Production of Neoprene

Neoprene production involves heating, pressing and cutting sheets that contain various agents to a plastic base. The oceanographer Jacques Cousteau helped develop neoprene suits that help divers stay warm in cold water by trapping air in small bubbles.

  1. Initial Mixing

    • The manufacturing process begins by making a dough of polychloroprene plastic powder and bulking, foaming, adhesive and coloring agents.

    Heating Stage

    • A heat press flattens the dough into a sheet of foam whose size varies depending on the type of neoprene and the manufacturer.

    Cutting

    • Horizontal cutting of the foam produces thinner sheets that range from 1 to 8mm thick. The sheets on the very top and bottom have nylon on one side, or N1S. N1S is stretchy, but not very durable. The body panels of wetsuits often contain N1S.

    Lamination

    • Laminating fabric like stretch nylon to the middle sheets produces N2S, or nylon on two sides. N2S is more durable, but less stretchy. Arm, knee and seat areas of wetsuits often consist of N2S.

    Additional Processes

    • Making neoprene immersion suits also requires blind stiched or flat lock seams, as well as gluing, seam welding and heat tape application.