Water Resistance of Neoprene
Abstract Superior water resistance of well-cured Neoprene, like that of natural rubber, depends upon the absence of water-soluble ingredients and agents that are capable of absorbing water. It has been shown that the water resistance of Neoprene varies greatly with different activating agents. This paper includes a more detailed study of the water absorption of Neoprene—magnesia—zinc oxide compounds and describes certain loaded stocks with improved water resistance. The water absorption was determined by the method already outlined, using slabs 0.20 cm. thick. Calculation of Water Absorption The water absorption can be calculated from the increase in weight or from the increase in volume of a stock during immersion in water. A difference between these values is an indication of chemically combined water. This is based upon the assumption that water undergoes no significant change in volume during absorption but that there is a change in volume during a chemical reaction. The two methods of calculating the absorption of water are shown by the equations: