COMPRESSED

 

DRY SUIT IN PRE-COMPRESSED NEOPRENE by Fabrizio Pirrello

Pre-compressed neoprene is obtained from a sheet of high-density neoprene that is "compressed" with a special autoclave treatment for a period of about 48 hours, using temperature and pressure as tools.
The result is a very robust material, with good thermal insulation, fairly elastic, and whose thickness does not vary depending on the depth of use. The main advantage is maintaining constant trim and thermal insulation at any depth (referring to the pressures encountered in normal diving, the variation in thickness will be almost negligible).
The downside, to achieve strength, a wetsuit of the same thickness will be heavier than a standard neoprene. That is, a wetsuit made with a thickness of 2.0 mm of pre-compressed neoprene weighs approximately as much as a 5.0 mm wetsuit in traditional neoprene, while its thermal insulation is close to that of a 3.0 mm neoprene (thermal insulation is also linked to the gas contained in the bubbles of the neoprene mix).
Pre-compressed neoprene is suitable for those who do technical diving. Deep sea diving, work diving, cave or wreck diving, i.e., in any condition where robustness is required.
The exterior of the pre-compressed neoprene is normally laminated with cut-resistant linings to resist abrasions and cuts associated with heavy use. The inner lining, on the other hand, favors smoothness to avoid creating friction with the undersuit. Further processing on the weave achieves an antibacterial effect. Parts of pre-compressed neoprene drysuits are further reinforced with applications of KEVLAR, CORDURA, or overlapping pre-compressed neoprene.
Processing pre-compressed neoprene is less simple than you might think. The component parts must always be glued together and then sewn. Sealing follows techniques similar to those used in trilaminate drysuits, and obviously a good pre-compressed neoprene drysuit will be internally taped (the precision of the taping will be a good indicator of the care taken in the construction).
Pre-compressed neoprene drysuits are normally preferred for uses where strength is essential and one is willing to sacrifice lightness and quick drying. At the same time, field repairs to pre-stressed drysuits are often very difficult to carry out.