For over 50 years we have worked on quantifying the level of comfort associated with our foams in all the sectors in which we operate, converting conceptual data into facts. Our R&D department assesses and measures thermal comfort in order to be able to express it in numbers, not just words. We work at Zahonero as comfort engineers.
GLOBALTHINKING
The great experience providing tailored solutions around the globe has granted us with the knowledge
to understand the different needs in various geographic markets.
How thermal comfort is measured:
According to the SATRA STM 511 standard (equivalent to ASTM F1868-02; and ISO 11092: 1993)
Breathaprene vs non breathable polychloroprene
Thermal comfort (or the water vapor permeability index) is the result of the ratio between thermal resistance Rct (m2K / W) and water vapor resistance Ret (m Pa / W).
Our Breathaprene foams guarantee an extraordinary degree of water vapor breathability and very high thermal resistance values, the result of which is an appreciable increase in thermal comfort.
Thermal comfort
(water vapor
permeability index)
=
Thermal resistance
Water vapor resistance
Ret<6m2Pa / W
Very breathable
Ret<12m2Pa / W
Good breathability
Ret<20m2Pa / W
Breathable
Ret=20m2Pa / W
Breathability limit
What is termal comfort
Non breathable polychloroprene and polyolefin foams are extremely versatile materials with inherent thermal properties and the ability to contour to the body, providing compressive support. However, they are closed cell materials, which results in limited use due to the rapid accumulation of heat and sweat, with consequent discomfort for the user.
Attempts to improve the breathability of these closed- cell materials through micro-perforations have not
yielded significant results, and the size and formation of the holes significantly reduce the value of the insulation, causing changes in the compressive and elastic qualities of the material.
The following table shows the results of a water vapor resistance test carried out with three samples of the same thickness (Breathaprene Natur, Non breathable polychloroprene and Polyolefin Foam), according to SATRA regulations.
THERMAL COMFORT EVALUATION
SATRA STM 511 (equivalent to EN 31092: 1993 and ISO 11092: 1993)
Reference
Water vapor resistance (m² Pa/W)
Thermal resistance (m² K/W)
Index
Breathaprene Natur
19.52
0.0674
0.24
Non breathable polychloroprene
385.23
0.0720
0.01
Polyolefin foams
392.44
0.0787
0.01
Study performed by Aitex
Study performed by Aitex
Breathaprene allows higher levels of water vapor permeability with the same thermal resistance capacity, resulting in superior thermal comfort.
Reference
Water vapor resistance
(m² Pa/W)
Elongation
(%)
Tensile Strength
(kPa)
Dimensional Stability
(△%)
Compression-set
(50%; 70ºC; 22h)
Breathaprene Natur
19.52
257
7000
0.1
1.5
Breathaprene Free
19.87
165
6500
0.5
3.0
Breathaprene Free Recycled
23.32
160
6500
0.5
5.0
Non breathable polychloroprene
385.23
250
10000
1.0
30.0
Polyolefin foams
392.44
80
4000
5.0
35.0
| COMPARATIVE CHART | ||||||
| Polymer | Breathable | Protein Free (Not Allergies) |
Recycling | Come from Oil |
Carbon Foot Print |
Average price per Kg Dry ($) |
| Breathaprene Natur |  |
 |
|
BIO | LOW | $ |
| B. Free | |
|
|
OIL | HIGH | $ |
| B. Free Recycled | |
|
|
OIL | HIGH | $ |
| Neoprene | |
|
|
Mineral/Oil | HIGH | $$$ |
| Natural Latex (Desprotein) | |
|
|
BIO | LOW | $$ |
| Yulex | |
|
|
BIO | HIGH | $$$ |
| Polyisoprene | |
|
|
OIL | HIGH | $$$ |
| Polyurethane | |
|
|
OIL | HIGH | $$ |
Breathaprene allows higher levels of water vapor permeability with the same thermal resistance capacity, resulting in superior thermal comfort.
