Compression Property of TPEE-3D Fibrous Material and Its Application in Mattress Structural Layer

Thermoplastic poly(ether/ester) elastomer (TPEE) has great potential as a mattress material due to its high resilience, breathability, and light weight. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of TPEE-3D fibrous material (T_3DF), a three-dimensional block material made of TPEE fibers randomly aligned and loop-connected, for mattress application. After testing the compression properties of T_3DF, the effects of T_3DF structural layers on mattress firmness were investigated. The results showed that T_3DF had good energy absorption capacity, broad indentation hardness range (126.94-333.82 N), and high compression deflection coefficient (2.79-4.39). The thickness and density of T_3DF were the main factors influencing mattress firmness, and the impact of thickness was more significant (p < 0.05). Owing to the hard and soft segments contained in TPEE, T_3DF could be used for both the padding and core layers of the mattress. The hardness value and Dsurface of the mattress with a T_3DF padding layer increased with T_3DF density but decreased with T_3DF thickness. Moreover, the hardness value and Dsurface of the mattress with a T_3DF core layer increased with T_3DF density, while with T_3DF thickness, its Dsurface increased and Dbottom decreased. Therefore, the thick and low-density T_3DF padding layer could improve the comfort of the mattress surface, a thin T_3DF core layer could satisfy both the softer surface and the firmer bottom of the mattress.