Introducing RUBIFLEX® Gradient Hardness™

RUBIFLEX® Gradient Hardness™ polyurethane system is a new solution that can provide premium quality foam seat cushioning with cost-efficient, single-shot manufacturing. Developed for vehicle seat manufacturers, it can offer excellent initial softness and firmer lower layers for improved ergonomic support, rolling stability, and long-term comfort.

Download sell sheet » Download Automotive Seating Portfolio »

Next generation vehicle seat comfort

RUBIFLEX® Gradient Hardness™ polyurethane system can give you good options in terms of quality, comfort, and manufacturing efficiency.

Typical benefits can include:
  • Premium quality and comfort, with an excellent initial showroom feel
  • Soft-feel near top of pad comparable to lower density foam
  • Firmness of bottom layers can provide very good overall support, maintaining H-Point
  • Improved pressure distribution and rolling stability
  • Single-shot manufacturing
  • Gradient Hardness™ effect occurs entirely in-mold, and can reduce time and labor associated with layered foam
  • Minimized craftsmanship issues compared to molded foam layers

Market-leading seat foam technology with RUBIFLEX® Gradient Hardness™

Conventional seating foam technology uses a single polyurethane system that gives a uniform hardness at the top and bottom of the pad. This typically results in softness with less support, or firmness with a less luxurious top-feel.

Premium seat manufacturing often uses two pieces of foam (one firm, one soft) that are stuck together. This adds extra costs and process steps during manufacturing.

RUBIFLEX® Gradient Hardness™ polyurethane system is completed in one pour, with one formulation. It provides a premium comfort feel with minimal process steps, which can save manufacturers time and money. 

Conventional seat foams vs RUBIFLEX® Gradient Hardness™

Conventional foam pads typically exhibit higher firmness closer to both the top and bottom of the mold.

  • Top surface and bottom surface most firm and highest density
  • Center is the softest and lowest density, not by design but as a typical occurrence
  • Bottom surface usually 25% firmer than top surface 

Source of the videos: These images were taken by Digital Imaging Correlation (DIC). Test results at Huntsman’s labs map the vertical strain, which can visualize the hardness gradient and measure the local stress-strain relationship.

RUBIFLEX® Gradient Hardness™ system is developed to distinctly concentrate softer portions at one end, becoming firmer in lower layers. 

  • Top surface is the softest and lowest density while the bottom surface is firmest and has the highest density
  • Progression in center for hardness and density
  • Bottom surface can be up to 175% firmer than the top layer*

* Percentage calculated from a Huntsman study based on a foam test block sample. The sample used was representative of a molded pad with gradient analyzed from top to bottom.

Ready to increase quality, comfort, and production efficiency?

Our team of experts are happy to help with any questions you may have.

Contact Huntsman