I now have two headphones whose foam is deteriorating.

(0) What causes this?

(1) Is there any way to prevent this? I suspect not, since I've had foam inside an anvil case (the kind that's valenced and is practically hermetically sealed) deteriorate purely out of age.

(2) Does it "run"? I.E. once the foam starts deteriorating, should one just throw out the entire batch? Or is there a way to save the foam that hasn't deteriorated yet?

(3) Is it "contagious"? I.E. Can it be transfered from one to another?

(4) Is there a way to determine ahead of time how soon foam is going to deteriorate?

(5) Best way to fix? Are there different kinds of foam? I know with Grados it's just a matter of replacing the pads, but what if it's a "sheet"? Do I need to remove the whole sheet? Is there a way to determine its acoustic properties to mimic the old foam, or should I just go for the most acoustically transparent foam in most cases?

This came up in a subwoofer forum once.

I haven't read up on it in ages, but the best idea presented at the time was Vaseline or KY Jelly on the foam surrounds.

Doubt that helps in this case though.

I know someone from the subwoofer company posted that it should last at least 10 years, FWIW. (note; they did not make the recommendation of ointment)

Yeah, I heard "mink oil" for surrounds, but this is different.

EDIT: To clarify, I'm talking about things like (a) Grado pads; ( the foam screens on headphones between the driver and the ear (the one that people usually cut holes in for the "quarter mod") like Sennheisers; © the padding in those cases we all buy for our headphones; etc.

Edited August 19, 200916 yr by Dusty Chalk

Old wives' tales.

The worst is when the foam turns into sticky goo and falls into the driver. It's a real horror to get it out.

I've heard that by using them, the natural oils from the skin treat them and them not flake apart specifically with the Grado pads.

No certainty that there is truth in that.

That only helps the Grado drivers, though, not the screens nor the impact foam used in carrying cases.

Unless you regularly fondle the foam in your carrying cases.

Which I don't.

That only helps the Grado drivers, though, not the screens nor the impact foam used in carrying cases.

Unless you regularly fondle the foam in your carrying cases.

Which I don't.

Well there you go, you've identified the problem.

I think it just dries up with time, that is certainly true with the foam lining Stax uses. On old sets like the Koss ESP6/7/9 then the foam is nasty to say the least and destroys all it touches when it breaks down.

So fondling it and depositing my juices on it actually is the answer? Yeezh.

Licking does help...

So fondling it and depositing my juices on it actually is the answer? Yeezh.

Or just send it to Ari for a week and you'll be good for 10 years or so.

Licking does help...

Licking isn't oil and contains digestive enzymes -- you sure that's a good idea? From what little I could glean from google, I'm not sure if it's "drying out" and becoming brittle, or impurities in the foam are rusting. Wouldn't mind knowing the science behind it, seriously.

Thanks to all the crap addicts for providing zero to no useful information.

Thanks to all the crap addicts for providing zero to no useful information.

You've cut me to the quick ... Try THIS as a start.

Okay, that was awesome. Thanks, man.

Licking isn't oil and contains digestive enzymes -- you sure that's a good idea? From what little I could glean from google, I'm not sure if it's "drying out" and becoming brittle, or impurities in the foam are rusting. Wouldn't mind knowing the science behind it, seriously.

It was just me being silly. I usually say tube amps are safe if you don't try to lick them.

Oh.

:|

If I remember correctly my father, who designed a bunch of stuff of various sorts of urethanes, often described the deteriorated urethane foam as "hydrolyzed". One way or the other, it sounds like reaction to air, or what passes for it in the places where we live.

He did say that the best urethanes would go a very long time before turning to dust or goo, the lesser ones might not wait so long.

Sadly, he's not around anymore to ask if there's anything you can do to arrest the process.

Keep foam stuff away from ozone or too much moisture - which I suppsoe would mean "out of Florida".

-Carl

Foam degeneration is no laughing matter, and should be taken quite seriously!

Foam degeneration almost cost me dearly in 1986.

Steve, you can lower any discussion, can't you?

PS Don't take that as a challenge. It was more recognizing an existing talent than asking for proof.

I pride myself on that very ability.

It's quite remarkable, really.

When you look like this in grade school, becoming the class clown isn't one option...it's the only option.