Neoprene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoprene[03-Aug-14 3:10:16 PM]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neoprene or polychloroprene is a family of synthetic rubbers that are
produced by polymerization of chloroprene.
[1]
Neoprene exhibits good
chemical stability, and maintains flexibility over a wide temperature range.
It is used in a wide variety of applications, such as laptop sleeves,
orthopedic braces (wrist, knee, etc.), electrical insulation, liquid and sheet
applied elastomeric membranes or flashings, and automotive fan belts.
[2]
Contents
1 Production
2 History
3 Applications
3.1 General
3.2 Civil engineering
3.3 Aquatics
3.4 Home accessories
3.5 Sports
3.6 Music
3.7 Hydroponic gardening
3.8 Other
4 Precautions
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
Neoprene is produced by free-radical polymerization of 2-chlorobutadiene. In commercial production, this polymer is
prepared by free radical emulsion polymerization. Polymerization is initiated using potassium persulfate. Bifunctional
nucleophiles, metal oxides (e.g. zinc oxide), and thioureas are used to crosslink individual polymer strands.
[3]
Outside
of Russia and China,
[why?]
about 300,000 tons of neoprene are produced annually.
[1]
Neoprene
A neck seal, wrist seal, manual vent,
inflator, zip and fabric of a neoprene dry
suit. Here the soft thin rubber-like seal
material at neck and wrists is made from
non-foam neoprene for elasticity; the blue
area is a thin blue knit fabric laminated
onto spongy foamed neoprene for
insulation.
Chemical structure of the
repeating unit of polychloroprene
Production [edit]
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Neoprene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoprene[03-Aug-14 3:10:16 PM]
Neoprene can be produced in either closed-cell or open-cell form. The closed-cell form is waterproof, less
compressible and more expensive. The open-cell form can be breathable.
[4]
Neoprene was invented by DuPont scientists on April 17, 1930 after Dr Elmer K. Bolton of DuPont attended a lecture
by Fr J ulius 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 divinyl acetylene, a jelly that 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. Arnold Collins at DuPont focused on monovinyl acetylene and reacted the
substance with hydrogen chloride gas, manufacturing chloroprene.
[5]
DuPont first marketed the compound in 1931 under the trade name DuPrene,
[6]
but its commercial possibilities were
limited by the original manufacturing process, which left the product with a foul odor.
[7]
A new process was
developed, which eliminated the odor-causing byproducts and halved production costs, and the company began selling
the material to manufacturers of finished end-products.
[7]
To prevent shoddy manufacturers from harming the
product's reputation, the trademark DuPrene was restricted to apply only to the material sold by DuPont.
[7]
Since the
company itself did not manufacture any DuPrene-containing end products, the trademark was dropped in 1937 and
replaced with a generic name, neoprene, in an attempt "to signify that the material is an ingredient, not a finished
consumer product."
[8]
DuPont then worked extensively to generate demand for its product, implementing a marketing
strategy that included publishing its own technical journal, which extensively publicized neoprene's uses as well as
advertising other companies' neoprene-based products.
[7]
By 1939, sales of neoprene were generating profits over
$300,000 for the company.
[7]
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.
[1]
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. It resists burning better than exclusively hydrocarbon based rubbers,
[9]
resulting in
its appearance in weather stripping for fire doors and in combat related attire such as gloves and face masks. Because
of its tolerance of extreme conditions, neoprene is used to line landfills. Neoprene's burn point is around 260C
(500F).
[10]
History [edit]
Applications [edit]
General [edit]
Civil engineering [edit]
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Neoprene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoprene[03-Aug-14 3:10:16 PM]
Neoprene is used as a load bearing base, usually between two prefabricated reinforced concrete elements or steel plates
as well to evenly guide tension from one element to another.
[citation needed]
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. Foamed neoprene is also used in other insulation and
shock-protection (packing) applications. In its native state, neoprene is a very pliable rubber-like material, with no
better insulating properties than rubber or other solid plastics. For diving and exposure protection applications,
neoprene is manufactured by foaming the plastic with nitrogen gas, for the insulation properties of the tiny enclosed
and separated gas bubbles (nitrogen is used for chemical convenience, not because it is superior to air as an insulator).
The foam cells thus created also make the material quite buoyant, and the diver must compensate for this by wearing
weights. Thick wet suits made at the extreme end of their cold water protection are usually made of 7 mm thick
neoprene. Since foam neoprene contains gas pockets, the material compresses under water pressure, getting thinner at
greater depths; a 7 mm neoprene wet suit offers much less exposure protection under 100 feet of water than at the
surface. A recent advance in neoprene for wet suits is the "super-flex" variety, which mixes spandex into the neoprene
for greater flexibility.
As a result, wetsuit neoprene sheets are manufactured in different grades dependent on the application. Diving suit
neoprene is denser and less flexible; this ensures its durability and reduces compression at depth. Sailing wetsuits are
never exposed to large compressive forces and contain more gas, so are warmer for the same thickness. Competitive
swimming wetsuits are made of the most expanded foam; they have to be very flexible to allow the swimmer
unrestricted movement. The downside is that they are quite fragile.
Recently, neoprene has become a favorite material for lifestyle and other home accessories including laptop sleeves,
tablet holders, remote controls and cycling chamois. In this market, it sometimes competes with LRPu (low-resilience
polyurethane), which is a sturdier (more impact-resistant) but less-used material.
Also in recent years, J ug, an after-market inline skate liner manufacturer, have incorporated neoprene into the
construction of some of their more popular product-lines, citing that neoprene adds reinforcement (ankle support) and
guards against abrasions as few materials do. As a simple matter of durability and product lifespan, liners constructed
with neoprene additives are typically more expensive than those that are not.
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 Airsoft 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.
Aquatics [edit]
Home accessories [edit]
Sports [edit]
Neoprene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoprene[03-Aug-14 3:10:16 PM]
Used in powerlifting and Olympic lifting. Commonly used are rehband 7mm knee and elbow sleeves. Also they are
acceptable support in most powerlifting or strongman federations.
Musical instrument maker Yamaha uses neoprene. Neoprene is also used for drum
practice pads.
Hydroponic and aerated gardening systems make use of small neoprene inserts to
hold plants in place while propagating cuttings, or using net cups. Inserts are
relatively small, ranging in size from 1.5" to 5". Neoprene is a good choice for
supporting plants because of its flexibility and softness, allowing plants to be held
securely in place without the chance of causing damage to the stem. Neoprene root
covers also help block out light from entering the rooting chamber of hydroponic
systems, allowing for better root growth and to help deter the growth of algae.
Neoprene is used for Halloween masks and masks used for face protection, for
insulating CPU sockets, to make waterproof automotive seat covers, in liquid and
sheet-applied elastomeric roof membranes or flashings, and in a neoprene-spandex
mixture for manufacture of wheelchair positioning harnesses. Because of its
chemical resistance and overall durability, neoprene is sometimes used in the manufacture of dishwashing gloves,
especially as an alternative to latex. In fashion, neoprene has been used by designers such as Gareth Pugh, Balenciaga,
Lanvin and Vera Wang.
Some people are allergic to neoprene while others can get dermatitis from thioureas residues left from its production.
The most common accelerator in the vulcanization of polychloroprene is ethylene thiourea (ETU), which has been
classified as reprotoxic. The European rubber industry project called SafeRubber focuses an alternative to the use of
ETU.
[11]
Neoprene degrades in the presence of some fairly common chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, acetone, xylene,
acetic acid, aqua regia, boric acid, liquid butane, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, kerosine, lacquer, lard, motor oil, nitric
acid, palm oil, tallow, turpentine, urine, and most chlorine-based chemicals including household bleach.
[12]
Isoprene
Music [edit]
A woman wearing neoprene
leggings.
Hydroponic gardening [edit]
Other [edit]
Precautions [edit]
See also [edit]
Neoprene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoprene[03-Aug-14 3:10:16 PM]
V T E
Wikimedia Commons has
media related to Neoprene.
1. ^
a

