Elastromers (Rubbers)

Latex
Latex is a stable dispersion (emulsion)
of polymer microparticles in an aqueous medium. It is
found in nature, but synthetic latexes can be made
by polymerizing a monomer such as styrene that has
been emulsified with surfactants.
What are Elastomers
 An elastomer is a polymer with visco-
elasticity (colloquially "elasticity"), generally
having low Young’s modulus and high
failure strain compared with other materials.
The term, which is derived from elastic
polymer, is often used interchangeably with
the term rubber.
 Elastomers are amorphous polymers existing
above their Glass Transition Temperature, so
that considerable segmental motion is
possible.
Types of Elastomers
 Thermosets
Thermoplastic
Note: Elastomers are
usually
Thermosets
(requiring
vulcanizaton)
but may also be
Thermoplastic.
Thermosetting polymer as a pre-polymer in a soft solid or viscous
state that changes irreversibly into an infusible, insoluble polymer
network by curing. Curing can be induced by the action of heat or
suitable radiation, or both. A cured thermosetting polymer is called a
thermoset.
Common characteristics;
 Large elastic elongation (i.e.200%)
 Can be stretched and then immediately return to
their original length when the load was released
 Elastomers are sometimes called rubber or
rubbery materials
 The term elastomer is often used
interchangeably with the term rubber

Idealized stress-strain curves for metals,

conventional plastics and elastomer
 Elastomeric Materials

No Stress

Stressed
In tension
Cis-trans isomers are compounds that have
different configurations (groups permanently in
different places in space) because of the
presence of a rigid structure in their molecule.
Alkenes and cyclic compounds can exhibit cis-
trans isomerism. trans (the two hydrogen
atoms are on opposite sides)
 Natural Rubber
 Creep
 Solved by Goodyear in the 1800's
 Discovered that the polymer could be crosslinked
(cured or vulcanized) by heating with sulphur
Synthetic
Polyisoprene or
• Isoprene Rubber
•Used in tires for
bicycles and early
cars.
•Used the Ziegler-Natta catalyst system to improve
properties.
•The trans- or cis- nature of the rubber could be
controlled up to 90% in either direction.
 Butadiene Rubber (BR)
 No cis or trans isomers.
 Lower mechanical strength because of no of
pendant methyl group but also more flexibility.
 Lower cost (all synthetic from cheap
monomer)
 Improvement of low-temp flexibility.
 Compatibility
H with other polymer materials.
H

C C H

H C C

H H
 Oil-Resistant Elastomers
 NBR—Nitrile Butadiene Rubber
 Copolymerization of butadiene and acrylonitrile
 More expensive than SBR or BR
 CR—Chloroprene rubber (neoprene)
 Thermal stability
 Non-flammable
 Thermoplastic Elastomers (EPM
and EPDM)
 Many of the properties of thermoset
elastomers
 Resiliency
 Elasticity
 More easily processed
 Injection molding, extrusion and other
standard
thermoplastic processes.
 Highly compatible with polyolefins.
 EPDM is crosslinked very lightly and may not be
capable of being melted.
Thermoplastic Olefin Elastomers (TP
 Block tripolymers (such as SBS) with hard and
soft domains.
 Poor compatibility with other rubbers.
Melt processible.

Flouroelastomes
Many of the desirable properties of flouropolymers
•Low solvent effects
-Excellent for chemical and petroleum handling
applications
•High thermal stability
-Good for gaskets and seals
Flouroelastomers
H H F F

C C C

C
H F F
Vinylidene fluoride monomer
F
H
Tetrafluoroethylen
e monomer
Silicones H C H

S O

H C H

H
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