Stomatex® evolved from a requirement to improve thermophysiological comfort whilst employing the use of closed cell foam, elastomeric materials in dry use on humans.

Traditionally, the use of thermal insulating materials presented significant problems centered around the thermal strain imposed on the user during such use. Secondary to thermal strain is the loss of comfort due to ‘wetting’, caused by the accumulation of sweat.

The use of neoprene bandages to provide therapeutic heat and support in rehabilitation medicine is well established. However, the duration of use is severely limited by the rapid loss of comfort and eventual breakdown of surface tissues through the effects of excessive heat and sweat.

Heat is continuously generated within the body by the chemical processes of metabolism and muscle activity. As a warm-blooded animal, it is essential for man to maintain a body core temperature of approximately 37º Celsius. To achieve this, the production of heat must be balanced by an equivalent loss of heat. If this balance is not maintained, thermal strain will occur.

The body’s responses to thermal strain are extremely efficient and are controlled by the hypothalamus of the brain. If body core temperature or the temperature of a specific area of the body rises then the thermoregulatory mechanisms are initiated in order to maintain core temperature and thermophysiological comfort.

Conduction, convection, radiation and evaporation are the principal means of heat loss in man. If these mechanisms are compromised then the core or skin surface temperature may rise.

The concept of Stomatex® was devised to prevent this occurrence and provide conditions where adequate sweat removal could occur whilst preserving the inherent thermoinsulative properties of closed cell neoprene bandages.

Thermophysiological comfort is jeopardised by ‘wetting’, whilst the presence of water vapour is relatively acceptable to the user. However, it is impossible to create a 'dry environment' without excessive heat loss during the use of closed cell foam materials. Inevitably, any system that addresses these problems will be a compromise between moisture control and heat loss.

The physical form of Stomatex® creates the ideal conditions whereby water vapour may be removed, in a controlled manner, by diffusion and forced convection (‘pumping’).

According to the laws of thermodynamics, heat will always transfer from a region of high temperature to a region of low temperature. Also, according to the laws of diffusion, water vapour will tend to move from a region of higher density to a region of lower density, in an attempt to regain equilibrium.

Stomatex® can be employed to deliver therapeutic heat in injury rehabilitation and the treatment of chronic degenerative medical conditions. Use in orthopaedic support bandages show an increase in user tolerance from a few hours to 24 hours per day continuous use for an indefinite period. The unrivalled duration of wear achieved with items made with Stomatex® makes the fabric an invaluable asset to therapists and medical practitioners.

More Interesting Information on Thermal Insulating Material :

The thickness (thermal insulation) of the insulating component varies from two millimetres (mm) to six mm, with the most frequently used being between two and five mm.

How does the technology work in the dry? The Stomatex system has thousands of tiny chambers and pores formed in the body of the material that efficiently evacuates sweat as it evaporates from the skin surface.

By controlling heat loss from the system while at the same time removing excessive sweat. The overall effect is to create a more comfortable condition on the skin surface.

Used in wet conditions in thermal vests, thermal underwear, shorts, under dry suits and wet suits, Stomatex traps air in the chambers which, acting as an excellent insulator, makes the garment warmer than a similar garment made from ordinary neoprene which does not allow sweat to evaporate. Because Stomatex material has the ability to remove excess heat ad sweat, the suit does not allow the inside temperature to rise in or out of the water.

The products are suitable for use wherever thermal insulation or body protection is required and comfort would normally be compromised by sweating. It has already been used in wide-ranging application including orthomedical supports, sports supports, back supports, equestrian underwear, surface watersports, wetsuits, survival suits, surfing wetsuits, warm-up suits, dive suits, liners and footwear.

The Stomatex® concept never fails to generate ideas and enthusiasm…its applications are infinite.