As a synthetic rubber, neoprene rubber, vs rubber, is composed of chemical compounds, making it stronger and more durable than natural rubber. Due to its chemical makeup, neoprene sheeting is a common material used to create industrial neoprene parts. Neoprene rubber parts are resilient and long-lasting products that can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings. Unlike natural rubber, neoprene can resist damage caused by harsh environmental factors, physical impacts and abrasion, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. Neoprene sheeting is available in solid and cellular forms and in 5 durometers, allowing you to find the correct hardness and properties needed for your application. The properties of neoprene rubber, vs rubber, make it a stronger and longer-lasting material than natural rubber, allowing it to be used in more abrasive applications.
Is Neoprene a Good Material?
Neoprene is a good material that can provide long-lasting and reliable applications in both indoor and outdoor settings. Neoprene rubber material, or polychloroprene, is a synthetic material that is produced by polymerizing the chemical compound chloroprene rather than using organic materials. As a synthetic rubber, the properties of neoprene rubber are enhanced and are stronger than that of natural rubber. Case in point, neoprene sheeting is “valued for its high tensile strength, resilience, oil and flame resistance, and resistance to degradation by oxygen and ozone” (Britannica.com). Whether you are using solid or cellular neoprene rubber material, these properties are seen throughout all types of neoprene sheeting. Solid neoprene rubber parts are commonly used for protective applications against heavy impacts and objects. Solid industrial neoprene is available in various durometers, or hardness, including 45A, 50A, 60A, 70A, and 80A. Durometer refers to the hardness of a material with the material becoming harder as the durometer rating rises. The lower the durometer the more flexible and pliable the neoprene rubber material will be and vice versa. Although lower durometer neoprene sheeting is softer and more elastic, due to the material’s excellent tear strength, it can stretch without tearing and return to its original form without suffering damage. Contrastingly, cellular neoprene rubber material is available in open and closed cell forms. Cellular neoprene rubber parts are best used for highly compressive applications rather than protective applications like solid neoprene. Cellular neoprene rubber material is a lightweight material that is characterized by its porous and airy structure. Although cellular neoprene rubber parts retain the same resistance properties against damaging environmental factors, oil, and flame, they are not as impact absorbent and tear resistant as solid industrial neoprene. Closed cell neoprene is denser than open cell neoprene and is highly moisture resistant, allowing it to be used outdoors and in moisture-intensive settings whereas open cell neoprene is extremely porous and absorbent. Due to the properties of neoprene rubber, both solid and cellular neoprene, vs rubber, can be used for abrasive industrial, commercial, and residential applications, making them resilient and good materials.
(a) Is Neoprene Better Than Rubber?
Neoprene is better than rubber due to its enhanced physical and chemical properties. Neoprene rubber material “displays good resistance to ozone cracking, heat aging, and chemical attack” (polymerdatabase.com). The properties of neoprene rubber are brought on by its chemical composition. Neoprene, vs rubber, is created through the polymerization of chloroprene, hence the name polychloroprene. This synthetic rubber is produced using chemicals, including petrochemicals, while natural rubber is harvested from the rubber tree, or Hevea brasiliensis. Although natural rubber retains excellent physical strength and elasticity, it is highly susceptible to damage caused by extreme temperatures and environmental factors. Neoprene rubber material retains a wide operating temperature range of -20 to +212 degrees Fahrenheit whereas natural rubber has an operating temperature range of -20 to +170 degrees Fahrenheit. Its wide temperature resistance range allows industrial neoprene to remain solid at high temperatures and resist cracking and embrittlement at low temperatures. Additionally, outdoor environmental factors are highly damaging to most materials, including natural rubber. Natural rubber will be susceptible to discoloration and cracking caused by exposure to ozone. Furthermore, neoprene rubber material is also more chemically resistant than natural rubber. It can resist the degrading effects of oils and greases whereas natural rubber cannot. Overall, neoprene rubber material is better than rubber because it can withstand harsher settings and environments than natural rubber.
Neoprene rubber, vs rubber, can provide resilient physical and chemical properties that can provide long-lasting protection in the face of harsh settings. Compared to neoprene rubber, natural rubber will be damaged by damaging environmental factors, extreme temperatures, and caustic chemicals and oils. Due to its chemical composition, the properties of neoprene rubber allow it to resist damage caused by environmental factors, such as UV rays, ozone, oxygen, and moisture, high and low temperatures, and resistance to harsh chemicals and oils. These properties allow neoprene rubber parts to provide reliable and long-lasting applications in indoor and outdoor settings. Overall, natural rubber and its properties are outmatched by neoprene rubber material and its enhanced chemical and physical properties.
