View source for Neoprene

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| ImageCaption = A neck seal, wrist seal, manual vent, inflator, zip and fabric of a neoprene [[dry suit]]. The soft seal material at the neck and wrists is made from single backed closed-cell foam neoprene for elasticity. The slick unbacked side seals against the skin. The blue area is double-backed with knit [[nylon]] fabric laminated onto closed cell foamed neoprene for toughness. Some insulation is provided by the suit, and the rest by garments worn underneath.
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| Density = 1.23&nbsp;g/cm<sup>3</sup> (solid)<br>0.1-0.3&nbsp;g/cm<sup>3</sup> (foam)
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'''Neoprene''' (also '''polychloroprene''') is a family of [[synthetic rubber]]s that are produced by [[polymerization]] of [[chloroprene]].<ref name=Ullmann>Werner Obrecht, Jean-Pierre Lambert, Michael Happ, Christiane Oppenheimer-Stix, John Dunn and Ralf Krüger "Rubber, 4. Emulsion Rubbers" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 2012, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. {{doi|10.1002/14356007.o23_o01}}</ref> Neoprene exhibits good chemical stability and maintains flexibility over a wide temperature range. Neoprene is sold either as solid rubber or in [[latex]] form and is used in a wide variety of commercial applications, such as [[laptop]] sleeves, [[orthopaedic]] braces (wrist, knee, etc.), [[electrical insulation]], [[medical glove]]s, liquid and sheet-applied elastomeric membranes or flashings, and [[Motor vehicle|automotive]] fan [[belt (mechanical)|belt]]s.<ref name="dpe2003">{{cite web |title=Technical information — Neoprene |publisher=Du Pont Performance Elastomers |date=October 2003 |url=http://www.dupontelastomers.com/literature/neoprene/585E7A59DA93810F6B1A7900D3712585.pdf |access-date=2008-02-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829161622/http://www.dupontelastomers.com/literature/neoprene/585E7A59DA93810F6B1A7900D3712585.pdf |archive-date=2008-08-29}}</ref>

==Production==
Neoprene is produced by free-radical polymerization of [[chloroprene]]. In commercial production, this polymer is prepared by [[Emulsion_polymerization|free radical emulsion polymerization]]. Polymerization is initiated using [[potassium persulfate]]. Bifunctional nucleophiles, metal oxides (e.g. zinc oxide), and [[thiourea]]s are used to crosslink individual polymer strands.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Furman |first=Glenn E. |date=14 October 2005 |title=Chloroprene Polymers |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology |publisher=Wiley Online Library |isbn=0471440264 |doi=10.1002/0471440264.pst053}}</ref>

==History==
Neoprene was invented by [[DuPont]] scientists on April 17, 1930, after [[Elmer Keiser Bolton|Elmer K. Bolton]] of DuPont attended a lecture by [[priesthood (Catholic Church)|Fr]] [[Julius Arthur Nieuwland]], a professor of [[chemistry]] at the [[University of Notre Dame]]. Nieuwland's research was focused on [[acetylene]] chemistry and during the course of his work he produced divinyl acetylene, a jelly that firms into an elastic compound similar to rubber when passed over [[sulfur dichloride]]. After DuPont purchased the [[patent]] rights from the university, [[Wallace Carothers]] of DuPont took over commercial development of Nieuwland's discovery in collaboration with Nieuwland himself and DuPont chemists [[Arnold M. Collins|Arnold Collins]], [[Ira Williams]] and James Kirby.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Carothers |first1=Wallace H. |last2=Williams |first2=Ira. |last3=Collins |first3=Arnold M. |last4=Kirby |first4=James E. |title=Acetylene Polymers and Their Derivatives. Ii. A New Synthetic Rubber: Chloroprene and ITS Polymers |journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society |date=November 1931 |volume=53 |issue=11 |pages=4203–4225 |doi=10.1021/ja01362a042}}</ref> Collins focused on monovinyl acetylene and allowed it to react with [[hydrogen chloride]] gas, manufacturing [[chloroprene]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Smith |first=John K. |title=The Ten-Year Invention: Neoprene and Du Pont Research, 1930-1939 |journal=Technology and Culture |date=January 1985 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=34–55 |jstor=3104528 |doi=10.2307/3104528 |s2cid=113234844}}</ref>

DuPont first marketed the compound in 1931 under the trade name DuPrene,<ref name=DPOverview>{{cite web |title=Neoprene: 1930 - Overview |work=DuPont Heritage |publisher=DuPont |url=http://www2.dupont.com/Heritage/en_US/1930_dupont/1930_neoprene_overview.html |access-date=29 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309034556/http://www2.dupont.com/Heritage/en_US/1930_dupont/1930_neoprene_overview.html |archive-date=9 March 2012}}</ref> but its commercial possibilities were limited by the original manufacturing process, which left the product with a foul odor.<ref name="HounshellSmith">{{cite book |last1=Hounshell |first1=David A. |last2=Smith |first2=John Kenly |title=Science and Corporate Strategy: Du Pont R&D, 1902-1980 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/sciencecorporate0008houn/page/253 253–257] |year=1988 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge [Cambridgeshire] |isbn=0-521-32767-9 |edition=Repr. |url=https://archive.org/details/sciencecorporate0008houn/page/253 |url-access=registration}}</ref> A new process was developed, which eliminated the odor-causing byproducts and halved production costs, and the company began selling the material to manufacturers of finished end-products.<ref name="HounshellSmith"/> To prevent shoddy manufacturers from harming the product's reputation, the trademark DuPrene was restricted to apply only to the material sold by DuPont.<ref name="HounshellSmith"/> Since the company itself did not manufacture any DuPrene-containing end products, the trademark was dropped in 1937 and replaced with a generic name, neoprene, in an attempt "to signify that the material is an ingredient, not a finished consumer product".<ref name=DPInDepth>{{cite web |title=Neoprene: 1930 - In Depth |work=DuPont Heritage |publisher=DuPont |url=http://www2.dupont.com/Heritage/en_US/1930_dupont/1930_neoprene_indepth.html |access-date=29 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510154449/http://www2.dupont.com/Heritage/en_US/1930_dupont/1930_neoprene_indepth.html |archive-date=10 May 2011}}</ref> DuPont then worked extensively to generate demand for its product, implementing a marketing strategy that included publishing its own technical journal, which extensively publicized neoprene's uses as well as advertising other companies' neoprene-based products.<ref name="HounshellSmith"/> By 1939, sales of neoprene were generating profits over $300,000 for the company ({{Inflation|US|300000|1939|r=-5|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="HounshellSmith"/>

