The Apple Watch Sport straps are all made of fluoroelastomer - here is what this means
posted by Paul.K
/ Mar 09, 2015, 3:21 PM
Whether you intend to buy the lowest tier Watch Sport, or you intend to get the "Sport" band with one of the other models, you are probably curious what this mysterious material, called "fluoroelastomer", is. It kind of looks like rubber, you'd be correct there, but it's much tougher than your average elastic strap.
Fluoroelastomer comes from the two words "fluorinated" and "elastomer". The former refers to a chemical process, which either treats or binds a certain material with fluorine, while the latter simply describes elastic polymers (rubber-like material). Fluoroelastomers are famous for their durability and outstanding resistance to heat, oils, solvents, fuels, and ozone – they are often used for fuel-distribution systems or for high-quality lab gloves. It is not a material that will stretch out easily, get damaged by extreme heats, or get deformed by being excessively sweat on. It is also much less prone to induce any allergic reactions than, for example, latex.
Of course, for all its properties, fluoroelastomer is a pretty expensive material, classified as a special purpose polymer, only applied where high chemical protection is required.
In other words – it is tough!
18 Comments
3. camera531
Posts: 346; Member since: Jun 30, 2012
I can't believe that they literally won't sell the sport model with another band. It's either this ugly, cheap looking rubber or nothing. Want leather? They force you to buy the much more expensive steel model. And this is after they bragged and bragged at how easy and innovative it is to swap out bands. What a joke!
posted on Mar 09, 2015, 4:15 PM 1
6. arch_angel
Posts: 1651; Member since: Feb 20, 2015
i thought you could use whatever band you wanted with which ever watch you chose?
posted on Mar 09, 2015, 4:43 PM 0
13. sgodsell
Posts: 6653; Member since: Mar 16, 2013
If you mean any band you want from Apple ONLY. Then sure you can buy any of Apples proprietary bands, because they are the only one's to use these bands. Other smart watches allow you to use regular bands from jewelers, or online from places like Amazon and other sites.
posted on Mar 09, 2015, 6:30 PM 0
15. arch_angel
Posts: 1651; Member since: Feb 20, 2015
ok i get it now
posted on Mar 09, 2015, 7:41 PM 0
4. Leo_MC
Posts: 6121; Member since: Dec 02, 2011
It's almost worthless for sports unless the watch is water resistant.
posted on Mar 09, 2015, 4:19 PM 0
5. DogeShibe
Posts: 1121; Member since: Jan 10, 2014
Were people not living a healthy & happy lives before these smartwatch memes? All of them are overpriced. Will never get a 'smart' watch. Even the off contract prices for smartphones are ridiculous!
posted on Mar 09, 2015, 4:25 PM 1
7. arch_angel
Posts: 1651; Member since: Feb 20, 2015
it is water resistant
posted on Mar 09, 2015, 4:43 PM 0
11. arch_angel
Posts: 1651; Member since: Feb 20, 2015
if it isn't if it is, it doesn't matter because the watch isn't worth buying.
posted on Mar 09, 2015, 5:24 PM 1
8. Af1rPA
Posts: 712; Member since: Jun 12, 2014
I cant believe how fancy they are making this rubber strap sound. I own a number of Nixon watches that have a plastic/rubbery band in a bunch of colours. They all started out nice and colorful and are now all dirty and faded. You cannot clean out the marks. I wonder if the same thing is going to happen to this sports watch.
posted on Mar 09, 2015, 4:52 PM 1
16. Nathillien unregistered
Yeah - plastic - but I knew they will find a different name for it.
