Neoprene
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Neoprene is the DuPont Performance Elastomers trade name for a family of synthetic rubbers based on polychloroprene (polymer form of Chloroprene). Neoprene was invented by DuPont scientists after Dr. Elmer K. Bolton of DuPont laboratories attended a lecture by Fr. Julius Arthur Nieuwland, a professor of chemistry at the University of Notre Dame. Fr. Nieuwland's research was focused on acetylene chemistry and during the course of his work he produced divinyl acetylene, a jelly which firms into an elastic compound similar to rubber when passed over sulfur dichloride. 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. DuPont focused on monovinyl acetylene and reacted the substance with hydrogen chloride gas, manufacturing chloroprene.
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[edit] History
Neoprene (originally called duprene) was the first mass-produced synthetic rubber compound.
[edit] Applications
It is used in a wide variety of environments, such as in wetsuits, electrical insulation, and car fan belts. Its chemical inertness makes it well suited for industrial applications such as gaskets, hoses, and corrosion-resistant coatings. It can also be used as a base for adhesives. Neoprene is used for noise isolation in power transformer installations. Its springy consistency makes it notoriously difficult to fold when in sheet form. Neoprene can also be used as padding in external metal cases to protect the contents while allowing a snug fit. Neoprene is also used as a contrast in some jewelry designs.
Neoprene is also 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.
For diving and exposure protection applications, the air spaces in the neoprene are filled with nitrogen for its insulation value. Thick wet-suits made at the extreme end of their cold-water protection are usually made of 7mm thick neoprene. It should be noted that since neoprene contains many porous air-spaces, the material compresses the greater the depth it is exposed to. So a 7mm neoprene wet suit offers much less exposure protection under one hundred feet of water than at the surface. A new advance in neoprene for wet-suits has been the "super-flex" variety which combines spandex into the neoprene for a greater flexibility.
Recently, neoprene has become a favorite material for lifestyle and other home accessories including laptop sleeves, iPod holders, remote controls, etc.
Yamaha has begun replacing corks not being used for sealing (such as when putting a sealing the joints of a Clarinet) with neoprene.
[edit] Uses
- molded: plumbing fixture; gaskets; hose; mechanical seal; mechanical belt; solid rocket propellant; balls; diaphragms as in diaphragm valve
- sheet: Rigid-hulled inflatable boat; glove; sleepsack; knee-high boots; protective clothing; radar absorbent material
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- die-cut sheet
- foam: wetsuit; diveskin; glove; balaclava; wetsock; mousepad; automotive seat covers; orthopaedic brace;Stubby holder; face mask
- adhesive: adhesive tape; liquid adhesive
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) |
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Corporate Directors: Alain Belda | Richard H. Brown | Curtis Crawford | Louisa Duemling | John T. Dillon | Charles O. Holliday | Lois Juliber | Masahisa Naitoh | Sean O'Keefe | William K. Reilly | Rodney Sharp | Charles Vest |
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Products: ChromaFlair | Corian | Kevlar | Mylar | Neoprene | Nomex | Nylon | Teflon | Tyvek |
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Annual Revenue: $27.3 billion USD ( |