== Mechanical Properties ==
The high tensile performance of neoprene is a result of its highly regular backbone structure, which causes neoprene to undergo [[strain crystallization]] under tensile loading.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Harris' shock and vibration handbook |date=2002 |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=978-0-07-137081-3 |editor-last=Harris |editor-first=Cyril M. |edition=5th |series=McGraw-Hill handbooks |location=New York |pages=Ch. 33 |editor-last2=Piersol |editor-first2=Allan G.}}</ref> A two parameter (strain rate and temperature) hyperelastic model can accurately capture much of the mechanical response of neoprene.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Trivedi |first1=A. R. |last2=Siviour |first2=C. R. |date=2020-09-01 |title=A Simple Rate–Temperature Dependent Hyperelastic Model Applied to Neoprene Rubber |journal=Journal of Dynamic Behavior of Materials |language=en |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=336–347 |doi=10.1007/s40870-020-00252-w |bibcode=2020JDBM....6..336T |issn=2199-7454|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Exposure to acetone and heat have been shown to degrade the tensile strength and ultimate elongation of neoprene, likely due to a loss of [[Plasticizer|plasticizers]] as well as an increase in crosslinking during heat exposure.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gao |first1=Pengfei |last2=Tomasovic |first2=Beth |date=November 2005 |title=Change in Tensile Properties of Neoprene and Nitrile Gloves After Repeated Exposures to Acetone and Thermal Decontamination |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15459620500315964 |journal=Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene |language=en |volume=2 |issue=11 |pages=543–552 |doi=10.1080/15459620500315964 |pmid=16276643 |issn=1545-9624 |access-date=2024-05-13 |archive-date=2024-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513035136/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15459620500315964 |url-status=live }}</ref> The response of neoprene to thermal aging depends not just on the highest temperature it is exposed to, but also on the exact temperature-time profile; this is a result of the competing factors of [[Chain scission|scission]] of the main polymer chain and oxidative cross-linking.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Alazhary |first1=Sharif |last2=Shaafaey |first2=Mamoon |last3=Bahrololoumi |first3=Amir |last4=Dargazany |first4=Roozbeh |date=2024-03-18 |title=Investigating the effects of sequential aging temperature profiles on the response of neoprene rubber |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-024-03910-y |journal=Journal of Polymer Research |language=en |volume=31 |issue=4 |pages=102 |doi=10.1007/s10965-024-03910-y |issn=1572-8935}}</ref> Chain scission leads to degradation, [[embrittlement]], and a loss of toughness.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fayolle |first1=Bruno |last2=Richaud |first2=Emmanuel |last3=Colin |first3=Xavier |last4=Verdu |first4=Jacques |date=2008 |title=Review: degradation-induced embrittlement in semi-crystalline polymers having their amorphous phase in rubbery state |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10853-008-3005-3 |journal=Journal of Materials Science |language=en |volume=43 |issue=22 |pages=6999–7012 |doi=10.1007/s10853-008-3005-3 |bibcode=2008JMatS..43.6999F |issn=0022-2461 |access-date=2024-05-13 |archive-date=2024-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907071833/https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10853-008-3005-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Oxidation reactions in the presence of heating leads to increased cross-linking, which in turn causes hardening.<ref name=":1" /> The interplay of both these factors determines the resulting effect on material mechanical properties; cross-linking is thought to dominate for neoprene.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ito |first1=Masayuki |last2=Okada |first2=Sohei |last3=Kuriyama |first3=Isamu |date=1981-01-01 |title=The deterioration of mechanical properties of chloroprene rubber in various conditions |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00552053 |journal=Journal of Materials Science |language=en |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=10–16 |doi=10.1007/BF00552053 |bibcode=1981JMatS..16...10I |issn=1573-4803 |access-date=2024-05-13 |archive-date=2024-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907071833/https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00552053 |url-status=live }}</ref>

