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( Neoprene)
Neoprene or polychloroprene is a family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polymerization of chloroprene.[1] It is used in a wide variety of environments, such as in wetsuits, laptop sleeves, electrical insulation, and car fan belts. Neoprene is the DuPont Performance Elastomers trade name. Neoprene was invented by DuPont scientists after Dr. Elmer K. Bolton of DuPont laboratories attended a lecture by Fr. Julius Arthur Nieuwland, a professor of chemistry at the University of Notre Dame. Fr. Nieuwland's research was focused on acetylene chemistry and during the course of his work he produced divinyl acetylene, a jelly which 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. DuPont focused on monovinyl acetylene and reacted the substance with hydrogen chloride gas, manufacturing chloroprene. Neoprene (originally called duprene) was the first mass-produced synthetic rubber compound. Its chemical inertness makes it well suited for industrial applications such as gaskets, hoses, and corrosion-resistant coatings. It can be used as a base for adhesives, noise isolation in white power transformer installations, and as padding in external metal cases to protect the contents while allowing a snug fit. Neoprene weather stripping is commonly used in fire doors as its fire resistance is higher than exclusively hydrocarbon based rubbers,[2] also owing to its appearance in combat related attire such as gloves and face masks. Neoprene is also used as a contrast in some jewelry designs. Its springy consistency makes it notoriously difficult to fold when in sheet form.
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