TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY
(Because any knowledge is good knowledge)

MATUSE GEOPRENE (& the 411 on Yamamoto)

Standard "Old Fashioned" Neoprene (i.e. the basics): Synthetic rubber introduced back in the day by DuPont (1931 to be exact). It was first developed via the collaboration of Dr. Elmer K. Bolton and Wallace Carothers. Neoprene involves monovinyl acetylene that’s reacted with hydrogen chloride gas—the result is chloroprene. Polychloroprene is the polymer of chloroprene, the stuff known as Neoprene today. Well, nothing against Carothers and Bolton, but technology has thankfully come a long way. In this regard, Matuse uses Yamamoto’s state-of-the-art limestone-based Geoprene: Lighter and warmer (Geoprene is 93-98% water impermeable compared to the standard 69%). Conversely, other wetsuit brands still use old fashioned neoprene that’s derived from petroleum (i.e. stuff that’s messy, hazardous—and goops up sea otters).

What Petroleum-based Neoprene REALLY is (i.e. The chemical blends that Mother Nature doesn’t dig): Neoprene blends are approximately 30% to 70% neoprene—and 70% to 30% materials such as "SBR" (Styrene-Butadiene-Rubber), or "EPDM" (Ethylene-Propylenediene-Monomer). "SBR" and "EPDM" are actually polymers more familiar to shoe soles, gaskets and roofing materials. The chemical blending process of these chemicals creates a soft, sponge-like material. This being said, SBR’s and EPDM’s nitrogen cell wall is significantly thinner than that of limestone-based Geoprene. The thicker the cell wall the more pressure the cell can withstand without losing nitrogen gas because the cell walls of neoprene blends are very thin, they compress more rapidly—reducing thermal insulation. Bottom line: oil based neoprene is behind the times: It’s not as warm, not as flexible and not as light. Additionaly, oil-based neoprene is made from chemicals you wouldn’t store under your kitchen sink let alone wear everyday on your skin. So, be kind to your skin as well as Mother Nature. Wear Matuse Geoprene--Mother Nature will be so proud.

Calcium Carbonate (i.e. Yamamoto’s limestone rock that makes rubber): This sedimentary rock’s composed of mineral calcite (i.e. Calcium carbonate or limestone). It’s usually derived from shell secretions of marine organisms that fall from the water column and are deposited as pelagic ooze on the ocean floor. Many, many, many years later, this ooze becomes your premium (the ichiban) Geoprene-built Matuse suit. Pardon the pun but Matuse’s Geoprene rocks, big time.

Matuse’s Yamamoto Geoprene (i.e. the ichiban rubber): Geoprene is derived from 99.7% pure limestone. Its closed cell content is 23% higher than petroleum based competitors and its high performance cell structure allows for elasticity better than human skin: Its maximum elongation is 480-530% (human skin is only 60-70%). The ichiban quality of Geoprene limestone rubber is not only determined by the purity of its raw materials but also by the independent closed microcell structure. Moreover, this structure ensures that if any part of the Geoprene surface is defaced or scarred, new independent concave microcells are exposed to ensure continued functionality. The microcells on Matuse’s wetsuits are like endless rows of sharks’ teeth only a lot softer—and full of Nitrogen gas.

• 3-DIS Technology (i.e. a 3-Dimensional Intelligent Skin) : This state-of-the-art technology is applied to your ichiban Geoprene. It consists of "Regular Carbon Black” and "Spherical Carbon Black" that disperses all force loads: stretch, elongation, pressure and compression. 3-DIS also means an extra "FE Polymer" that prevents self-curing and reduces aging (i.e. hardening). Basically, your suit’s gonna be down with the stretchy-thing for long time.
• SCS Technology (“Super Composite Skin” on the outside of your suit): Another wetsuit innovation pioneered by Yamamoto in the early 90’s. SCS is a “Low Surface Friction” coating (see coefficient of dynamic friction). This technology allows for optimal thermal insulation and a maxed-out comfy factor. With Hydrophobic properties that cut through water with ZERO DRAG, SCS coating improves Geoprene’s surface abrasion resistance and strength—making it ideal for neck and wrist water-stop dry seals. It’s so slick that it might make you smooth in all facets of life.
• Titanium Alpha Technology (a.k.a. the alloy coating on your suit’s rubber): A metallic alloy barrier on your suit’s surface that dramatically reduces body heat loss. It was pioneered by Yamamoto Corporation back in the 80’s; and is still the most efficient insulating surface coating on the planet today.
• Titanium Alloy Processing (i.e. how’s your 747 doing?): A low density and corrosion resistant white metallic element that occurs widely in igneous rocks. It’s used to enhance aircraft metals by decreasing weight and increasing strength and temperature stability. Alloy processing is also one step in coating the surface of your ichiban Geoprene Matuse suit.
• Nitrogen Gas (Nano-sized inside your suit’s rubber): Matuse’s Yamamoto Geoprene consists of unique individual closed cells that possess evenly distributed nitrogen gas. The result is exceptional heat retention and flexibility. Moreover, because the cells do not absorb water, Geoprene weighs the same in wet or dry conditions. So go ahead, tell your friends you got gas. Be proud of it!

Modulus(i.e. the mind-blowing elasticity of your Matuse suit): Getting’ all scientific on you…A high modulus equals stiff material and lots of moisture absorption. Conversely, a low modulus means elasticity and closed cell composition—just like Matuse’s Geoprene.

Coefficient of Dynamic Friction (i.e. something that makes you go fast): The ratio of the force maintaining contact with an object and a surface and the frictional force that resists the motion of the object. Huh? It basically means that Matuse’s Yamamoto Geoprene has an out of this galaxy low surface friction coefficient of 0.032. Metaphorically speaking, this translates to you being the hot knife and water being the butter. Conversely, standard/old-world neoprene’s drag coefficient is 4.0. As we all know, numbers don’t lie—Matuse’s Geoprene is better when it comes to speed, flexibility, warmth, comfort, durability, sex appeal, etc, etc.

Specific Gravity (i.e. science-heads love this stuff): The ratio of density of the material to the density of water. The density of water is about 1 gram per cubic centimeter (G/cc). Materials that are lighter than water (i.e. with specific gravity less than 1.0) will float. Conversely, materials with a specific gravity exceeding 1.0 will sink. Elementary, really.