As neoprene is used to make electric cable jackets in nuclear power plants, the effect of [[gamma radiation]] on the mechanical properties of neoprene has also been investigated. Chain scission, possibly triggered by [[Radical (chemistry)|free radicals]] from irradiated oxygen, is seen to deteriorate the mechanical properties of neoprene.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ito |first1=Masayuki |last2=Okada |first2=Sohei |last3=Kuriyama |first3=Isamu |date=1981-01-01 |title=The deterioration of mechanical properties of chloroprene rubber in various conditions |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00552053 |journal=Journal of Materials Science |language=en |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=10–16 |doi=10.1007/BF00552053 |bibcode=1981JMatS..16...10I |issn=1573-4803 |access-date=2024-05-13 |archive-date=2024-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907071833/https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00552053 |url-status=live }}</ref> Likewise, the tensile strength, hardness, and ultimate elongation of neoprene can also be degraded upon exposure to [[microwave radiation]], which is of interest in the devulcanization process<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Scagliusi |first1=Sandra |last2=Araújo |first2=Sumair G. |last3=Landini |first3=Liliane |last4=Lugão |first4=Ademar B. |date=2009 |title=STUDY OF PROPERTIES OF CHLOROPRENE RUBBER DEVULCANIZATE BY RADIATION IN MICROWAVE |url=https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/41/097/41097057.pdf |journal=2009 International Nuclear Atlantic Conference |access-date=2024-05-13 |archive-date=2024-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513035133/https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/41/097/41097057.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Finally, [[ultraviolet radiation]] is seen to decrease the mechanical properties of neoprene, which is important for outdoors applications of neoprene.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chou |first1=Hsoung-Wei |last2=Huang |first2=Jong-Shin |date=2008-12-05 |title=Effects of ultraviolet irradiation on the static and dynamic properties of neoprene rubbers |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/app.28903 |journal=Journal of Applied Polymer Science |language=en |volume=110 |issue=5 |pages=2907–2913 |doi=10.1002/app.28903 |issn=0021-8995 |access-date=2024-05-13 |archive-date=2024-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907071952/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/app.28903 |url-status=live }}</ref> 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Mechanical Properties of Neoprene
|-
! Property
! Value
|-
| Ultimate tensile strength
| 27.579 MPa (4000 PSI)<ref name=":0" />
|-
|Young's modulus
|6.136 MPa (890 PSI)<ref>{{Cite web |title=MatWeb - The Online Materials Information Resource |url=https://www.matweb.com/errorUser.aspx?msgid=2&ckck=nocheck |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=www.matweb.com |archive-date=2024-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907071909/https://www.matweb.com/errorUser.aspx?msgid=2&ckck=nocheck |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Ultimate elongation
| 600%<ref name=":0" />
|-
| Hardness ([[Shore durometer|Durometer]])
| 30–95<ref name=":0" />
|-
|[[Glass transition temperature]]
| -43°C<ref name=":0" />
|-
|[[Storage modulus]] (measured at 1 Hz)
|7.83 MPa (1135.646 PSI)<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Luo |first1=Xiangcheng |last2=Chung |first2=D. D. L. |date=2000-01-01 |title=Vibration damping using flexible graphite |url=https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2000Carbo..38.1510L |journal=Carbon |volume=38 |issue=10 |pages=1510–1512 |doi=10.1016/S0008-6223(00)00111-1 |bibcode=2000Carbo..38.1510L |access-date=2024-05-13 |archive-date=2024-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907071959/https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2000Carbo..38.1510L |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[Loss modulus]] (measured at 1 Hz)
|8.23 MPa (1193.661 PSI) <ref name=":2" />
|}

==Applications==

===General===
[[File:Xtra tufs.jpg|thumb|upright|Two styles of well-worn [[Xtratuf]] boots made with neoprene]]

Neoprene resists degradation more than [[natural rubber|natural]] or [[synthetic rubber]]. This relative inertness makes neoprene well suited for demanding applications such as [[gasket]]s, [[hose (tubing)|hoses]], and [[corrosion]]-resistant [[coating]]s.<ref name=Ullmann/> It can be used as a base for [[adhesive]]s, noise isolation in power [[transformer]] installations, and as padding in external metal cases to protect the contents while allowing a snug fit. It resists burning better than exclusively [[hydrocarbon]] based rubbers,<ref name="dpe1">{{cite web |title=Neoprene - polychloroprene |publisher=DuPont Elastomers |url=http://www.dupontelastomers.com/Products/neoprene/neoprene.asp?id=wikineo |access-date=2008-04-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111161141/http://www.dupontelastomers.com/Products/neoprene/neoprene.asp?id=wikineo |archive-date=2008-01-11}}</ref> resulting in its appearance in weather stripping for [[fire door]]s and in combat related attire such as gloves and face masks. Because of its tolerance of extreme conditions, neoprene is used to line landfills. Neoprene's burn point is around 260&nbsp;°C (500&nbsp;°F).<ref>{{cite web |title=3E Protect |website=MSDS.DuPont.com |url=http://msds.dupont.com/msds/pdfs/EN/PEN_09004a35803d9eb8.pdf |access-date=14 October 2017 |archive-date=27 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027042704/http://msds.dupont.com/msds/pdfs/EN/PEN_09004a35803d9eb8.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In its native state, neoprene is a very pliable rubber-like material with insulating properties similar to rubber or other solid plastics.

