Forever Chemicals & Divecore Straps

What Are “Forever Chemicals”?

“Forever chemicals” is a common nickname for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a large group of man-made chemicals known for their resistance to water, oil, and dirt. These chemicals are used in many consumer products, including non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and even some smartwatch straps.

Common PFAS additives include:

• PFOA – used for non-stick and industrial coatings

• PFOS – added for stain and water resistance

• PFHxA – used in waterproofing treatments

• PFNA / PFDA – used for oil and dirt repellency in fabrics and packaging

These chemicals are persistent in the environment and may accumulate in the human body over time.

How Divecore Straps Are Different

Unlike many smartwatch or off-the-shelf straps, we do not add any of these chemical coatings or repellents to our FKM straps.

What we do use is FKM (fluoroelastomer) itself, which is a high-quality rubber specifically selected for diving straps. FKM as a material is a type of fluoropolymer, and technically it falls under the broader “forever chemical” umbrella. However, this does not mean it constantly leaches chemicals during normal wear.

The key points:

• No added coatings: We do not spray, treat, or apply water-, oil-, or dirt-repellent chemicals.

• Curing process: The only chemical used in our manufacturing is perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). PFHxA is a short-chain PFAS that does not accumulate permanently in the body and clears relatively quickly. Its sole purpose is to ensure proper curing and bonding of the FKM rubber.

• Highly stable material: When properly cured, FKM’s molecular structure is tightly bonded and extremely stable. This minimizes the risk of chemical release during normal wear.

• Durable & reliable: Our American FKM rubber is superior in curing and bonding compared to many imported rubbers, providing a more stable and dependable strap.

Safety & Long-Term Use

No material is 100% guaranteed to never release particles over decades of use. Over many years, all FKM straps may leach minute particles of the material itself. But compared to straps treated with additional PFAS-based coatings, a plain, fully cured FKM strap like ours is far less concerning.

Our Future Goals

At Divecore, we’re constantly exploring ways to improve. One material we’re excited about is HNBR (hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber). HNBR is considered 100% safe and has excellent durability. If we can produce straps with HNBR that perform as well as FKM, it could become an even safer option.

Ultimately, we want our customers to have choices:

• FKM – premium, durable, and stable

• HNBR – fully safe and reliable

• Vulcanized silicone – affordable and high-performance

This way, everyone can select the strap material that aligns with their needs, safety preferences, and budget.

Our Commitment

We handle all our materials personally. We wouldn’t want to expose ourselves or our customers to unnecessary “forever chemicals.”