Elastomers
Elastomers
• Colloidal structure
• Special kind of linear polymers that display an
exceptionally large amount of elastic deformation
when a force is applied.
• Many can be stretched several times their
original length
• In elastomeric polymers, the linear chain-type
molecules are twisted or curled, much like a coil
spring. When, a force is applied, the polymer
stretches by uncoiling. When the load is
removed, the molecules recoil.
Elastomers
• The elasticity or rigidity of the produce can be
determined by controlling the number of cross-
links within the material.
• Small amounts of cross-linking leave the
elastomer soft and flexible, as in the rubber band.
• Additional cross-linking restricts some of the
uncoiling, and the material becomes harder and
stiffer and more brittle. Ex. Rubber in bowling
balls
Elastomers
• Stress relaxation
– Consider a rubber band stretched between two
nails. While the dimensions remain fixed, the
force or stress being applied to the nails will
continually increase. This phenomenon is known
as stress relaxation. The rate of this relaxation
depends on the material , the force and the
temperature.
Rubber
• Natural rubber, the oldest commercial
elastomer, is made from the processed sap of
a tropical rubber tree.
Composition of Natural Rubber Sap
• 65% water
• Sugar – small amounts
• Latex – remainder (fine colloidal particle of
rubber)
• Hevea brasiliensis
• Sap is collected, coagulated with acetic acid,
washed, dried and pressed
How Rubber Band is Made
Natural Rubber Compounds Properties
• Flexibility
• Good electrical insulation
• Low internal friction
• Resistance to most inorganic acids, salts and alkalies
• Poor resistance to petroleum products such as oil,
gasoline and naphtha.
• Lose strength at elevated temperature (not to be used
above 175deg F / 80 deg C
• Deteriorates fairly rapidly in direct sunlight unless
specially compounded
Charles Goodyear, 1839
• Discovered that rubber could be vulcanized by
the addition of about 30% sulfur followed by
heating to a suitable temperature.
• Vulcanize or cross-link to restrict the
movements of the molecular chains and
impart strength.
Vulcanizing
• Later, reduce sulfur by adding zinc oxide or
magnesium oxide
• In 1906, Rubber + sulfur + zinc oxide and 1%
analine oil
– Results in cutting down the amount of sulfur by
3%
– Temperature range 200 deg F – 320 deg F
– Vulcanizing time – a few minutes to several hours
(according to hardness and thickness)
Additives in Rubber
• Accelerators – zinc oxide, magnesium oxide,
analine
• Stiffiners – carbon black (also toughener)
• Antioxidants – to lessen the deteriorating effects
of sunlight, ozone
• Softeners – pine tar (to aid in processing)
• Pigments – to give color
• Fillers – to add weight & strength (textile cords or
fabric steelwires)
Vulcanization
• Or cross-polymerization
• Purpose
– Increases the tensile strength
– Checks the plastic flow
– Eliminates tackiness
Rubber Materials
• Rubber band
• Ebonite
• When used for springs or engine mountings, it
is usually bonded to metal
• When used to make tires or hose, it is bonded
to cotton, rayon, nylon.
Synthetic Rubber
• Artificial
• Characterized by having a rubber-like resiliency,
that is, a spontaneous recovery after elastic
deformation
• To overcome some of the limitations as well as
uncertainty in the supply and price of natural
rubber.
• Polyisoprene – same molecular structure as
natural rubber, with equal or superior properties
• Silicon rubbers – are based on a linear chain of
silicon and oxygen, can operate as hot at 230 C
Buna S
• Petroleum and ethyl alcohol, which yields a
monomer, Butadiene. Butadiene can be
readily polymerized and cross-polymerized by
vulcanization. Styrene was co-polymerized
with Butadiene. And behaved like a raw
rubber.
Neoprene
• Acetylene gas and hydrogen chloride =
chloropene, then vulcanized
• Oil seals, gaskets
• Better heat resistant than rubber
• Non flammable
Buna N
• Butadiene and acrylonitrite instead of styrene.
• Resistance to most oil solvents
Butyl Rubber
• Isolutylene (petroleum product) with
butadiene
• Abrasion resistant
• Used in inner tube tires
Silicone Rubber
• Silicones undergoes further processing,
producing methyl silicone rubber
• Withstand high temp
• Baking and drying ovens
Elastomers
• Natural rubber – tires, gaskets, hose
• Polyacrylate – Oil hose, O-rings
• EDPM (ethylene propylene) – Electric insulation,
footwear, hose, belts
• Neoprene – wire insulation, belts, hose, gaskets,
seals and linings
• SBR (styrene-butadiene) – molded mechanical
goods, disposable pharma items
• Silicone rubber –insulation, seals, gaskets, O-rings
