Dave Wellings Guide to Closed Cell Neoprene

Dave Wellings Guide to Closed Cell Neoprene

I've been a user for a very long time without realising the true potential. I've picked up the odd fix here & there, sometimes in strange places - without understanding the true nature of the product.

It all started in a beach shop on Torbay Road in Paignton, where rolls of what I discovered to be neoprene, were available to use as beach mats. Various colours were available, but I always bought a black roll when there was one to be had.

For many years I've used closed cell neoprene as a (car) boot liner, as a (foot) shoe liner, and as a door protector in the garage. Closed cell means that it doesn't absorb water like a sponge, so is a barrier to water.

The Morgan has presented a whole new world of uses, and I rapidly ran out of stock. This lead me to research where to buy replacements on-line, and to explore the specifications, and therefore potential uses.

It's taken me a year to get this far, so here goes:

First comes standard density neoprene. It is available in various thicknesses, in 1mm increments. Standard spec is black but certain other colours may sometimes be available.

This SD neoprene is soft and compressible, but tears easily.

Its therefore suitable for gaskets, seals, and places where there is no chance of Scuffing, Pulling or Stretching.

My preferred thickness is 3mm, and 4mm.

Next is firm grade (FG) Neoprene. This is slightly denser and with greater tear resistance. It's therefore more suitable for harder wearing applications like car boot liners and door protector in the garage.

It would not be suitable for dogs paws though, as it would damage too easily. This can be used for wing protectors but must be glued to a backing former such as fibreglass. My preferred thickness is 4mm.

Firm Grade Neoprene, a synthetic rubber which is utilised in areas where there is a requirement for oil resistance.

Temperature Range of -40 degree C to +80 degree C constant, and 100 degree C Intermittent.

An Ideal Sealing and Gasketing Material in areas where oils and petroleum....

Next comes high density polyethylene foam (HDPF). This has a slight greyness, and has no visible aeration, unlike the previous specs which are visibly aerated. HDPF has high tear resistance, and will do most jobs well.

The most practical and versatile grades are Firm Grade and HDFP.

Beyond this is rubber which comes in various 'shore harnesses.

Generally this falls between 40 ( soft & elastic ) and 80 ( dead & hard ).

Note that rubber sheet is heavy, and not really suitable for Morgans.

All the other specs are very light and are therefore ideal.

Now a few pictures:

This is 4mm HDPF which has been on my garage wall since the early 90's.

Now I know what it is!!!!

This shows, two sheets of each, bottom up, 3mm and 4mm standard density neoprene and HDPF  

As you know, I've used this stuff all over the Mog:

Under the front wing I used 4mm standard density as a grommet round the steering column.

Was there a certain type of glue used with neoprene?

For the wing protectors I used heavy duty spray adhesive which I recall came from Agriemach (the insulation specialists).

For smaller jobs I used heavy duty Bostick. It's worth applying a 'primer/sealer' first coat of glue & let it go off, because the neoprene can be waxy.

Double sided tape doesn't work.

The cable tidy under the bonnet was 3mm standard density......

The wing protectors were Firm Grade neoprene, as were the small protectors......

Under the spare wheel was Firm Grade, and to line my spare wheel security device and tool tray I used 3mm standard density.

This is my chosen supplier:

And my offcuts box:

Neoprene Sponge Sheet

RH Nuttall Limited supply and manufacturer a wide range of parts in expanded closed cell Neoprene sponge sheet which can be sold by the coil, roll or sheet. Furthermore, we have an in house facility to manufacture all slit and stamped parts including Neoprene Strip, Neoprene strips and Neoprene Gaskets. Furthermore, a self adhesive backing can be applied to one or both faces to aid in the application process. Neoprene sponge sheet is available to buy by the metre from 1.5mm thickness right up to 40mm in thickness. Neoprene sponge pads can be converted from any neoprene sheet to any given size. A leading supplier of neoprene pads.

We are more than confident that we are one of the cheapest suppliers online for all neoprene sponge rolls and sheets

Neoprene sponge sheet has superb air tight and water tight properties. Our neoprene foam sheeting is generally used within the automotive, electronic and construction trades. It is also a very good material for jointing expansion, weather strips, glazing seals and closure seals as well as being ussed for shock and noise absorbers and deadening. Its properties also make it suitable for requirements including thermal insulation on items such as garage door seals.

RH Nuttall Limited provide our Neoprene sponge in strip format too to many organisations as well as private individuals. Self adhesive backing can be added to any neoprene foam strip products to aid in fixing. Neoprene sponge sheets provide excellent seals in a whole host of applications. RH Nuttall Limited frequently supply a range of plain or self adhesive backed expanded Neoprene foam sheet to solve issues such as air flow control, cushioning, water leakage and anti vibration problems. Furthermore, due to the fantastic aging properties of closed cell Neoprene sponge it means that the sealing functions will not fail over prolonged exposure on a specific application.

Our neoprene sponge sheet products are available in thicknesses ranging from 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm right up to 40mm in thickness.

General Characteristics of Neoprene Sponge Sheet

• Closed cell structure making it impermeable to air and water and therefore an ideal material for sealing against air and/or water.
• Outstanding aging properties and will not go brittle over time.
• Very durable and relatively cheap.
• Flexible material.
• Good UV, ozone, sunlight and oxidation resilience.
• Flame retardant.
• Good resistance to oil and many petroleum derivatives and chemicals.

Neoprene sponge sheet is available to by from RH Nuttall Limited in any size sheet or strip required. Master rolls of neoprene sponge come in 10 metre long lengths by one metre wide up to 25mm thickness. Above this thicknes neoprene sponge sheet can be offered in sheets that are 2000mm x 1000mm in size. We are more than happy to sell our neoprene sponge sheet by the metre or whatever size a customer requires. Custom made neoprene sponge pads can be made to your requirements with immediate delivery. Please ask a member of our sales team for a price on your neoprene sponge sheet requirements.