Neoprene is a synthetic rubber originally developed in the 1930s, widely used in water sports gear and various everyday items due to its durability and flexibility. Scuba fabric, a fashion variant of neoprene, is made from polyester and lycra, known for its four-way stretch and suitability for form-fitting garments. While neoprene is better for active wear and water sports, scuba fabric is preferred for comfortable fashion applications, though it is generally less durable than neoprene.

1. Neoprene Fabric & Scuba
Fabric
By :
Ravikeerthi Rao
1

2. Neoprene
O If you enjoy water sports such as scuba diving,
rafting or surfing, it is more than likely that you will
have heard of neoprene.
O Neoprene is a synthetic rubber, and was originally
created by DuPont as a substitute for rubber during
the 1930s.
O Neoprene is DuPont's tradename of this substance,
which is chemically known as polychloroprene.
O Due to its ability to replace rubber in many contexts,
this substance is also known as chloroprene rubber.
2

3. Neoprene
O Neoprene is the sort of fabric that is so popular, it
goes under the radar.
O There are so many uses for Neoprene its hard to
keep the count.
3

4. Neoprene
O There is probably Neoprene somewhere near you
now in some form or another, to name a few uses :
O car seats,
O hospital braces,
O gym belts,
O mobile phone holders,
O baby bibs,
O changing mats,
O booties, toys, laptop bags, bags, shoes,
fashionwear, and of course sportswear.
4

5. Neoprene
5
O Neoprene begins as
polychloroprene which is a
powder.
O Other ingredients are added
that provide cell size, adhesion,
foaming agents, bulk, color and
other properties, mixed together
to form a dough.

6. Neoprene
6
O Put into a heat press after it
is made into a doughy
mixture, the heat and
pressure form a foam
block/sheet.
O A foam block is the final
product measuring
approximately 2 inches thick
with the top and bottom
either textured or smooth.

7. Neoprene
7
O The hardened chloroprene
rubber is then run through a
slicing machine.
O This slicing machine can slice
polychloroprene in various
thickness.
O Each of these thin sheets is
about the size of a sheet of
plywood and the thicknesses
can vary from 1mm to 25mm.Neoprene Rubber Sheets ..

8. What Is Neoprene Fabric?
O Neoprene Fabric is Neoprene sheet sandwiched
between 2 pieces of fabric (can be fleece or velvet
as well ), for comfort and warmth.
O The fabric used is typically either nylon or
polyester.
O There is often spandex or elastane mixed in - to
increase flexibility and stretch as well (usually 2
way stretch).
O If this is used as part of a wetsuit, it makes it easier
to move in, which makes it easier to swim.
8

9. What Is Neoprene Fabric?
O What's the difference between Nylon coated &
Polyester coated neoprene ?
O Nylon coated neoprene - slightly stronger than
polyester.
O Polyester coated neoprene - colours stay true for
longer in direct sunlight exposure.
O Except this, there really is very little difference
between them.
9

10. Neoprene Fabric
10
O This fabric's success in
scuba gear gradually led
to its use in wet suits for
surfers living in colder
climates.
O Today, almost all wet
suits and scuba suits are
made with Neoprene or a
similar generic fabric.
O This fabric is also
commonly used in swim
suits

11. 11
O https://www.moodfabrics.com/
blog/all-about-neoprene-
fabrics/

12. Neoprene Fabric
O Neoprene has recently been making waves in the
fashion industry.
O Designers already named neoprene as truly an
ultimate fabric for year ’round usage.
O Though typically reminiscent of material used for a
scuba suit, designers are doing so many awesome
things with the material this season.
O It’s sporty and cool, but that doesn’t mean your
look can’t be chic.
12

13. Neoprene Fabric
O When purchasing neoprene for sportswear and activewear
applications, it is important to know what thicknesses are
good for which applications.
O A thickness of 2 to 2.5mm will be best geared towards
scuba suits/wet suits, cozies, and laptop cases.
O Any neoprene that is 1.5mm in thickness will be best
suitable for fashion applications.
O Anything thinner than that (such as 1mm ) are actually
consistent of just the knit top that typically covers the rubber
backing or central glue and would be best suited for
swimwear and apparel such as form-fitting skirts and
dresses.
13

