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> > I can't imagine how a titanium layer could possibly prevent some heat loss
> > in a wetsuit. I thouht heat loss in wetsuits are essentially by conduction
and
> > convection and not by radiation. 

[snip]

> I think the principle is that your body will warm the titanium layer faster
> than the titanium will transmit that heat through the neoprene into the water.
>                                           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


All this has the feel of marketing hype to me.

In the last day or two I've heard of stainless steel lined wetsuits
that are supposed to conduct heat more evenly across a person's body
and titanium lined wetsuits where a metal is supposed to act as a
superior insulator compared to materials loaded with dead air. I'm
sorry, but I don't buy any of this.

Metals are not known for their insulating qualities, and if a metal
is used to conduct heat over a larger area (a task for which stainless
steel is poorly suited) then that just means that there is a larger
area across which the heat is being absorbed into the environment.

As for the idea that the metals may work like a space blanket, a
space blanet provides a reflective surface that will contain radiant
energy but not conducted energy. Besides, from what I have heard
those suits are not metalized or shiny inside. On top of that, 
titanium would not be an especially good choice for its reflective
qualities.

My guess is that people are selling "titanium" wetsuits because 
titanium has a hi-tech, hi-dollar sound to it. Perhaps next years
fad will be "carbon-fiber composite" wetsuits that will not only
keep a person warmer, but protect them from being penetrated by
shark bites and drive by shootings.

So what are the manufactors' claiming as to why titanium makes a
wetsuit warmer? Does the emperor have clothes? And when can I get 
a Ronald Regan kevlar combination bullet proof overcoat and wetsuit?

> > Michael Walz
> 

Eric

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