What Are Memory Foam Pillows Made Of?

Bed pillows

Memory foam is a new and popular trend in mattress design. But even if you're not ready to replace a major piece of furniture, you can still experience this advance in sleeping comfort by purchasing memory foam pillows for your standard bed.

NASA

Polyurethane foam is nothing new, but in the 1960s NASA created a denser, firmer foam for spacecraft seating that would conform to the bodies of their astronauts to reduce G-forces. The process was released to the public in the 1980s.

The Process

Memory foam starts with a standard synthetic foam, but chemicals are used to make the resulting product considerably denser and firmer, yet not too rigid to be comfortable.

Memory Foam

The resulting foam, also known as visco-elastic foam, molds itself in response to weight, providing support without accompanying pressure points.

Temperature

Memory foam also responds to temperature, becoming stiffer when cold and more malleable when warm. It also stores heat well, which can be a good thing on cold nights.

Variations

While all memory foams behave in a similar manner, different manufacturers have adjusted the formula to adjust the level of firmness as well as deal with problems like excessive heat retention.

References

• Here Be Dreams: An Introduction to Visco-Elastic Foam
• Memory Foam Mattress: Information, Comparison and Buying Tips