14. Neoprene Fabric
14
O Since this fabric is
form-fitting, it is
popular among
young women.

15. Neoprene Fabric
O Apparel that are made with Neoprene may be
close to the same price as polyester or nylon at the
consumer level.
O (https://www.sewingbeefabrics.co.uk/neoprene-and-scuba-fabric-guide)
15

16. Scuba fabric
O Scuba fabric is the fashion version of neoprene,
and is designed to mimic neoprene, but with a
much more basic composition.
O Scuba is a double-knit fabric, usually made of
Polyester mixed with either Lycra (Spandex),
mostly known for use with figure hugging fashion
and sporting garments.
O The fabric has four way stretch and allows the
fabric to effortlessly follow curves.
16

17. Scuba Fabric
O The structure of the fabric is created by a
construction of a very fine double knit. One layer is
knitted in one direction, one in the other.
O This simple method creates a very clever paradox
as the fabric is both stretchy, yet, structurally it
holds well.
O The stretch on the scuba is mainly along the bias
and horizontal points, with a small amount on the
vertical.
O (https://blog.fabricuk.com/super-scuba-stretch-fabric/)
17

18. Scuba fabric
O This fabric can vary in its thickness, making it suitable
for a wide variety of clothing projects.
O It also cuts easily and has a warm, sturdy form,
meaning you will not need to add a lining while
creating warmer outfits.
O Scuba fabric works ideally for both form-fitting
dresses and longer, draping gowns.
O This modern fabric holds dye very well, and so it can
be adorned with all kinds of bold, beautiful prints to fit
your unique taste!
18

19. Scuba fabric
O Scuba material has a very smooth texture, a fine
gauge thread, and a slightly springy feel to it.
O Despite its name, scuba knit is not meant for scuba
diving or swimming.
19

20. Scuba knit
20

21. Scuba fabric
O When scuba fabric first made its appearance in the
Spring of 2012 the styles were very much sports-
inspired, with a lot of stripes and bold neon colors.
O With time, however, the scuba trend has become
more sophisticated.
O Scuba dresses are very flattering no matter the figure
(they look great on plus size ladies!) because they
smooth out any perceived imperfections.
O Scuba fabric is perfect for travel because it doesn't
take up much space and doesn't wrinkle.
21

22. Scuba fabric
O Because scuba fabric comes in such a wide
variety of colors, patterns, and designs, you can
make a scuba dress that is :
O perfectly professional, from scuba dresses to scuba
skirts - for a day at the office, or
O one that is ideal for a fun, flashy night on the town
with your friends.
22

23. Scuba fabric
O They’re all just as comfortable and good looking as
each other!
23

24. Scuba fabric vs. Neoprene
O You may have heard people talk about neoprene
fabric at the same time as scuba fabric, using the
terms interchangeably.
O However, neoprene and scuba knit are two
different kinds of fabrics.
O As such, neoprene can be used for everyday
outfits as well as scuba diving gear!
O Neoprene is far more durable and flexible than
scuba fabric.
24

25. Scuba fabric vs. Neoprene
O Neoprene consists of a thick foamy layer
sandwiched between two layers of stretch
polyester knit fabric, sometimes a four way stretch,
and is very popular for water sports including
scuba diving.
O Scuba fabric doesn’t have the foam layer, though
its double knit properties has a slightly spongy feel.
25

26. Scuba fabric vs. Neoprene
O Scuba fabric can be more delicate and more easily
damaged than neoprene fabric.
O Scuba fabric also drapes differently from neoprene
fabrics, with a much more fluid appearance.
O Neoprene is generally less malleable to work with!
O Because of this, Scuba is generally more
comfortable to wear than outfits made out of
neoprene; no stiff penguin-walk can be found here!
26

27. Scuba fabric vs. Neoprene
O Neoprene is generally less comfortable to wear
than scuba fabric.
O Mostly because, Neoprene is not breathable.
O This factor makes Neoprene is only truly suited for
loose-fitting clothing or clothing that doesn't cover
a large portion of the body.
27

28. Scuba fabric vs. Neoprene
O Keep in mind that scuba fabric, though thin, is also
a warm material.
O It is much better for fall or winter outfits than it is for
making a summer dress.
O (Ref: https://sewingfromhome.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-
scuba-fabric/)
28

29. O With time, however, the scuba trend has become
more sophisticated.
O Outfits made from scuba fabric, especially scuba
dresses, are currently rocking the world of fashion,
allowing anyone to create professional, beautiful
styles that look great on any body type.
29

30. 30