SWIMSUIT FABRIC - AQUABLADE |
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History / Background
Aquablade was the beginning of the high-tech line of suits that Speedo now offers today. It was made available prior to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. The suits are made of a very chlorine resistant blend of 80% Polyester and 20% Lycra/Spandex. Over the entire surface of the suit channels have been pressed into the suit resulting in a series of raised portions and depressed sections. These channels, that run continuously down the entire length of the suit, are claimed to aid in controlling the flow of water over the wearers body, resulting in less drag.
The material was hailed by Speedo as "slicker than skin" and "as the most technically advanced suit of its time". It was also asserted that it reduced surface resistance up to 23% when compared to conventional competition swimwear. It was created with comfort and speed in mind. The legs are longer and tighter to allow for more coverage and better muscle compression control.
At the 1996 Olympics 77% of medal winners wore the Speedo Aquablade. The benefit of the Aquablade and other such suits have been widely debated, especially in the context of swimwear v. swimmer. The Aquablade was succeeded by Speedo Fastskin. |
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SWIMSUIT FABRIC - COTTON |
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History / Background
TBA |
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SWIMSUIT FABRIC - FASTSKIN |
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History / Background
TBA |
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| SWIMSUIT FABRIC - LYCRA / SPANDEX / ELASTANE |
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History / Background
Lycra, Spandex or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity (stretchability). It is stronger and more durable than rubber, its major non-synthetic competitor. It was invented in 1959 by DuPont chemist Joseph Shivers. When first introduced it revolutionized many areas of the clothing industry.
Spandex is the preferred name in North America and Australia, while elastane is most often used elsewhere, such as in Europe. "spandex" was coined from an anagram of "expands". A well-known trademark for spandex or elastane is INVISTA's brand name Lycra®. Other trademarks include Elaspan (also INVISTA's), Dorlastan (Bayer) and Linel (Fillattice).
Spandex fiber characteristics
Spun from a block copolymer, these fibers exploit the high crystallinity and hardness of polyurethane segments, yet remain "rubbery" due to alternating segments of polyethylene glycol [1]. This yields the following combination of materials properties:
1. can be streched over 600% without breaking
2. able to be stretched repetitively and still recover original length
3. lightweight
4. abrasion resistant
5. poor strength, but stronger and mre durable than rubber
6. soft, smooth and supple
7. resistant to body oils, perspiration, lotions and detergents
8. no static or pilling problem.
Production
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission definition for spandex fibre is "A manufactured fibre in which the fibre-forming substance is a long chain synthetic polymer comprised of at least 85 percent of a segmented polyurethane". First U.S. commercial spandex fibre production: 1959, DuPont Company. Current U.S. spandex fibre producers: INVISTA; Bayer Corporation; RadiciSpandex Corporation |
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| SWIMSUIT FABRIC - NEOPRENE |
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History / Background
Neoprene (originally called duprene) was the first mass-produced synthetic rubber compound. Neoprene polychloroprene is an extremely versatile synthetic rubber with 70 years of proven performance in a broad industry spectrum. It was originally developed as an oil-resistant substitute for natural rubber.
Neoprene is the DuPont Performance Elastomers trade name for a family of synthetic rubbers based on polychloroprene (polymer form of Chloroprene). Neoprene was invented by DuPont scientists after Dr. Elmer K. Bolton of DuPont laboratories attended a lecture by Fr. Julius Arthur Nieuwland, a professor of chemistry at the University of Notre Dame. Fr. Nieuwland's research was focused on acetylene chemistry and during the course of his work he produced divinyl acetylene, a jelly which firms into an elastic compound similar to rubber when passed over sulfur dichloride. After DuPont purchased the patent rights from the university, Wallace Carothers of DuPont took over commercial development of Nieuwland's discovery in collaboration with Nieuwland himself. DuPont focused on monovinyl acetylene and reacted the substance with hydrogen chloride gas, manufacturing chloroprene.
Neoprene has a balanced Combination of Properties:
1. Resists degradation from sun, ozone and weather
2. Performs well in contact with oils and many chemicals
3. Remains useful over a wide temperature range
4. Displays outstanding physical toughness
5. Resists burning inherently better than exclsuvely hydrocarbon rubbers
6. Outstanding resistance to damage caused by flexing and twisting |
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