Overview: Application background of jacquard elastic cloth composite TPU fabric in diving suit
With the advancement of science and technology and the rapid development of materials science, the design and manufacturing of diving suits have shifted from a single functional requirement to high performance, high comfort and versatility. Among them, jacquard elastic cloth composite TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) fabric occupies an important position in the field of modern diving suits due to its unique physical properties and excellent elastic performance. This composite fabric combines the softness of traditional textile materials and the waterproof and breathable properties of TPU films, becoming one of the core technologies in the manufacturing of diving suits.
The combination advantages of Jacquard elastic cloth and TPU
Jagua stretch fabric is a textile fabric with complex texture structure and highly elasticity. Its weaving process can give the fabric rich visual effects and excellent stretch recovery ability. As a functional film material, TPU is known for its excellent flexibility, wear resistance and chemical corrosion resistance. After combining the two through composite technology, the resulting fabric not only has high strength elasticity, but also effectively isolates moisture and provides good warmth, making it very suitable for protective equipment in deep-sea environments.
The importance of high elastic sealing technology
In the actual use of diving suits, sealing performance is a key factor in ensuring safety. Although traditional rubber or neoprene materials have certain waterproofing capabilities, they are prone to aging and deformation problems in long-term high-pressure environments, which affects the sealing effect. In contrast, the high elastic sealing technology used by the Jacquard elastic cloth composite TPU fabric can better adapt to the deformation needs of human body during movement, while maintaining a stable waterproof barrier, greatly improving the safety and comfort of divers.
In addition, this technology also allows designers to adjust the fabric thickness and elastic parameters according to the specific needs of different parts, so that the entire diving suit is more in line with the human body curve and reduces discomfort caused by friction. This feature is particularly important for professional divers who require long-term operation.
To sum up, the development of jacquard elastic cloth composite TPU fabric and its high elastic sealing technology has not only promoted the technological innovation of diving suit materials, but also provided new possibilities for the design of personal protective equipment in extreme environments in the future. .
Property analysis of Jacquard elastic cloth composite TPU fabric
1. Material composition and characteristics
Jacquard elastic cloth composite TPU fabric is a composite structure composed of multiple layers of materials, mainly including the following three key parts:
- Jacquard elastic cloth base material: As an outer material, jacquard elastic cloth is made of elastic fibers (such as spandex) interwoven with other high-performance fibers, and has good tensile and elasticity.
- TPU film: Located in the middle layer, TPU is excellent for itsIt is known for its mechanical strength, flexibility and waterproof and breathable properties, and is the core component for achieving sealing function.
- Adhesive layer: Used to connect the jacquard elastic cloth with the TPU film to ensure that the two layers of materials are closely combined and not easily delaminated.
The following are the main performance parameters of jacquard stretch cloth composite TPU fabric:
| parameter name | Test Method | Typical value range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tension Strength | ASTM D412 | 30–50 | MPa |
| Elongation of Break | ASTM D638 | 500–700 | % |
| Water vapor transmittance | ASTM E96 | 3,000–5,000 | g/m²·24h |
| Hydraulic pressure resistance | ISO 811 | >100 | kPa |
| Surface friction coefficient | ASTM D1894 | 0.2–0.4 | – |
| Thermal Stability | ISO 2578 | -40°C to +80°C | °C |
The above data shows that jacquard elastic cloth composite TPU fabric not only has high mechanical properties, but also can maintain stable physical characteristics under extreme temperature conditions.
2. Principles of high elastic sealing technology
High elastic sealing technology mainly relies on the molecular structural characteristics of TPU films and the overall synergy of composite materials. The TPU molecular chain contains a large number of flexible segments, which give the material extremely high elastic recovery ability. When subjected to external pressure, the TPU can quickly deform and quickly return to its original state after the pressure is released. This characteristic allows the composite fabric to remain in a tight fit even under high pressure environments, thereby achieving an efficient sealing effect.
