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To appropriately fit an application with the ideal type of neoprene, durometer should be considered. Durometer is the measurement of a material’s hardness. The ability to manipulate synthetic compounds like neoprene sheet rubber means that different neoprene rubber sheets may have different attributes, including durometer.
How Strong Is Neoprene Rubber?
A common question—how strong is neoprene rubber? The strength of sheet neoprene depends, in large part, on its durometer. Neoprene can be made either hard or soft, as well as in different forms. With variations in durometer and density, neoprene products are versatile—different rubber neoprene items are tailored toward different needs. Some of these applications will need a rubber that is easily compressible, thus making soft neoprene the ideal solution. On the other hand, the application may require something that doesn’t compress as much, so hard neoprene rubber would be ideal for the task. While this may seem straightforward enough, general literacy in neoprene rubber’s specifications, such as neoprene durometer, will help you make the best decision possible when working with the material neoprene. Frankly, awareness of durometer—neoprene or not—will assist your decision-making when it comes to materials similar to neoprene, too, such as other synthetic rubbers.
Is Neoprene Rubber Hard or Soft?
Whether neoprene rubber is hard or soft depends on the durometer of the neoprene product in question since neoprene sheeting is made in different levels of hardness. Before diving deeper into the question “Is neoprene rubber hard or soft?” you should be aware of two forms of neoprene: solid and cellular. Solid neoprene is dense and is more difficult to compress. Cellular neoprene is the spongy form of neoprene and is easier to compress than solid neoprene rubber is. These types of neoprene differ, and each type is better suited for a specific set of applications. Measuring durometer and density are some of the best ways to determine which applications the neoprene sheet rubber is ideal for. Within each classification of neoprene, durometer is measured on a corresponding Shore scale.
Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 70A – 1/32″ x 36″
Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 70A – 1/32″ x 36″
- Industrial gasket applications
- Applications involving temperatures between -20° F and 170° F
- Applications that may involve the presence of moderate levels of oil or ozone or even chemicals
- Any task that requires a strong neoprene (durometer 65-75) that can endure the stress of heavy and repeated physical impacts
High Compressive Strength: Closed cell rubber is a bit different from its open cell counterpart in terms of compressive strength. While open cell sponge rubber can rebound back to its original shape very quickly, closed foam rubber sponge takes a bit longer to do so. This allows the closed cell EPDM sponge rubber to handle high- pressure applications at a better rate, making it more durable.
Perfect for the Outdoors: The excellent ability of this closed cell rubber to operate in the outdoors is all thanks to the compound of EPDM rubber in its structural makeup. It has an excellent level of resistant to both UV rays and ozone. Outdoor factors like UV and ozone may not damage a material immediately, but they can definitely degrade a material over time. The EPDM compound in this sponge rubber allows it to remain exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. This is the primary reason why EPDM material is a popular elastomer to use in applications such as window sealing on vehicles and homes.
All About: Durometer
Tapping Rubber Trees
Here is a simplified breakdown of the Shore scales:
• Shore A Scale: Solid neoprene is measured using the Shore A scale, the most common scale for elastomers. Other items measured on the Shore A scale include rubber bands (30 Shore A) and tire treads (60 Shore A). Since products like a solid neoprene rubber strip can be manufactured with varying durometers, the right level of neoprene durometer depends on the application. Durometer correlates with a material’s density. Neoprene with a lower durometer like soft neoprene (45 Shore A) takes less pressure to compress than a higher durometer product like hard neoprene (65-75 Shore A).
• Shore 00 Scale: The Shore 00 scale is used to measure the hardness of cellular neoprene and other soft, easily-compressible elastomers. Gummy bears (10 Shore 00) and gel shoe-insoles (30 Shore 00) are other materials on this scale alongside cell neoprene products, such as an open-cell neoprene sheet or a closed cell neoprene foam sheet. Just like its more solid counterpart, cell neoprene is available in a range of durometers. It is important to know which scale is used for each type of neoprene so that you know exactly what you’re getting into when you read a neoprene product’s specifications.
All About Neoprene
Is Neoprene Resistant to Oil
While these two types of neoprene material typically serve different functions, there are some instances in which both types generally apply. A common use for both solid and cell neoprene is as a gasket or weather stripping. As a general rule, a material with high compressibility like soft neoprene ensures a tighter seal. Yet, at the same time, a gasket should be resilient enough to withstand the physical abuse from more demanding applications. The material should not be so compressible that the two connecting parts come into contact. In this case, it is best to use a neoprene which is balanced in its qualities, but could feasibly come from either of the two scales. The type of neoprene sheet rubber that works best for these applications is case-specific, so you should diligently research the type that is ideal for your needs.
How Flexible Is Neoprene Sheet Rubber?
A final question you might have—how flexible is neoprene sheet rubber? The degree of flexibility of elastic neoprene depends on factors such as neoprene durometer and neoprene density. But, compared to other, non-rubber materials, neoprene is highly flexible, given that it’s an elastomer. Flexible neoprene is the standard for most neoprene products since, in general, people use rubber for its flexibility, among other things. But if your application demands a certain level of flexibility, look toward durometer and density for guidance. And for applications that are less demanding in terms of the specifications of neoprene, durometer and density ultimately come down to the user’s preference. For example, solid neoprene sheet rubber fabricated as a neoprene bumper protector does not need a precise durometer in order to be effective. Consider your application and try to determine how crucial it is to know both durometer and density. Neoprene, in its many forms, is beneficial for a wide array of uses. If you do the research, your decision should be made easy!
Closed Cell Rubber – Neoprene – 39″ x 78″
Closed Cell Rubber – Neoprene – 39″ x 78″
- Durometer rating of 20-25 Shore C
- Has a high level of compression strength
- Preferred for use in some automotive and industrial settings
- Neoprene foam can operate in temperatures as low as -40° F and as high as +200° F
Oil Resistance: Neoprene rubber is widely used in tasks that see a moderate presence of oils and greases. It offers a good level of resistance to those substances. Other materials can be stained or damaged by oil, but neoprene can stand up to such corrosive elements. Neoprene still demonstrates this trait even when comes in cellular rubber form. Closed cell neoprene sponge rubber can handle light to moderate contact with oils and greases without suffering from any immediate damage to its structure. As a result, a gasket made from neoprene foam rubber will last for a much longer period of time.
Weathering Resistance: In addition to oils and greases, neoprene can also operate in the outdoors. It can resist the degrading effects of UV rays, ozone, and even moisture from rainfall. It is very strong when it comes to UV rays. UV rays can cause damage such as discoloration in some materials, but will have a very hard time doing so with this foam rubber material. A big benefit of having a closed cell sponge rubber in wet and moist conditions is that the closed cell structure will not soak up any of the moisture. Water will be prevented from seeping into the material and causing any damage.
