Foamed neoprene versus thermoplastic elastomer as a wetsuit material: a comparison of skin temperature, biomechanical, and physiological variables

Wiles, Tyler; Simmons, Morgan; Gómez, David Casamichana; Schubert, Matthew M.; Newcomer, Sean C.; Nessler, Jeff A.

doi:10.1007/s12283-022-00370-9

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 32 publications

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“…Studies in surfing wetsuits have primarily focused on the impact of neoprene foam and its ability to insulate individuals while surfing in cold water (Wiles et al , 2022; Skillern et al , 2021). For example, the insulation provided by traditional surfing wetsuits was shown to be affected by the thickness of the neoprene foam (Naebe et al , 2013; Kellogg et al , 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Graphene-infused nylon fleece versus standard polyester fleece as a wetsuit liner: comparison of skin temperatures during a recreational surf session

Denny

Moore²,

Newcomer

et al. 2022

RJTA

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Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in skin temperature under graphene-infused fleece and traditional polyester fleece materials in the interior of a wetsuit. Design/methodology/approach A total of 48 participants surfed for a minimum of 40 min in a custom wetsuit with a torso lined with graphene-infused fleece on one half and traditional polyester fleece on the other. Eight iButton thermistors were used to record skin temperatures bilaterally at the upper back, chest, abdomen and lower back every minute for the entire surf session. After surfing, participants responded to questions associated with their perception of warmth and comfort and their knowledge of fleece materials. Findings Skin temperatures did not differ between the two types of fleece at the upper back, chest and abdomen locations. Skin temperatures in the lower back were significantly warmer under the traditional polyester fleece compared to graphene-infused fleece. Participant responses associated with warmth were consistent with skin temperature measurements. Practical implications The results of this study indicate that a graphene-infused nylon fleece interior does not clearly influence skin temperature in surfers when compared to a traditional polyester fleece interior. While skin temperatures were significantly lower under the graphene-infused nylon fleece at the low back, the other three anatomical locations did not exhibit significant differences. Originality/value Thermoregulation is an important consideration for the safety and performance of surfers in the ocean. Evidence suggests that the inner lining of a wetsuit may impact thermoregulation while surfing; however, no prior studies have compared interior materials.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Graphene-infused nylon fleece versus standard polyester fleece as a wetsuit liner: comparison of skin temperatures during a recreational surf session

Denny

Moore²,

Newcomer

et al. 2022

RJTA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Insulation and material characteristics of smoothskin neoprene vs silicone-coated neoprene in surf wetsuits

et al. 2023

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Wetsuit Thermal Resistivity Measurements

Crotti,

Cantù,

Malavasi

et al. 2024

Sensors

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In recent years, attention to the realization and characterization of wetsuits for scuba diving and other sea sports or activities has increased. The research has aimed to establish reliable and standardized measurement methods to objectively assess wetsuit quality, particularly focusing on their mechanical and thermal properties. In this work, we describe and compare two different measurement methods for the characterization of neoprene wetsuit thermal resistivity. The first method follows the existing regulations in the field, while the second one, which we are originally proposing in this paper, offers an alternative yet accurate way based on a simplified experimental set-up and easier measurements. In both cases, the wetsuit sample under testing was shaped in the form of a cylindrical sleeve of proper dimensions and wrapped around a phantom containing water at a higher temperature and surrounded by water at a lower temperature. The wetsuit’s cylindrical surface allows heat flow from the warmer water on the inside to the colder water on the outside through the wetsuit area. In the first case, a thermal steady state was achieved, with constant heat flow from the phantom to the exterior. This was obtained with a power balance between two homogenous quantities. Electrically supplied thermal heating within the phantom was used to balance the thermal energy naturally flowing through the wetsuit’s surface. In this first case, a stable and fixed temperature difference was obtained between the inner and the outer surfaces of the wetsuit sample. In the second case, a thermal transient was analyzed during the cooling process of the phantom, and the thermal time constant was measured, providing the sample thermal resistance once the phantom thermal capacity was known. In both cases and methods, the heat flow and thermal resistance of other elements than the wetsuit must be evaluated and compensated for if they are not negligible. Finally, the thermal resistivity per unit area of the wetsuit material was obtained with the product of the wetsuit sample’s thermal resistance and the wetsuit area. The measurements, conducted until now by immersing the phantom in a free surface tank, show that both methods—under stationary and under transient temperature conditions—were valid to assess the wetsuit’s thermal resistivity. The stationary method somehow provided better accuracy while involving less well-known parameters but at the expense of a more complicated experimental set-up and additional energy consumption. The transitory method, on the other hand, is quite easy to implement and, after careful characterization of the phantom’s parameters, it provided similar results to the stationary one. An uncertainty budget was evaluated for both methods, and they did provide highly compatible measurement results, with resistivity values of 0.104(9) m2·K/W (stationary method) and 0.095(9) K·m2/W (transient method) for the same wetsuit sample under testing, which is also consistent with the values in the literature. We finally propose that the novel method is a valid alternative for characterization of the thermal insulation properties of a scuba diving wetsuit.

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Foamed neoprene versus thermoplastic elastomer as a wetsuit material: a comparison of skin temperature, biomechanical, and physiological variables

Cited by 3 publications

References 32 publications

Graphene-infused nylon fleece versus standard polyester fleece as a wetsuit liner: comparison of skin temperatures during a recreational surf session

Graphene-infused nylon fleece versus standard polyester fleece as a wetsuit liner: comparison of skin temperatures during a recreational surf session

Insulation and material characteristics of smoothskin neoprene vs silicone-coated neoprene in surf wetsuits

Wetsuit Thermal Resistivity Measurements

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