Neoprene

neoprene material

1. NEOPRENE

2. INTRODUCTION Neoprene or poly chloroprene is a family of synthetic rubbers produced by polymerization of chloroprene. Neoprene exhibits good chemical stability and maintains flexibility over a wide temperature range. It is used in wide variety of applications , such as laptop sleeves , orthopedic braces , electrical insulation and automotive fan belts.

3. PRODUCTION Neoprene is produced by free radical polymerization of chloroprene. In commercial production ,this polymer is prepared by free radical emulsion polymerization.

4. PRODUCTION Polymerization is initiated by using potassium per sulfate. Neoprene can be produced either in closed cell or open cell form. The closed cell form is water proof ,less compatible and more expensive. The open cell form can be breathable

5. HISTORY Neoprene was invented by DuPont scientists on April 17, 1930 after Dr  Elmer K. Bolton  of  DuPont  attended a lecture by  Fr   Julius Arthur Nieuwland , a professor of  chemistry  at the  University of Notre Dame . Nieuwland's research was focused on  acetylene  chemistry and during the course of his work he produced di vinyl acetylene, a jelly that firms into an elastic compound similar to rubber when passed over  sulfur dichloride .

6. HISTORY  After DuPont purchased the  patent  rights from the university,  Wallace Carothers  of DuPont took over commercial development of Nieuwland's discovery in collaboration with Nieuwland himself.  Arnold Collins  at DuPont focused on mono vinyl acetylene and reacted the substance with  hydrogen chloride  gas, manufacturing  chloroprene . [ 5]

7. APPLICATIONS Neoprene resists degradation more than natural or synthetic rubber.   This relative inertness makes it well suited for demanding applications such as  gaskets ,  hoses , and corrosion -resistant   coatings .  It can be used as a base for  adhesives , noise isolation in power  transformer  installations, and as padding in external metal cases to protect the contents while allowing a snug fit.

8. APPLICATIONS IN AQUATICS: Neoprene is commonly used as a material for  fly fishing  waders, as it provides excellent insulation against cold . Neoprene waders are usually about 5 mm thick, and in the medium price range as compared to cheaper materials such as  nylon  and rubber . However, neoprene is less expensive than breathable fabrics. A foamed neoprene containing gas cells is used as an insulation material, most notably in  wetsuits .

9. APPLICATIONS IN SPORTS: In the equestrian world, it is used in  cinches , saddle pads, bareback pads, and many other applications in all disciplines. It is often used in  Air soft  as a protective garment, as it is thin enough to feel the hit, but thick enough to reduce the impact velocity, thus avoiding breakage of the skin by the pellet. Training knives and swords are made of Neoprene for safe self-defense instructions, practice, sparring, and martial arts demonstrations .

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