Foam mattresses any good ?

Hello everyone, I new here, this is my first post, sorry for my writing my English is no so good. Ok, I have a question for you guys, I have 4 foam mattresses than I don`t use any more, and I have the idea to use it for make absorber panels. Is this material good for this purpose? have it good absorption coefficient?. or maybe I can find a better use for the foam mattresses? like for the construction of a bass-trap maybe. well hope you guys can give me some clues and help. thank a lot and good luck everyone

If these mattresses are open cell polyether foam (typical for cheaper mattresses) then they do work, but it's a matter of quality. The typical density and type of foam makes that they have a low gas-flow resistance, which causes relative poor absorption compared to traditional acoustic foam (or mineral wool). This low gas-flow resistance, disadvantage for acoustic use, is useful in mattresses since it makes the foam breath easier. The type of polyether foam, versus the often used polyester for acoustics, also has advantages for mattresses since it's better moist resistant and more elastic (+ cheaper). Hence use as mattresses and acoustic absorption calls technically for different properties to be optimized. While seemingly comparable to laymen, they really are designed with a different purpose in mind. You can use them, if you accept the (significant? - depends on exact type) poorer absorption properties. But check the fire properties of this foam. And this also is only valid if your mattresses are what I think they are. Foam is a generic name covering lots of different types and products. Mostly/often, when budget to buy more suitable absorption is not an issue, one advices against the use of this mattress or upholstery foam for acoustic absorption.

Thank a lot Eric_Desart for your advice, yes the mattresses are the cheap one, so I think they going to be ok, but just that. what you think if I doing some little holes on the mattresses, it would may help? thank men again and good luck

recorestudio wrote:

....... what you think if I doing some little holes on the mattresses, it would may help?

No recore, it won't help. What I described with this low gas-flow resistance, means in fact that the existing mini holes in this foam as is, are too large already (this is a bit a poetic license). You can blow too easily through that foam. You can not improve that foam itself with whatever technique. It is what it is.

thank Eric_Desart I get it right now, I was confused. so the good material for absorption have to be that one than I blow on it and it have some resistant for the air passing thru it. my problem is than i don't have enough money for buy the absorption panels on the market, so I'm looking some others alternative. I'm from Argentina, and the materials than you guys using there, in this country is so difficult to find plus that they are expensive. I did made some diffusion panels on yeso, I don't know how to translate this material in English, it is like concrete but color white. now I need find the solution for the absorption. I'm reading The Master Handbook Of Acoustics it say than in India for the absorption in the studio they use cotton, because there are lot of cotton and cheap plus it is a very good absorption material, is that true? because I'm thinking now on the blow example and the cotton don't have any resistant against the air. I confuse here. sorry if I bother you whit this questions, plus my crappy writing but I looking find the best way to go whit the material than I can afford. Thank again for replay, and give me a hand whit it. Thank men good luck!!

..... so the good material for absorption have to be that one than I blow on it and it have some resistant for the air passing thru it.

:lol: You got it ........ Detailed questions on material can only be given on detailed descriptions or links. :) Cotton and cheap plus from India aren't exactly detailed descriptions. Cottonwool can indeed be very good, but you first must find something to check. Is glasswool that expensive in Argentina? Of course money, cheap or expensive are relative notions. At the studiotips forum, there's a guy from Argentina who used glasswool from the Isover brand. Hence it must be there for sure. He made, or is busy with his studio. If there aren't guys from Argentina here, you could ask there. His name is Damian. He can maybe give some tips. But that's the guy who used Isover glasswool.

thank Eric_Desart for all you help, I don't know the prise for the glasswool here in Argentina yet, I this material may not be so expensive. thank for the idea to keep in touch whit the members from Argentina they maybe can give a hand too. Thank again Eric_Desart was a pleasure talk whit you and learn from you experience. good luck and keep in touch