ELASTOMERS

ELASTOMERS
• Is Polymers that exhibit extreme elastic extensibility when subjected
to relatively low mechanical stress
•Also known as rubber
•Some elastomers can be stretched by a factor of 10 and yet
completely recover to their original shape
•Although their properties are quite different from thermosets, they
share a similar molecular structure
that is different from the thermoplastics
COMMON ELASTOMERS
• Natural poly-isoprene, (Natural Rubber, NR) is still used is large
degree due to its outstanding combination of desirable properties
(elongation & useful temperature range)
• Styrene-butadiene copolymer, (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber, SBR)-
predominantly used in automobile tires, reinforced with carbon black
• Acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, (Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber)- fuel
host gaskets, rollers
SILICONE RUBBERS
• Backbone chain is made of alternating silicon (Si) and oxygen (O) atoms

• R and R’ represent side bonded atoms such as hydrogen or groups of

atoms such as CH3
Silicone Rubber Advantage
• high degree of flexibility at low temperatures [to -90 degree Celsius]
and yet are stable to temperatures (as high as 250 degree Celsius)
• Resistant to weathering and lubricating oils- desirable for application
in automobile engine compartments
• Biocompatibility- often employed in medical applications such as
blood tubing
FIBERS
Polymeric Fiber
• Polymeric fiber or Fiber, is a polymer whose chains are stretched out
straight (or close to straight) and lined up next to each other, all along
the same axis
• Can be spun into filaments, thread, string or rope
• Can be used as a component of composite materials
• Mainly ultilized in textile industry
Characteristic of Fibers used in
textile
• A fiber polymer must have a host of rather restrictive physical and
chemical properties.
• Must have a high tensile strength (over a relatively wide temperature
range) and a high modulus of elasticity, as well as abrasion resistance
• Molecular weight of fiber materials should be relatively high
• Chemically stable- extensive variety of environments, including acids, bases, bleaches, dry cleaning
solvents, and sunlight