Neoprene, also known as polychloroprene, is one of the first synthetic rubber products ever made. Developed in 1930 by a DuPont company scientist, neoprene is generally stronger and harder than natural rubber and more resistant to water, oils and solvents.
Uses & Benefits
Today, neoprene is used in a wide variety of applications including medical, automotive, building and construction, aquatics and electronics.
Medical Uses and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Because neoprene is flexible and able to maintain its shape over time, it can be used to make padding for wrist and knee orthopedic braces. Laboratory personnel who handle chemicals may use synthetic rubber gloves made of neoprene—which tend to offer good pliability, finger dexterity, high-density and tear resistance—to protect their hands from extended chemical contact. Gloves made with neoprene can help protect the wearer’s hands from hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols, organic acids and alkalis.
Automotive
Due to its abrasion-, tear-, oil- and weather-resistant properties, neoprene rubber is used to make auto parts, such as fan belts, hose covers, shock absorber seals, and breaking and steering system components. Neoprene fabrics are also commonly used to make car seat covers.
Building and Construction
Neoprene has a low oxidation rate and is used in a variety of building applications, including electrical insulation, adhesives and asphalt products. Thick neoprene-bearing pads are used in construction to endure the pressure of heavy weights and loads. Neoprene’s chemical inertness helps it resist impacts from weather, ozone and other outdoor variables, as well as withstand petroleum-based mixtures such as solvents, oils and greases.
Neoprene bearing pads are also used in bridges as a safety mechanism. They give bridges flexibility to minimize damage caused by movements. Because it is stable and unreactive, neoprene can also be used to make corrosion-resistant coatings and as a base for adhesives.
Electrical Applications
Due to its fire- and static-resistance properties, neoprene can be used as an insulator in power transformers, light bulbs and other electrical applications. Neoprene is also used in sealing gaskets for electricity to provide waterproof sealing, heat and static resistance and keep dust and contaminants out.
Aquatics and Scuba Fabrics
Neoprene is used to make wetsuits and fly fishing waders because it helps provide insulation against the cold. Wetsuits made from closed cell foam neoprene can provide insulation against cold water by trapping heat in the suit.
Other Uses
Neoprene’s cushioning abilities make it ideal for laptop sleeves and protection for other electronics. It is also used for exercise equipment as a soft coating for hand weights.
Safety Information
Neoprene is largely inert and therefore non-hazardous to consumers in products where it is used.
Exposure
Occupational exposure to chloroprene, which is used to make neoprene, can occur through skin contact or inhalation. Workers in neoprene manufacturing settings should take appropriate precautions to reduce or prevent exposure, such as wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and PPE to minimize contact with skin and eyes.
Symptoms
Symptoms of acute exposure to high concentrations of chloroprene include giddiness, irritability, dizziness, fatigue, headache and respiratory irritation. Acute exposure may also damage the kidneys, lungs, liver and affect the central nervous system. Chronic exposure can cause fatigue, chest pains and liver function abnormalities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not classified neoprene as a carcinogen, and using products that contain neoprene is unlikely to cause exposure to chloroprene, as the levels of chloroprene in most neoprene-containing products is very low.
Answering Questions
What is neoprene?
Neoprene, also known as polychloroprene, is one of the first synthetic rubber products ever made. It is stronger and harder than natural rubber and more resistant to water, oils and solvents. The terms polychloroprene and neoprene are interchangeable, both referring to the same family of synthetic rubbers produced by the polymerization of chloroprene.
Is neoprene toxic?
Neoprene itself is not considered toxic, but in a manufacturing setting, the gases from its production can be hazardous.
Is neoprene a carcinogenic material?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not classified neoprene as a carcinogen, and using products that contain neoprene is unlikely to cause exposure to chloroprene, as the levels of chloroprene in most neoprene-containing products is very low.
Is neoprene safe for skin contact?
Sensitivity to neoprene is rare, but may become more common as more products such as splints and knee braces are made with it. Skin contact with neoprene may cause an allergic reaction resulting in allergic contact dermatitis or heat rash.
Is neoprene waterproof?
Yes, neoprene is classified as a waterproof material and this makes it an ideal material for wetsuits and other gear to insulate the wearer from cold and wet environments.
Neoprene vs rubber: Why is neoprene used in place of natural rubber?
Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that is less sensitive to temperature changes than natural rubber, which can become brittle in cold weather and sticky in hot weather. Neoprene can also be made stronger, more resistant to heat, oil, solvents and water through vulcanization.
What is vulcanization?
Vulcanization refers to a range of processes for hardening different kinds of rubber. During vulcanization, “atomic bridges” of sulfur, called “cross-links,” are formed between chains of chloroprene molecules that make neoprene. The number of sulfur cross-links can determine the strength and hardness of neoprene, so manufacturers can choose the neoprene that has the most desired characteristics for a specific application.
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