

It is difficult, perhaps, to present even more unnatural material, but it exists. Made from artificial rubber with the help of emulsion polymerization technology, synthetic latex differs in many respects from its analog obtained from natural raw materials. They are not exactly identical, even in appearance, not to mention some important properties. But artificial hypoallergenic, so that can successfully replace a colleague when there is such a need. In other cases, natural will be preferable. By the way, sometimes manufacturers mix these two varieties, obviously, trying to reduce the cost of production, but preserve the advantages of material of natural origin.

First, artificial latex absorbs water, although not much better than its counterpart. Secondly, it does not smell, while natural can initially have a specific flavor that erodes in a few days. In addition, synthetic latex is more rigid and "dry", and over time it becomes more fragile. Generally speaking, the quality of the final product depends entirely on the raw materials, sometimes the difference between artificial and natural material is minimal and almost invisible.

Properties

To the touch and look this material is somewhat like vinyl or rubber, but differs from them in chemical composition. The main properties of natural latex are:

1. Elasticity. This material stretches and bends, but with ease it takes the same shape.
2. Hygiene. Juice of hevea initially possesses bactericidal properties, latex retains them, so that in products made of this material dust, mold and dust do not accumulate for a long time, extraneous "inhabitants" are not planted.
3. Durability. With careful use of cushions, mattresses, clothes and other items from latex retain their properties for a long time.
4. Softness. Products made of latex, although they hold shape, are pleasant to the body.
5. Thermoregulation. Comfort during sleep is very important, so good thermal conductivity is a valuable quality for a mattress and pillow.
6. Hydrophobicity. Natural latex completely absorbs moisture, which often only prolongs its service life.

Modern application

The sphere of use of this unusual material is quite a lot. Firstly, it is widely used in medicine - gloves, elastic bandages, bandages, plasters are made of it. Secondly, because of its properties, it is suitable for such household items as pillows, mattresses, linoleum. Thirdly, for make-up artists and requisitors, this material became a real find - masks, special faceplates and much more. Finally, it is used in the production of clothing and footwear, especially sportswear. They are not always made from latex, but with its application. And also balloons, condoms, baby pacifiers, etc. In addition, the industry uses latex in the processing of certain minerals, so the need for a large number of plantations is not surprising.

Household items

What is latex in terms of its chemical structure? It looks like a porous sponge of round elements arranged in an orderly manner. They provide its elasticity and good heat dissipation. Therefore, pillows and mattresses made of latex have gained such popularity - similar materials cope with the task of providing comfort during sleep much worse. And they eventually become a hotbed of dust mites that cause a terrible allergy.

In addition, cushions made of latex are considered orthopedic, they ensure the correct position of the head and do not allow pinching of small nerves in the cervical spine. As a result, a person after a dream feels really rested and ready for new achievements. This is also an excellent prevention of osteochondrosis, so that people who care for their health choose latex. Reviews of sleep on such pillows make you really think about purchasing such mattresses and pillows, because the quality of rest largely determines the state of health during the day.

As for mattresses, another advantage is the lack of springs. Surely everyone at least once in his life slept on a terrible old pressed mattress. There is every notch and bulge, and metal elements can make unpleasant sounds. Soft or hard, but invariably elastic mattresses made of latex serve for a very long time and simply can not cause such sensations. And if many similar materials for effective body shape adoption require a temperature increase, then in this case it is not necessary.

clothing

Just one thing, that latex does not absorb moisture at all, says that it will not be possible to wear it every day. On the other hand, it can be well suited for outerwear in rainy weather, although it does not keep warm enough. In addition, it is soft, in a word, it is quite a specific material.

Nevertheless, latex clothing is often used as stage costumes for artists, and in the minds of the townsfolk it is associated with erotica because of the effect of the "second skin". It hardly compensates for the fact that at the slightest rise in temperature above room temperature, such a dress becomes very hot and uncomfortable. But the couturiers are trying hard to get girls to wear latex gloves and leggings, which, despite their impracticality, often look pretty beautiful.

disadvantages

The most serious and already mentioned minus of latex is that some people have a pathological reaction to it. This is due to its composition. After all, what is latex? Hevea juice contains special proteins, on contact with which the body can react with allergy. So the natural material for them, unfortunately, is contraindicated. This greatly complicates their life, because the result can be anything: from simple irritation on the skin to anaphylactic shock and sometimes even death.

Another drawback of natural latex, which can only bother at first, is the smell. This is not a very pleasant property quickly disappears, but some it can terribly annoy. Occasionally he returns, but here the peculiarities of dealing with things come into play.

Care

Perhaps the important advantage of natural latex over other materials is the ease with which it is handled. There are only a few features:

• It is necessary to minimize the effect of direct sunlight;
• Do not pierce with sharp objects;
• To clean, you can just rinse in cool water and let it drain;
• If foreign odor occurs, place the product in a ventilated area.

Obviously, these rules are much simpler than the instructions attached to many other materials. Observing them, you can be sure that any items, whether pillows, mattresses or latex clothes, will last long enough and well.