Neoprene foam is used in many applications and is produced in either closed-cell or open-cell form. The closed-cell form is [[waterproof]], less compressible and more expensive. The open-cell form can be [[breathable]]. It is manufactured by foaming the rubber with [[nitrogen]] gas, where the tiny enclosed and separated gas bubbles can also serve as insulation. Nitrogen gas is most commonly used for the foaming of neoprene foam due to its inertness, flame resistance, and large range of processing temperatures.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Maier |first1=Clive |last2=Calafut |first2=Teresa |title=Polypropylene: The Definitive User's Guide and Databook |publisher=Plastics Design Library |date=1998 |chapter=Additives}}</ref>

===Civil engineering===
Neoprene is used as a component of [[elastomeric bridge bearing]]s, to support heavy loads while permitting small horizontal movements.<ref>Damon Allen.[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267957641_STIFFNESS_EVALUATION_OF_NEOPRENE_BEARING_PADS_UNDER_LONG-TERM_LOADS Stiffness Evaluation of Neoprene Bearing Pads under Long-Term Loads]. A Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of The University Of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. University Of Florida 2008</ref>

===Aquatics===
Neoprene is a popular material in making protective clothing for aquatic activities. Foamed neoprene is commonly used to make [[fly fishing]] waders, [[wetsuit]]s, and [[drysuit]]s as it provides excellent insulation against cold. The foam is quite buoyant, and divers compensate for this by wearing weights.<ref>{{cite web |title=Weight Systems |url=https://www.ndiver.com/diving-equipment/weights |access-date=2024-02-02 |archive-date=2024-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907071834/https://www.ndiver.com/diving-equipment/weights |url-status=live }}</ref> Since foam neoprene contains gas pockets, the material compresses under water pressure, getting thinner at greater depths; a 7&nbsp;mm neoprene wet suit offers much less exposure protection under 100 feet of water than at the surface. A recent advance in neoprene for wet suits is the "super-flex" variety, which uses [[spandex]] in the knit liner fabric for greater flexibility and stretch.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wetsuit lining |website=srface.com |url=https://srface.com/knowledge-base/wetsuit-lining/ |access-date=28 December 2021 |archive-date=28 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228165137/https://srface.com/knowledge-base/wetsuit-lining/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Face Fabrics |website=PerfectEx.com |date=17 April 2020 |url=https://www.perfectex.com/neoprene-laminated-fabrics/|access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref> A drysuit is similar to a wetsuit, but uses thicker and more durable neoprene to create an entirely [[waterproof]] suit that is suitable for wear in extremely cold water or [[pollution|polluted]] water.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

===Home accessories===
Recently, neoprene has become a favorite material for lifestyle and other home accessories including [[laptop]] sleeves, [[tablet computer|tablet]] holders, [[remote control]]s, [[mouse pad]]s, and cycling chamois.

===Music===
The [[Rhodes piano]] used hammer tips made of neoprene in its electric pianos, after changing from felt hammers around 1970.<ref>{{cite web |title=Steve's Corner - Hammer Tips |website=FenderRhodes.com |url=https://www.fenderrhodes.com/service/hammer-tips.html |access-date=14 October 2017 |archive-date=15 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015044042/http://www.fenderrhodes.com/service/hammer-tips.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Neoprene is also used for speaker cones and drum practice pads.<ref>{{cite web |title=4 Great Drum Mutes |website=Making Music |date=February 20, 2015 |url=https://makingmusicmag.com/4-great-drum-mutes/ |access-date=December 7, 2018}}
</ref>

===Hydroponic gardening===
[[Hydroponics|Hydroponic]] and aerated gardening systems make use of small neoprene inserts to hold plants in place while propagating cuttings or using net cups. Inserts are relatively small, ranging in size from {{convert|1.5|to|5|in|cm|0}}. Neoprene is a good choice for supporting plants because of its flexibility and softness, allowing plants to be held securely in place without the chance of causing damage to the stem. Neoprene root covers also help block out light from entering the rooting chamber of hydroponic systems, allowing for better root growth and helping to deter the growth of algae.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}}

