The stuff which dreamsmousepads are made of
Neoprene was invented at
DuPont chemicals' (now Dupont
Dow's) lab for the development of
artificial materials in 1931 as an oil-resistant
synthetic rubber. Its main uses are in
mouse pads and
wetsuits, but it can also be used in
boat waterproofing, as an
insulator for electrical connections, in
conveyor belts,
car belts, in
sex toys (as is immediately evident from a
Google Search for "neoprene") and as the material used in hoses at
petrol pumps (since it is the only readily available
ductile bendy material that isn't dissolved by
gasoline). Thus, you have probably come into contact with this
substance at least once in your life, and
part of your wrist is probably resting on it right now.
It is formed from the
polymerisation of
chloroprene (therefore neoprene could also be called
polychloroprene) and can be
copolymerised to form a variety of other chemicals. If so desired, you can buy it in
liquid form for pouring into
plaster moulds.
In appearance, it is black, spongy and
porous (but with very fine holes).
Properties
- Unlike natural rubber, neoprene is not flammable.
- Neoprene is not degraded by solvents, oil, petrol, grease, sunlight or ozone. This makes it ideal for petrol pumps, and other situations where you might want to pump flammable chemicals around.
- It does not change shape with temperature, enabling it to be used virtually anywhere and at virtually any temperature (within reason).
- Despite this, it is thermoplastic (can be remoulded with heat) so it can be recycled.
- It is also very resistant to twisting and flexing.
Sources: http://www.dupont-dow.com/Products/Neoprene/neoprene.asp, http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa980325.htm, http://www.schoolresult.com/chemistry/man_made_organic_materials3.htm