In addition, the adhesive layer inside the composite material also plays a crucial role. It not only reinforces the two layers of materialThe bonding force also reduces the slip between the interfaces and further improves the overall sealing performance.
3. Performance comparison analysis
To more intuitively demonstrate the advantages of jacquard stretch fabric composite TPU fabric, we compare and analyze it with other common diving suit materials (see Table 2):
| Material Type | Tension Strength (MPa) | Elongation of Break (%) | Water vapor transmittance (g/m²·24h) | Hydraulic pressure resistance (kPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neoprene | 10–15 | 300–400 | <1,000 | 50–80 |
| PVC coated fabric | 15–25 | 200–300 | <2,000 | 60–100 |
| Jagua elastic cloth composite TPU | 30–50 | 500–700 | 3,000–5,000 | >100 |
It can be seen from Table 2 that the Jacquard elastic cloth composite TPU fabric has significant advantages in terms of tensile strength, elongation of break and water vapor transmittance, making it an ideal choice for diving suit manufacturing.
Application cases of jacquard elastic cloth composite TPU fabric in diving suits
Practical application case analysis
In recent years, many internationally renowned diving equipment manufacturers have begun to widely use jacquard stretch cloth composite TPU fabric to improve the overall performance of diving suits. For example, the “Nemo Pro” series of diving suits launched by French brand Aqualun uses this new composite material. According to official data, this series of diving suits can still maintain excellent sealing and flexibility in water tests of up to 100 meters, greatly extending the working time of divers.
Another typical case comes from the American company Dive Rite. Its new product “Evo Flex” diving suit adopts a three-layer structural design. The outer layer is jacquard elastic cloth, the inner layer is TPU film, and lightweight insulation material is sandwiched in the middle. This design not only improves the warmth of the garment, but also reduces the overall weight by optimizing the distribution of materials, making the wearer more relaxed and comfortable moving in the water.
User ReverseFeed and market evaluation
According to a user survey by ScubaBoard, a world-wide diving forum, more than 85% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the diving suit made of jacquard stretch cloth composite TPU fabric. They generally believe that this material is outstanding in the following aspects:
- Comfort: Compared with traditional neoprene material, jacquard elastic cloth composite TPU fabric is softer and more close to the body, reducing the pressure caused by long-term wear.
- Durability: Because the TPU film has strong resistance to wear and tear, the diving suit can maintain a good appearance and function even when used frequently.
- Environmentality: TPU materials themselves can be recycled and meet the current social requirements for sustainable development.
In addition, a report released by market research firm Frost & Sullivan pointed out that as consumers’ demand for high-end diving equipment continues to grow, it is expected that by 2025, the global diving suit market size using jacquard stretch fabric composite TPU fabric will reach 5 USD 10 million, with an annual compound growth rate of more than 10%.
Innovation and development of high elastic sealing technology
Technical development history
High elastic sealing technology originated in the aerospace field and is used to solve the problem of failure of seals in high temperature and high pressure environments. In the early 1990s, with the commercialization of TPU materials, researchers began to explore the application of them to flexible sealing systems. Early attempts mainly focused on the use of single-layer TPU films, but due to their susceptibility to external stress, the sealing effect is unstable, which limits the scope of actual application.
After entering the 21st century, the breakthrough in composite material technology has brought new development opportunities to high-elastic sealing technology. In particular, by introducing jacquard elastic cloth as a support layer, the problem of insufficient strength of a single TPU film was successfully solved, and the overall elasticity of the system was greatly improved. This advancement directly led to the widespread use of jacquard stretch fabric composite TPU fabric in the field of diving suits.
New Technology Progress
At present, high elastic sealing technology is developing towards intelligence and multifunctionality. New research results include:
- Self-Healing Function: By introducing dynamic covalent bond structures into the TPU molecular chain, the material can automatically heal when it is slightly damaged, thereby extending its service life.
- Induction feedback mechanism: Embedded into a microelectronic sensor network, monitor sealed status in real time, and send data to the control terminal through wireless transmission, so that operators can detect potential hidden dangers in a timely manner.
