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

The Apple Watch Sport straps are all made of fluoroelastomer - here is what this means

So, Apple has just announced the prices and release dates for its first-ever wearable, which will come in three different variants. Cupertinians also used the occasion to remind us of all the features, functions, and appearance options of the fruity timepiece. Now, since many of the Watch's functions are strictly catered to the sporty types out there, it only makes sense that the "sport" band is not only available for the "Sport" variant of the wearable, but can also be obtained with any of the other two higher tiers – the Watch and Watch – Edition.

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!

Options

18 Comments

1. Neo_Huang

Posts: 1067; Member since: Dec 06, 2013

Hey, Apple is using high-quality materials for once.

posted on Mar 09, 2015, 3:40 PM 0

2. DogeShibe

Posts: 1121; Member since: Jan 10, 2014

The most overpriced , over overhyped & overrated product ever.

posted on Mar 09, 2015, 3:59 PM 7

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: 7321; 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

ok i get it now

posted on Mar 09, 2015, 7:41 PM 0

18. Leo_MC

Posts: 7432; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

I think you can; once you buy a watch you can use any strap you want.

posted on Mar 10, 2015, 6:19 AM 1

4. Leo_MC

It's almost worthless for sports unless the watch is water resistant.

posted on Mar 09, 2015, 4:19 PM 0

5. DogeShibe

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

9. Leo_MC

Some people find the 6 L petrol engine of a Rolls Royce to be affordable and some people find the tax in Denmark for 1 L diesel Beetle to be extremely high. We're not all as poor/rich as the other.

posted on Mar 09, 2015, 5:10 PM 0

7. arch_angel

it is water resistant

10. Leo_MC

I found no data to back it up. If it's wr (at least for 30 m - which is splashes and a bit of swimming above the water), it might worth getting one.

posted on Mar 09, 2015, 5:11 PM 0

11. arch_angel

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

12. Leo_MC

Maybe not for you.

posted on Mar 09, 2015, 6:28 PM 0

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

14. sgodsell

That's Apple for you.

posted on Mar 09, 2015, 6:32 PM 0

16. Nathillien unregistered

Yeah - plastic - but I knew they will find a different name for it.

posted on Mar 09, 2015, 8:04 PM 0

17. jychoo12

Posts: 1; Member since: Mar 10, 2015

How did this get into VOGUE? These glow in the dark looking bands are too retro for my taste. My friend just sent me this link: casetify.com/apple-watch to customize your own band to make it more personalized.