Flexible foams for mattresses are commonly made from which polymer family?

Introduction / Context:
Mattress cores and cushioning rely on flexible foams with tunable resilience, compression set, and airflow. The dominant commercial class for flexible furniture foams is polyurethane (PU) due to versatile chemistry and scalable foaming processes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Mass-produced flexible slabs and molded cushions.
• Room-temperature comfort and durability are prime concerns.

Concept / Approach:
Flexible PU foams are formed by reacting polyols with isocyanates (e.g., TDI/MDI) while generating gas (often CO2 from water–isocyanate reaction) to create open-cell structures. Formulators tune hardness (ILD), resilience, and breathability by selecting polyol functionality, isocyanate index, and additives.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify application: mattresses and upholstery require flexible, open-cell foam.Match polymer family: polyurethanes deliver the needed property window.Select “Polyurethanes.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Industry statistics show PUs dominate flexible foam markets; alternatives like latex foam (NR/SBR) exist but are a smaller share. PVC and PS typically form rigid foams; silicones are specialty elastomers; polyamides are not used for flexible mattress cores.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
PVC, PS: commonly used for rigid foams or solid parts.Silicone rubber: flexible but expensive and not standard for mattresses.Polyamides: engineering solids, not foams for bedding.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing latex (rubber) mattresses with polyurethane market prevalence; assuming any foamed plastic suits cushioning.

Final Answer:
Polyurethanes