Neoprene
What is neoprene
NEOPRENE is often associated with the production of diving suits, but this is just one of the many applications of this versatile material.
Today, neoprene is not used exclusively in sports; in fact, requests from a wide variety of fields are becoming increasingly frequent. The growing interest in this material is fully justified by the wide range of applications it offers.
Neoprene is a man-made, spongy product with a microcellular structure; in some ways it is similar to rubber, but it is lighter and has a high thermal and insulation capacity, so this material acts as a barrier between different environments, such as between hot and cold, or between air and water.
Then considering its spongy structure, it also provides protection against vibration and shock.
How we sell neoprene
Neoprene is always sold in sheets, as the production technology involves vulcanizing the material into large sheets that are then cut. This process ensures uniformity in the thickness and quality of the material, making it impossible to sell by the meter as is the case with traditional fabrics.
The approximate size of SHEICO neoprene sheets is 120 x 210 cm with a +/- 5% tolerance(please note: these measurements do not apply to certain types of sheets, such as those with Kevlar or J or C rubber. If you need to know the actual size of a sheet, please contact us).
The thickness of the sheets, referring to the foam alone (thus excluding liners), ranges from a minimum of 0.5 mm to a maximum of 10 mm, with a tolerance of +/- 0.3 mm. Since these are cellular foams, all measurements and dimensions are subject to tolerances.
Neoprene can be made in different foams, which will therefore modify the technical characteristics of the material accordingly (density, thermal, elasticity, compressibility…), can be perforated to allow breathability, and can be made from low-flammability compounds.
The term “neoprene” means only the “rubbery” part of the material. The finish of the faces can be defined as desired.
Various alternatives are available both for the finish of the rubber (open cell, smooth, knurled…) and for the variety of fabrics that can be laminated on its surface (nylon, polyester, Lycra, plush, more elastic fabrics, stronger fabrics…in a wide range of dyes). Sheets can be unlined, single-lined, double-lined, or sandwich type.
Our warehouse is organized to ensure awide selection of neoprene sheets, with over 500 different types available for prompt delivery.
For sheets that are not available in stock, you can request their customized production according to your preferences and needs.
Certificates
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Although we are great admirers of products of Italian origin, our neoprene is produced in the Far East (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan …). Let’s see why!
First of all, it should be pointed out that the neoprene sheet is generally composed of the foam (CR) and any fabrics laminated on one or two sides, or in special cases, also on the inside.
The main CR foams we market are “oil free,” that is, they are made without petroleum derivatives, confirming our desire to pursue environmental and health compatibility goals.
The commodity sector in which we operate requires materials with certain characteristics of quality, comfort, strength and softness, and the manufacturers we have selected are all committed to researching and developing products specifically for these niche markets.
Neoprene made in Europe is mainly dedicated to the industrial market, and although geographically more attractive, it has characteristics that make it unattractive in the “water sport,” apparel, and accessories sectors.
The key difference is the quality of the fabric lamination: in the “water sport” sector, the tightness of the bonding of the fabric to the foam is crucial, due to the frequent use of the products in often aggressive environments (e.g., seawater).
For this reason, the manufacturers of the neoprene sheets we market give top priority to the search for increasingly high-performance, environmentally oriented adhesives.
The first “toluene free” glues are currently being tested , representing a decisive step toward increasingly “green” products.
neoprene is sold in sheets, the approximate size of which is 120×220 cm (+/-5%).
Yes, neoprene is a waterproof material; under normal conditions, its closed microcell structure does not allow air/water to pass through.
– wash at 30° with a common detergent
– do not bleach
– do not iron or use other heat sources
Currently, the sheets have a minimum thickness of 0.5 mm.
Neoprene sheet is usually offered in three versions:
– double-lined: both faces are covered with fabric
– single-lined: only one face covered with fabric
– unlined: no face covered with fabric
The fabrics most frequently laminated are a in nylon or polyester yarn. They can have different weights depending on the functionality required.
Nylon is the most widely used fabric, except for fluorescent and very light colors, where a very opaque polyester is used to keep the colors very bright, without showing through the color of the neoprene to which it is laminated.
In laminating neoprene, fabrics are applied with solvent-based or water-based adhesives. This is a ‘very remote eventuality, although not impossible. If neoprene is used in marine environments, salty as well as UV rays can deteriorate the material, but using the best adhesives, developed for this type of use, drastically reduces this possibility of delamination.
All dark colors are on average very durable; more rapid deterioration/fading is noted in light colors and especially fluorescent colors, due to less UV-resistant pigmentation.
Neoprene sheet faces, when not lined with fabric, can have different finishes:
smooth (smooth skin, Glide): the face appears uniformly smooth. It can be natural black, or in other colors.
open cell/split (open cell): the face appears porous.
The elasticity of the sheet depends on the ‘elasticity of the laminated fabrics. The sheet will have the elasticity equal to the least elastic laminated fabric.
Yes, especially the unlaminated sheet, which is not lined by fabric.
Yes, the neoprene panels can be joined by gluing in order to maintain and ensure the waterproofing of the product and can be sewn. If you do not want to affect the waterproofing of the product, the stitching should be non-passing.
The stitching can only be applied if there are liners on both panels.
Neoprene-based glue is recommended for joining neoprene. This glue will not be optimal in case you are trying to glue something onto the neoprene liner.
When it becomes necessary to machine sew a sheet of unlined neoprene, the question arises as to how to prevent the rubber from jamming in the machine’s mechanisms.
In fact, the rubber causes friction on the roller, the sheet does not slide, the thread gets knotted … and sewing is difficult, if not impossible.
To get around this problem, you can:
use a sewing machine with a double feed foot
interpose a sheet of tissue paper between the rubber and the machine roller
use special silicone sprays that make the rubber and the needle slippery.
VARIOUSTYPES OF SEWING
OVERLOCK
Overlock stitching, in our industry, is typically used for two types of applications:
finishing hems
fast assembly of very thin panels
Finishing: in addition to a prettier appearance, overlock stitching finishing the edge/hem (of a sleeve, pant leg, hood, ..) protects the product from minor delaminations and fraying.
Assembly: many neoprene accessories are made with this seam, which does not require pre-gluing the parts. Overlock stitching does not guarantee any waterproofing.
FLATLOCK
It is a flat seam, very durable suitable even for thin neoprene. It is very decorative but not waterproof; it can be made by using yarns of different colors at the same time.
BLINDSTITCH
This is the typical seam for neoprene products:the needle does not completely pierce the neoprene, so the seam is waterproof, and the chain-like structure ensures elasticity.
WELDED There are no seams but the neoprene is only glued.
