The textile industry is advancing day by day with the addition of high-quality fabrics with promising properties. The materials are processed and created using advanced technologies in order to make them ideal for clothing products and other applications. Neoprene fabric is one of those materials that are synthetically made to have outstanding characteristics. It is considered an exceptional fabric for sportswear and outerwear.
However, many people who intend to enter the clothing or textile industry are unaware of the traits, applications, significance, origin, pros and cons of neoprene fabric. Which is why this blog can help them understand everything about this material.
Moreover, this guide is beneficial for consumers who buy neoprene-made apparel but don’t understand its functionality properly. Let’s dive into the knowledge about neoprene.
What Is Neoprene Fabric?
Neoprene fabric is created from polychloroprene, making it a synthetic material. Neoprene is waterproof, heat-resistant, chemical-resistant, elastic, and very durable. These traits make it ideal for fashion clothes, athleisure, sportswear, wetsuits, and protective gear. Manufacturers often blend it with other materials like polyester and nylon to add comfort and functionality.
Origin of Neoprene Material
Neoprene fabric is originally produced by the DuPont Corporation. The company produced this material as a substitute for rubber. The origin of neoprene goes back to the 20th century when rubber shortages encouraged companies to find alternatives by looking into synthetic materials.
DuPont, along with some other companies, researched synthetic compounds. They conducted experiments, which were successful in releasing a new material, polychloroprene, in 1930. Polychloroprene’s commercial name is neoprene.
What Is Neoprene Made Of?
Neoprene is a petrochemical substance due to being created by processing petroleum. It is made from polychloroprene, which is a synthetic rubber. Moreover, polychloroprene is an outcome of the polymerization of chloroprene, which is a colorless liquid monomer.
The resulting fabric is further blended with nylon, polyester, or elastane (also known as spandex or Lycra). Let’s break down the production process:
- Polychloroprene is in its liquid form before the process begins at the textile factories. The manufacturers enhance its elasticity by combining it with some additives.
- The material is placed in a mixture and an industrial oven to apply temperature or, to bake it in simple words. The baking results in a loaf, which can be cut down into pieces. This is where industrial machines are used to slice the loaf into 3mm-5mm thick pieces.
- The manufacturers make patterns on the polychloroprene pieces and then cut them into different shapes.
- Lastly, they sew the pieces together to form a complete fabric.
What Is Neoprene Fabric Used for?
Neoprene is a versatile material with various applications:
Clothing Products
Fashion apparel and women’s summer garments.
Industrial Applications
Neoprene is a popular choice in making many industrial products. It is often used to manufacture industrial machines requiring gaskets.
Accessories
Neoprene is used in making electronic cases to protect them from damage and scratches.
Sports Apparel
The most common use of neoprene fabric is to make swimwear like wetsuits and scuba suits since it is waterproof with high insulation. It is the job of skilled swimsuit manufacturers to create the perfect suits that keep the body warm and dry while indulging in water sports.
Military Applications
The military requires wetsuits, gaskets, and many other products with qualities that neoprene fabric offers. This is the reason many military applications employ this fabric. For the same reason, DuPont has been among the biggest contractors of the U.S. government.
What Are the Types of Neoprene Fabric?
There are two types of neoprene fabric:
- Organic Polychloroprene
- Synthetic Polychloroprene
Organic Polychloroprene
We understand that neoprene is by nature a synthetic material, and it is unlikely to be a fully natural fabric. However, natural limestone-based polychloroprene is also the talk of the town. It is an alternative to its petrochemical version, the synthetic neoprene.
It doesn’t qualify as a more biodegradable substance as compared to the synthetic neoprene. However, watersports enthusiasts find it promising in terms of smoothness and profound structure.
Synthetic Polychloroprene
Since polychloroprene is man-made and almost all of its kinds are made with petrochemicals, it is a synthetic material.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Neoprene Fabric?
Every fabric has its pros and cons. Neoprene also comes with some promising benefits and reasonable drawbacks. Let’s look at the list of its highs and lows:
Advantages
- High water resistance due to being made of petroleum.
- Insulation that protects from environmental elements, harsh weather, and chemical compounds.
- Thermoregulation is a plus point to retain heat.
- Elasticity makes it stretchy and durable to withstand harsh use that is required for sports.
Disadvantages
- Neoprene is an expensive fabric due to its production process and properties.
- Unlikely to function as an electrical insulator due to starting to absorb water over time.
- You cannot wear it for a long period since it is not a breathable material.
- Lacks protection against oxidizing agents, esters, and ketones.
- No sustainability and synthetic nature make it hazardous for the environment.
Where to Buy Neoprene Fabric Clothes?
Many clothing brands that deal in watersports apparel can provide you with the best types of neoprene fabric clothes. Also, consumers or brands that require custom water sports apparel made of neoprene look for manufacturing companies.
The reason is that skilled and renowned sportswear manufacturers have high-quality neoprene and other sports materials. Their resourcefulness and industry experience make them a valuable option to make ideal neoprene fabric clothes.
Conclusion
Neoprene fabric is one of the popular materials that is used for fashion, sports (especially watersports), and other applications. It is a synthetic fabric made from polychloroprene through petroleum processing. This fabric is heat resistant, water resistant, and durable. However, it is not breathable, biodegradable, and sustainable.
It is not as affordable as organic materials due to its properties and chemical production. Moreover, everything you need to know about neoprene fabric is present in the blog, as it can help customers and brands big time in knowing the characteristics, applications, origin, pros, and cons of neoprene.