b

c
Werner Obrecht, J ean-Pierre Lambert, Michael Happ, Christiane Oppenheimer-Stix, J ohn Dunn and Ralf Krger
"Rubber, 4. Emulsion Rubbers" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 2012, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.
doi:10.1002/14356007.o23_o01
2. ^ "Technical information Neoprene" (PDF). Du Pont Performance Elastomers. October 2003.
3. ^ Furman E. Glenn. "Chloroprene Polymers". Encyclopedia Of Polymer Science and Technology.
doi:10.1002/0471440264.pst053 .
4. ^ "Closed Cell v Open Cell" . Retrieved 2014-01-14.
5. ^ J ohn K. Smith. The Ten-Year Invention: Neoprene and Du Pont Research, 19301939 . Technology and Culture 26(1):34-
55 J anuary 1985
6. ^ "Neoprene : 1930 - Overview" . DuPont Heritage. DuPont. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
7. ^
a

b

c

d

e
Hounshell, David A.; Smith, J ohn Kenly (1988). Science and Corporate Strategy : Du Pont R&D, 1902-1980
(Repr. ed.). Cambridge [Cambridgeshire]: Cambridge University Press. pp. 253257. ISBN 0-521-32767-9.
8. ^ "Neoprene : 1930 - In Depth" . DuPont Heritage. DuPont. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
9. ^ "Neoprene - polychloroprene" . DuPont Elastomers. Retrieved 2008-04-09.
10. ^ http://msds.dupont.com/msds/pdfs/EN/PEN_09004a35803d9eb8.pdf
11. ^ http://www.saferubber.eu
12. ^ http://www.fluidproducts.com/PDFs/ChemicalResistance.pdf#page=8&zoom=auto,0,317
Historical Files on Neoprene are available at Hagley Museum and Library
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont)
Corporate directors
Lamberto Andreotti Richard H. Brown Robert A. Brown Bertrand P. Collomb Curtis J . Crawford
Alexander M. Cutler There du Pont Marillyn Hewson Lois J uliber Ellen J . Kullman
Lee M. Thomas
Products
Corian FE-13 Hypalon Kalrez Kapton Kevlar Mylar Neoprene Nomex Nylon Sorona
Teflon Tyvek Vespel Viton Zodiaq Zytel
Subsidiaries and
joint ventures
DuPont Pioneer Danisco Solae DuPont Danisco
Divisions and
facilities
DuPont Building (incl. the DuPont Theatre and Hotel du Pont) DuPont Central Research
DuPont Experimental Station
Notable people
leuthre Irne du Pont Alfred I. du Pont Eugene du Pont Francis Gurney du Pont
Francis Irne du Pont Henry du Pont Lammot du Pont Pierre S. du Pont J effery Stanford Agate
Anthony J oseph Arduengo III Samuel Bodman Norman Borlaug Donaldson Brown
Wallace Carothers Uma Chowdhry Thomas M. Connelly J ohn T. Dillon Linda Fisher
Richard Goodmanson Charles O. Holliday Steven Ittel Edward G. J efferson Stephanie Kwolek
J ames Lynah Rudolph Pariser George Parshall Charles J . Pedersen William Dale Phillips
References [edit]
External links [edit]
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoprene[03-Aug-14 3:10:16 PM]
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Categories: Brand name materials Dielectrics DuPont products Elastomers U.S. Synthetic Rubber Program
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