In the world of fashion, scuba fabric is becoming more and more popular, but not everyone knows what makes it special. This material, which is frequently connected to the wetsuits used by divers, has made an appearance in regular apparel and provides a stylish yet functional combination.
Scuba fabric gives an organized appearance and is smooth to the touch. It is renowned for its thickness and stretch. Because it’s a double-knit fabric, it feels firm and spongy, which makes it perfect for clothing that needs to maintain its shape.
Scuba diving offers more than just visual appeal; it also has useful advantages. With its longevity, wrinkle resistance, and subtle sheen, it gives any ensemble a refined look. Scuba diving could be the answer if you’re searching for a material that hugs the body and can withstand regular use.
Description | Scuba fabric is a thick, smooth material known for its stretchiness and resilience. It"s similar to neoprene but lighter and more flexible, making it comfortable to wear. |
Application | Scuba fabric is commonly used for body-hugging garments like dresses, skirts, and sportswear. It’s also popular for making stylish jackets and structured clothing. |
Types | There are various types of scuba fabric, including plain scuba, scuba crepe, and scuba suede, each offering different textures and finishes. |
Properties | Scuba fabric is durable, wrinkle-resistant, and retains its shape well. It"s also water-resistant and provides good insulation, making it versatile for different uses. |
- Description of the material
- Manufacturing process
- Characteristics
- Types
- Smooth
- Crepe scuba
- Suede on scuba
- Application
- Care instructions
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Description of the material
Scuba fabric is a thin neoprene that is less expensive than diving analogues. Knitwear in different thicknesses, frequently in multiple layers, is the material. The face fabric is glued to a layer of foam rubber, which gives the fabric its elasticity. Polyester is used to make textiles; up to 10% of some varieties also contain elastane fibers.
The material is soft to the touch, elastic, and flexible. It maintains its shape well in products, retains heat, and is wrinkle-free. The dense material is resistant to mechanical impacts and does not readily form pills.
The term "scuba" refers to the material and is an acronym for "self contained underwater breathing apparatus" in English. Translated into Russian, the phrase literally means "autonomous underwater breathing apparatus." Diving clothes was often made from scuba tank material. Subsequently, the application’s scope greatly increased.
Microperforation is the solution because certain types of material have low air conductivity. To improve airflow, holes are punched through the portion of the canvas that is not visible to the human eye.
Simple processing and cutting make working with materials possible for new tailors. Any machine can handle sewing this fabric as long as it has a stretch fiber needle installed.
Manufacturing process
The process of kneading and layer-forming artificial rubber is the technology used in textile manufacturing.
- After prolonged compression, the raw material undergoes a vulcanization stage, due to which thin layers of a given thickness are produced.
- At the next stage of processing, a durable glue is applied, on top of which a fabric of the required color and texture is laid. Scuba with Lycra additives is called neoprene crepe due to the similarity of the structure.
- The entire technological process takes place in laboratory conditions due to the fact that certain conditions are required at each stage: pressure and temperature.
The DuPont company’s developers were responsible for the first appearance of neoprene in the 1930s. The fabric was originally meant to be used for making firefighter suits.
Characteristics
The table will assist in providing answers to the following queries: what kind of fabric is scuba, and what characteristics does it display when used?
Characteristics | Indicators |
---|---|
Type of raw material | Chemical |
Fiber composition | Artificial rubber, polyester, spandex |
Method of weaving the face fabric | Mainly knitted weaving |
Fibers used in the production of the face fabric | Cotton, viscose, polyamide, polyester and microfiber (artificial suede) |
Density, g/sq. m. | 285 – 330 |
Standard width of webs, cm. | 145, 150 |
Water resistance | High |
Hygroscopicity, % | 1 – 5 |
Moisture absorption rate | Low |
Elasticity | High |
Resilience | Optimal due to the use of an elastomer (rubber base) |
Air exchange | Low |
Vapor permeability | Low, medium |
Electrification | Insignificant |
Wrinkling | Does not wrinkle |
Pilling | None |
Side | Single- and double-faced fabrics |
Dyeing methods | Plain dyed single-color and printed |
Color fastness | Resistant to UV rays |
Wear resistance | High |
Manufacturers | China, Italy |
Standardization | GOST 11209 – 2014 |
Price | Affordable: Chinese production — from 150 rubles; Italy — from 800 rubles per meter |
Scuba fabric is a contemporary, multipurpose material distinguished by its thickness, stretch, and smooth texture. Because of its capacity to maintain its shape while offering comfort and flexibility, this particular type of double-knit fabric is frequently used in fashion. For making structured clothes like dresses, skirts, and jackets, this fabric is perfect. Scuba fabric comes in different types, each with unique properties that are appropriate for different applications, and is known for its durability and ease of care.
