Materials underwater

[theMerFanc]

So I have a lot of ideas for various kinds of accessories but I am nervous about what materials will hold up underwater and what wont. Has there been any products or materials that you thought would be fine but didn't work out?

I am wondering what would happen to EVA foam of various thicknesses. What about wire? Hemp and rope? What about vinal and other super synthetic fabric?


Also, semi off topic, but has anyone ever used those waterproof pens and notebooks or tried them actually fully submerged?

[Mermaid Jaffa]

You could test them out yourself. Just cut small pieces, string them up and wear it around your neck or wrist.

Wear it every swim for about 6 months. 6 months is a good time frame to test whether stuff will degrade or stay.

Testing time could be up to a year, if things still look good. That way you know for sure that when you make your products, it will last several swims instead of falling apart after one.

[theMerFanc]

You could test them out yourself. Just cut small pieces, string them up and wear it around your neck or wrist.

Wear it every swim for about 6 months. 6 months is a good time frame to test whether stuff will degrade or stay.

Testing time could be up to a year, if things still look good. That way you know for sure that when you make your products, it will last several swims instead of falling apart after one.

Thats a really long time :( My pools are only open for about two months out of the year and I get to swim maybe 10 times in a year. I am hoping to move to a place with a pool soon so that can change but thats a long time to test things :/

[AniaR]

In my experience, wire usually rusts. Vinyl is great. Synthetic fibers can be good it depends on the quality.

[Merman Storm]

For wire, stay away from iron and steel. Use stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. Even then, if its chlorinated water or sea water, rinse it off. Titanium, silver, gold, and platinum are good too, but more expensive. Of those, Titanium can be considered to never, ever rust due to either water or sea water.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Or just make one for yourself as a test product and use it whenever you can. That works too. I was under the impression that you wanted to make professional quality products, like the kind from Merbellas, Finfolk etc.