VULCANIZED RUBBER

 

Rubberized fabric drysuits by Fabrizio Pirrello

Rubberized fabric is, as the term itself suggests, a fabric on which a layer of rubber is applied. 
The basic weave serves to give structural resistance to the rubberized fabric while the external application of the rubber makes it waterproof. The bonding process is vulcanization, which uses high temperatures (around 120°C) and high pressures (around 4 bar).

Rubberized fabrics are classified based on their weight, expressed in grams/meter². Typically, rubberized fabrics ranging from 1000 grams/meter² to 1600 grams/meter² are used in diving, depending on the final strength required for the garment.

The main feature of rubberized drysuits is their ease of decontamination, that is, the ability to be cleaned and sanitized after use in contaminated waters. The material is non-porous.

The vulcanized assembly/sealing feature makes this type of wetsuit the preferred choice for use in particularly polluted or contaminated water.

There are no chemical seals that can be attacked by solvents present in thewater.

Rubberized drysuits, however, are heavy and not particularly comfortable, and are relegated to specific areas of underwater work.

These wetsuits are easily repairable in the field and dry very quickly.


NOTE: Some manufacturers have made contamination-resistant wetsuits out of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) to take advantage of its weldability. However, the mechanical and performance characteristics of TPU are inferior to that of rubberized fabric, especially at low temperatures.