Latex Seal Durability
- Thread starter scubagrant
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Interesting, thanks for that. Although overall chemical resistance of Silicon is a very desirable property, comfort and field replaceability are the biggest justifications for me. Silicon has more stretch so cutting the fit is less critical and exerts less compression on body parts to seal reliably. Any type of seal can fail, and usually at the worst possible time.
You cant glue Silicon seals to a suit so semi-rigid plastic rings that can be glued are required. Although bulkier, these rings allow changing seals in minutes, even on a rocking boat.
Ozone is just one chemical factor. Hydrocarbons are just as bad. Although vastly improved, you can still go around any harbor and see a sheen caused floating gasoline, diesel oil, and lubricants. The same is seen near most outboards that have been running recently. That is enough to degrade Latex.
Yes, I believe very much that ozone has a whole lot to do with the OP's problem. It creates that sort of rot that was described.
Amen, It is an easy and relatively quick process to change your own seals. I like the field changeability and that you can use any brand seal with the SiTech system.
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