 Impermeability or water resistance – made of petroleum, Neoprene is entirely waterproof and moisture resistant. Whether in water or adverse environmental conditions, Neoprene fabric creates an impenetrable barrier against the external elements. This is one of the essential features of Neoprene, but it also comes with its most significant downside: no breathability.
- Provides Insulation – by protecting from environmental elements, chemical compounds, and weather conditions, Neoprene is a highly insulating material used in extreme conditions.
- Elasticity and versatility – as we have seen, Neoprene benefits from a wide range of temperatures in which it remains elastic and flexible. This property – coupled with the fact that this fabric is formed and not woven – makes Neoprene highly versatile.
- Thermo-regulating – as we have seen, Neoprene is insulating, but it can also retain heat. By being able to absorb and retain the heat from the body, Neoprene allows athletes and outdoors people to explore in extreme conditions.
Modern Neoprene also boasts other vital features, including:
- Overs UV and chemical resistance from solvents, petroleum-based fuels, and oils
- It is highly durable
- It is tear and abrasion-resistant
- It can be fire-resistant
These advantages are enough to convince manufacturers to leverage Neoprene. However, this compound comes with downsides that are worth considering:
- It is high in price
- It does not offer protection against esters, ketone, and oxidizing acids
- It cannot be an electrical insulator as it absorbs water over time
- It is not breathable and more suitable for short-term wearing
- Neoprene is harmful to the environment.
Application for Neoprene Fabric
As we have seen, Neoprene comes with a constellation of features that makes it a prime material for many projects. From sportswear to apparel, gear, and equipment, this material has never struggled to find new uses.
And, since it does not degrade like natural rubber, it can safely be used for long-term projects that require a reliable material at its core. Naturally, the uses of Neoprene are constantly changing, but some of the traditional uses of this material include:
- Apparel (belts and jackets)
- Wire insulation
- Sports Gear
- Mouse Pads
- Scuba diving and surfing gear
- Electronic cases
- Sports bras
- Lunch bags
- Gloves and medical gloves
There are only a few of the common ways in which Neoprene is used, but the military and manufacturing industry also has many other uses for this material.
Why Choose ARIAPRENE® for Neoprene Fabric Solution?
As we have seen, Neoprene is a tried and tested solution for those projects that require a versatile and durable material. Nonetheless, this fabric has been on the market for over a century, and, in the meanwhile, other, more efficient solutions have been made available.
Among these, there is ARIAPRENE®, an innovative, eco-friendly, and breathable alternative that has just as many uses as Neoprene – without the downsides.
What Is ARIAPRENE®?
Unlike Neoprene, ARIAPRENE® does not derive from the processing of petroleum. Instead, this material derives from chemical pellets, which are processed to create an elastic, breathable, and insulating closed-cell foam. ARIAPRENE® requires baking and forming using specialized machinery. Thanks to this characteristic, manufacturers can give ARIAPRENE® the desired shape and are never limited by the material’s initial features.
Thanks to this unique approach, ARIAPRENE® can maintain all of its core characteristics while also assuming the texture, color, and functionality desired by the manufacturer.
Being highly versatile and insulating, this material is slowly replacing classic Neoprene in various industries, from manufacturing to healthcare, sports and athletics, and apparel.
Benefits of ARIAPRENE®
Like Neoprene, ARIAPRENE® is insulating and resistant to various external factors, such as UV rays, certain chemical compounds, and pollutants. However, this material also boasts some unique benefits that have made it preferable over Neoprene. Here are the most i