===Face mask===
During the [[COVID-19]] global pandemic, neoprene was identified by some health experts as an effective material to use for home made face masks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coronavirus Face Masks: What You Should Know |website=Web MD |date=November 8, 2019 |url=https://www.webmd.com/covid/coronavirus-face-masks |access-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-date=September 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907071833/https://www.webmd.com/covid/coronavirus-face-masks |url-status=live }}</ref> Some commercial face mask manufacturers that use neoprene have claimed 99.9% filtration for particles as small as 0.1 microns.<ref>{{cite web |title=RZ Mask FAQ |website=RZ Face Mask |date=March 11, 2020 |url=https://rzmask.com/pages/faq |access-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617080227/https://rzmask.com/pages/faq |url-status=live }}</ref> The size of [[coronavirus]] is identified to be on average 0.125 microns.<ref>{{cite book |date=February 12, 2015 | pmc=4369385 |last1=Fehr |first1=A. R. |last2=Perlman |first2=S. |title=Coronaviruses |chapter=Coronaviruses: An Overview of Their Replication and Pathogenesis |series=Methods in Molecular Biology |volume=1282 |pages=1–23 |isbn=978-1-4939-2437-0 |doi=10.1007/978-1-4939-2438-7_1 |pmid=25720466}}
</ref>

===Other===
{{Cite section|date=May 2024}}
[[File:Neoprene pants.jpg|thumb|upright|A woman wearing neoprene [[leggings]]]]

Neoprene is used for [[Halloween]] masks and masks used for face protection, to make waterproof automotive seat covers, in liquid and sheet-applied elastomeric roof membranes or flashings, and in a neoprene-[[spandex]] mixture for manufacture of [[wheelchair]] positioning harnesses.

In tabletop wargames, neoprene mats printed with grassy, sandy, icy, or other natural features have become popular gaming surfaces. They are durable, firm and stable, and attractive in appearance, and also favoured for their ability to roll up in storage but lie flat when unrolled.

Because of its chemical resistance and overall durability, neoprene is sometimes used in the manufacture of dishwashing gloves, especially as an alternative to [[latex]].

In fashion, neoprene has been used by designers such as [[Gareth Pugh]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Dress {{!}} Gareth Pugh |website=[[Victoria and Albert Museum]] |date=December 2, 2011 |url=https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1242051/dress-gareth-pugh/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |archive-date=2024-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813141955/https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1242051/dress-gareth-pugh/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Balenciaga]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Dress {{!}} Nicolas Ghesquière |date=December 2, 2011 |website=[[Victoria and Albert Museum]] |url=https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1242046/dress-nicolas-ghesqui%C3%A8re/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |archive-date=2024-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813141404/https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1242046/dress-nicolas-ghesqui%C3%A8re/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Rick Owens]], [[Lanvin (clothing)|Lanvin]], and [[Vera Wang]].

Neoprene was also used as an experimental fabric to upholster a mirror by designer Flavia Brilli for her mirror brand [[Jazz Frames]].{{cn|date=September 2024}}[[File:'Silver Zeppelin' Mirror Design by artist Flavia Brilli.jpg|thumb|Mirror upholstered in silver neoprene by designer Flavia Brilli; owner of Jazz Frames mirror shop]]

==Precautions==
Some people are allergic to neoprene while others can get dermatitis from [[thiourea]] residues left from its production.{{Clarify|reason=Is there a clear difference here?  As I understood it the allergy was to the sulfur-based accelerators, and manifested as dermatitis.|date=May 2024}}

The most common [[vulcanizing accelerators|accelerator]] in the [[vulcanization]] of polychloroprene is [[ethylene thiourea]] (ETU), which has been classified as a [[reprotoxic|reproductive toxin]]. From 2010 to 2013, the European rubber industry had a research project titled SafeRubber to develop a safer alternative to the use of ETU.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Safer Alternative Replacement for Thiourea Based Accelerators in the Production Process of Chloroprene Rubber |website=cordis.europa.eu |url=https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/243756 |access-date=2024-04-25 |archive-date=2023-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524004829/https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/243756 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Isoprene]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Neoprene}}
* [https://findingaids.hagley.org/repositories/3/resources/1084 DuPont Performance Elastomers, L.L.C. historical files on Neoprene], at [[Hagley Museum and Library]]

{{Rubber}}
{{DuPont}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:American inventions]]
[[Category:Brand name materials]]
[[Category:Dielectrics]]
[[Category:DuPont products]]
[[Category:Elastomers]]
[[Category:U.S. Synthetic Rubber Program]]