Neoprene is a synthetic rubber produced by the polymerization of chloroprene. Neoprene has a chemical inertness that allows it to be used in such products as hoses, corrosion resistant coatings and gaskets. Besides the obvious construction and safety uses for Neoprene , it is more commonly used in the making of fly fishing waders. It provides top quality insulation against the cold elements. The waders that are used are generally 5 mm thick and fit somewhere in the “medium” price range in comparison to less expensive materials such as rubber or nylon. Although, as far as breathable fabrics go, Neoprene the less expensive choice.
Neoprene is also frequently worn by divers .The exposure protection wetsuits are filled with nitrogen, insulating the piece and keeping the divers at a safe temperature. Because of the nitrogen insulation the fabric is much more buoyant, requiring the divers to compensate by wearing weights in the water. For extreme water temperatures, the divers might purchase a thicker Neoprene wetsuit, which tends to be around 7mm thick, instead of the general 5mm. Since the Neoprene wetsuits contain spaces for air, the material will compress under water pressure, becoming thinner and thinner at great depths. In turn, purchasing a 7mm wetsuit will offer you less exposure protection under a hundred feet of water than if you were at the surface.
If you are not quite sure how neoprene actually contributes to the protection of the diver, this is basically how it works: Neoprene traps the water between the diver’s skin and the wetsuit itself. The diver’s own body heat warms the water against the skin, which reduces the body’s heat loss. The reduction of heat loss allows the diver to more comfortably stay in colder temperature water for a longer period of time. Water conducts heat warmth away from the body twenty five times more efficiently than air does. This is why some individuals can get hypothermia even in warm water on a warm day.
Neoprene wetsuits are closed-cell, foam, which is a synthetic rubber which contains ver small bubbles of nitrogen gas (which was mentioned before). Nitrogen has very low thermal conductivity which is why it reduces heat from being lost in the water. Some wetsuits have even gone as far to incorporate titanium and merino wool fibers to give additional warming characteristics, while keeping the suits thickness to minimum. The suit must be snug against the body in order to work properly. A loose fit will allow water to exit from between the body and suit taking the heat with it. Flexible seals at the cuffs also aid in water retention.
Not only diver’s use Neoprene wetsuits, but other sport enthusiasts such as wind-surfers and surfers. Recent advances for wetsuits have brought us the “super-flex” wetsuit which combines Neoprene and spandex, creating a much greater flexibility for those who use this fabric for sports often. Neoprene wetsuits are available and most sporting good stores and come in a variety of thickness, shapes, colors and
sizes.
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GI JOE COBRA 1993 WET-SUIT ACCESSORIES US $1.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:45:45 PDT Add to watch list |
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Cressi Baby 1.5MM Wetsuit XXL- Ages 8-10, 75-90 LBS US $29.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:03:47 PDT Add to watch list |
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American Girl Kailey Wet Suit Outfit US $18.27 (5 Bids) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:12:12 PDT Add to watch list |
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3/2mm Kid's & Junior's O'Neill REACTOR Wetsuit-12 US $79.95 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:16:34 PDT Add to watch list |
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Zoot Fuzion bib/john Wetsuit US $95.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:16:39 PDT Add to watch list |
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3/2mm Kid's & Junior's O'Neill REACTOR Wetsuit-4 US $79.95 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:22:36 PDT Add to watch list |
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Deep See Neoprene Black Hood Small Wetsuit Scuba Diving US $12.95 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:35:03 PDT Add to watch list |
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SLIPPERY WETSUIT PWC SKI WATERCRAFT WET MATRIX COMBO US $209.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:36:03 PDT Add to watch list |
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New 3MM WetSuit Shorty Diving Surfing Men's S,L,XL US $50.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:52:10 PDT Add to watch list |
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SLIPPERY WETSUIT PWC SKI WET REFORM JOHN SUIT US $124.95 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:55:36 PDT Add to watch list |