Types
Scuba fabrics vary in terms of the front surface’s composition as well as the rubber layer’s thickness. Both single- and double-faced textiles are produced. Moreover, the structure varies according to the kind of thin neoprene.
Suede, crepe, and smooth scuba are the three primary categories of material that are in demand.
Smooth
Scuba jerseys with a smooth surface are thin, very elastic, and capable of keeping out dirt and water. The material’s characteristics are comparable to those of diving cloth. Turtlenecks, undergarments, sportswear, and home apparel are all sewn using scuba.
The manufacturing of equipment for diving and other water sports, including hunting, uses smooth double-sided scuba. The water’s ability to move is unaffected by the sliding surface.
Crepe scuba
Bi-stretch materials, such as crepe scuba jersey, can stretch in two directions and readily regain their original shape. Spandex is used in the composition to achieve elasticity.
The surface on the front is granular, which is indicative of the threads’ crepe spinning. The incorrect side has a smooth surface. The fabric’s structure allows it to drape nicely, maintain its shape, and not wrinkle.
Simple to cut and maintain material. The incisions’ edges hold together. The products do not require ironing and are well-suited for machine washing. Crepe-scuba is a material that is known for its exceptional durability.
Suede on scuba
A question that many inexperienced tailors ask themselves is: suede on scuba, what is it? A few producers refer to the substance as diving. This is one of the neoprene fabric varieties.
Suede on scuba is a two-layer material where scuba is designated as the base. The top surface is composed of polyester and microfiber fibers to resemble real suede. It exhibits a high resistance to bending and mechanical damage, including punctures, because of its capacity to stretch and hold a specific shape.
The thermal insulation of neoprene crystals, which is average steam-proceeding, raises the comfort level of products made of these materials.
Application
Scuba diving models for casual wear came into fashion relatively recently, but they quickly became well-liked. Products made of neoprene are occasionally seen on fashion magazine covers and in the collections of global brands.
The fabric has a wide range of applications. Products are made from scuba diving for a variety of uses:
- covers for devices;
- medical items (belts, bandages, corsets);
- wallets, bags;
- workwear;
- firefighter suits;
- wetsuits for diving and spearfishing;
- sportswear;
- swimsuits and swimming trunks;
- underwear;
- blouses, shirts, hoodies;
- dresses, sundresses, skirts;
- pants, shorts;
- cardigans, tunics, jackets and blazers;
- jackets, bombers, vests, raincoats.
Care instructions
Washing machines with delicate cycles and a maximum water temperature of 35 degrees can be used for items with thin fabric. Using neutral products, such as gels or liquids, is advised.
Scuba equipment is cleaned on both sides because of its two-layer construction. Dry in an analogous sense.
There is no need to iron the items. Using an iron on a soft cotton cloth as an ironing surface is acceptable. Synthetics in ironing mode (minimum sole temperature).
Scuba cloth is distinct in that it combines flexibility and structure in a way that makes it a flexible option for a range of uses. Because of its superb stretch and smooth texture, it works well for clothes that need to look stylish and be comfortable at the same time.
The fabric has gained popularity in fashion, especially for form-fitting dresses, skirts, and sportswear, because of its capacity to maintain its shape while offering a comfortable fit. Additionally, scuba fabric’s resilience to wear guarantees the long-lasting and resilient nature of items made from it.
Knowing the various scuba fabric types—from lightweight to heavyweight—allows for a variety of applications, from fitted garments to casual wear. Scuba fabric offers a contemporary, fashionable solution that satisfies the needs of comfort and style, whether it is worn for special occasions or daily wear.