Insulative Properties of Two Thermo-Metal Neoprenes

• Main Authors: Ducharme, Michael B., Frim, John
• Other Authors: DEFENCE AND CIVIL INST OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE DOWNSVIEW (ONTARIO)
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1993
• Subjects: Elastomers and Rubber; Thermodynamics; Life Support Systems; *METALS; *INSULATION; *THERMAL INSULATION; *NEOPRENE; TEST AND EVALUATION; ENVIRONMENTS; CONDUCTIVITY; STAINLESS STEEL; DEPTH; COATINGS; TITANIUM; WET SUITS; RADIANT HEATING; HYPERBARIC CHAMBERS; DIVING SUITS; THERMAL RESISTANCE; ATMOSPHERES; CHAMBERS; HEAT; THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY; REDUCTION; REFLECTION; CANADA; WATER; MATERIALS; COMPOSITE MATERIALS; Arctic; Canada
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA275209; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA275209

The objective of the present study was to compare the thermal resistance of two thermo-metal neoprenes (titanium and stainless steel coated) to the current Canadian Forces Arctic diving suit neoprene (CF-N) in dry and wet environment. The test in the dry environment were conducted using a Rapid-k thermal conductivity instrument, and in the wet environment using a custom-made apparatus. The dry tests were conducted at 1 atmosphere in the laboratory, and the wet tests were done in a hyperbaric water chamber maintained at 5 deg C and at depths of 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 m. Pre and post-dive tests were performed on the same samples to investigate the effects of two dives on the thermal resistance of the neoprenes. It was found that the thermal insulation of the two thermo-metal neoprenes tested was significantly higher than that of the CF-N in both the dry and the wet environments. The best thermo-metal neoprene, the stainless steel coated neoprene, averaged an improvement of 53% in the dry and 60% in the wet environment (ranging from 70% at 0 m to 34% at 100 m). The insulative properties of the thermo-metal neoprenes were affected, however, by the dives, decreasing by about 12% after two dives. It was concluded that the stainless steel thermo-metal neoprene could be a potential alternative to the current CF Arctic diving suit neoprene but further testing is needed on the long term effects of dives and aging on the insulative properties of the material. Thermal resistance, Diving suit, Wet suit, Reflective material, Radiant heat.