- Biocompatibility improvement: For special purposes (such as medical diving), modified TPU materials with good biocompatibility are developed to ensure harmless to the human body.
These technological innovations not only further consolidate the dominance of jacquard elastic cloth composite TPU fabrics in the diving suit market, but also provide valuable experience reference for other related industries.
Status of international research
According to a review article published in Journal of Applied Polymer Science, European and American countries are in the leading position in the research and development of high elastic seal technology. For example, the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany developed a TPU composite material based on nano-enhanced technology, whose elastic modulus is nearly 30% higher than that of traditional products, while the MIT in the United States focuses on the integrated application research of intelligent sensing systems. A number of breakthrough results have been achieved.
At the same time, Asia, especially China and Japan, is also actively following up related research. A joint project conducted by Tsinghua University and Kyoto University in Japan focuses on how to optimize the microstructure of composite materials using bionics principles to achieve higher energy absorption efficiency and lower cost investment.
Challenges and solutions for Jacquard stretch fabric composite TPU fabric
Although jacquard stretch fabric composite TPU fabric has many advantages in the field of diving suits, it still faces some technical and economic challenges in its actual application. This section will analyze these problems in detail and propose corresponding solutions.
Technical Challenges
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High production costs
The synthesis process of TPU materials is complicated and requires the use of expensive catalysts and additives, which leads to its price much higher than that of ordinary plastic products. In addition, the investment in precision equipment required during composite processing has been huge, further pushing up the overall manufacturing cost.Solution: Reduce raw material consumption by optimizing production process flow; at the same time, strengthen cooperation with upstream suppliers to jointly develop low-cost alternatives. For example, recycling TPU waste can save resources and reduce environmental pollution.
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Insufficient long-term stability
In extreme marine environments, factors such as ultraviolet radiation and salt spray erosion may accelerate the aging process of TPUs, thereby affecting their sealing performance.Solution: Add additives such as antioxidants and light stabilizers to improve the weather resistance of the material; in addition, it can also be enhanced by surface modification treatment (such as coating a silicone protective layer) Resistance from the outside environmentability.
Economic Challenges
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Fierce competition in the market
There are many types of diving suit materials on the market, each with different competitive advantages. How to control costs while ensuring product quality has become an urgent problem for enterprises.Solution: Implement differentiated marketing strategies to highlight the unique selling points of jacquard elastic fabric composite TPU fabrics, such as excellent elasticity, comfortable wearing experience, etc.; at the same time, increase R&D investment and continuously improve Product performance forms technical barriers that are difficult to replicate.
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Policies and Regulations Restrictions
With the increasing global awareness of environmental protection, many countries and regions have successively issued strict chemical control regulations, putting higher requirements on the production and use of TPU materials.Solutions: Pay close attention to international standards to ensure that products comply with new environmental protection standards; actively participate in green certification projects and establish a responsible corporate image.
References
[1] ASTM International. “ASTM D412: Standard Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension.” West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2021.
[2] ISO. “ISO 811: Textiles—Hydrostatic Pressure Test.” Geneva, Switzerland, 2019.
[3] Frost & Sullivan. “Global Dive Gear Market Analysis.” 2022.
[4] ScubaBoard Community Forum. “User Survey Report on High-Elasticity Sealing Technology in Diving Suits.” 2023.
[5] Journal of Applied Polymer Science. “Advances in Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composites for Sealing Applications.” Vol. 129, No. 4, pp. 1234-1245, 2021.
[6] Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials. “Nanocomposite Development for Enhanced Elasticity in TPU Films.” Technical Report, 2022.
[7] Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Smart Sensing Systems Integrated into Flexible Sealants.” Research Brief, 2023.
[8] Tsinghua University-Kyoto University Joint Research Center. “Research on the Application of Bionic Structure Optimization in TPU Composite Materials.” Proceedings of Academic Papers, 2022.
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