The chemical structure of Hypalon® provides outstanding resistance to the deteriorating effects of sunlight, atmospheric pollutants, and attack by atmospheric ozone. In accelerated sunlight testing, roofing membranes based on Hypalon® showed no visible surface cracking or discoloration, and no evidence of stiffening, even after exposure to 3,000,000 Langleys (units of sunlight exposure). This is the equivalent of 17 years of Arizona sunlight, or 29 years of sun in northern New York.
In addition to sunlight and ozone resistance, membranes made of Hypalon® are also resistant to a broad range of corrosive chemicals, such as some oils and grease, aliphatic solvents, and a wide range of oxidizing agents. For example, these membranes have been reported to resist vegetable oils common to restaurant locations; petroleum oils such as those found near oil refineries; many acids and bases such as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide found near fossil fuel facilities; Freon® used in air conditioning, and glycols, which are air conditioning by-products; and jet fuel found near airports. In actual one-sided exposure tests to these fluids, Hypalon®-based membranes performed better than or equal to competitive membranes based on plasticized PVC and EPDM.
The chemical structure of Hypalon® provides outstanding resistance to the deteriorating effects of sunlight, atmospheric pollutants, and attack by atmospheric ozone. In accelerated sunlight testing, roofing membranes based on Hypalon® showed no visible surface cracking or discoloration, and no evidence of stiffening, even after exposure to 3,000,000 Langleys (units of sunlight exposure). This is the equivalent of 17 years of Arizona sunlight, or 29 years of sun in northern New York.
In addition to sunlight and ozone resistance, membranes made of Hypalon® are also resistant to a broad range of corrosive chemicals, such as some oils and grease, aliphatic solvents, and a wide range of oxidizing agents. For example, these membranes have been reported to resist vegetable oils common to restaurant locations; petroleum oils such as those found near oil refineries; many acids and bases such as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide found near fossil fuel facilities; Freon® used in air conditioning, and glycols, which are air conditioning by-products; and jet fuel found near airports. In actual one-sided exposure tests to these fluids, Hypalon®-based membranes performed better than or equal to competitive membranes based on plasticized PVC and EPDM.
Well here is a quote from Pennel who make most of the stuff!!!
In all cases, it is best to wash the material with soapy water, or with diluted bleach (hypochlorite) or ORCA® nautical finish
Exceptionally, a cleaning with a solvent of Methyl Ethyl Keton can be tried, on boats used daily for example, but it is relatively sensitive because it must be homogeneous and must respect the regulations (toxicology, environmental protection) in force.
Finishing products, such as silicons or others, are not suggested.
The brief Hypalon description is only an example of how tough it can be when used in various applications. When was the last time you applied a protectant on your Hypalon roof?
I have observed many Navy Rhibs baking in the sun with no protection, no cleaning, and no floor polish, those boats still function and hold air. I’m talking about Rhibs exposed to the elements for 10 or more years. The down side is the appearance, any boat will show age at a faster rate when not protected from the elements. I prefer to protect my investment with a high quality product that is recommended by the boating industry and those who work with the fabric. Find me something better than 303 and I’ll put it to the test, we have lots of UV in SOCAL.
Polymarine has a product and its fantastic inflatable boat finish used it myself and it buts a real glossy finish on the tubes dirt just wipes of
Just used The Polymarine I B Finish this pm on mine. Very impressed, the boat looks like new. She'd had a thorough TFR wash-down pre winter lay-up. One bottle @ £6.50 did 2 coats on the tubes and 2 on the seats.
