Plastics & Rubbers

What is plastic
Plastic is a polymer material that has the
ability to be molded and shaped by the
application of heat and pressure. This
property is known as plasticity.
It is a synthetic polymer. The malleability of
plastic allows it to be molded into different
shapes.
Plastic has a low density, poor electrical
conductivity, transparency, toughness, etc.
Plastics are very stable with a slower rate of
degradation.
Rubber
Rubber, is defined as an organic material which
is derived from the sap of the rubber trees.
The sap or the latex from the trees is
coagulated and dried to make rubber.
It is elastic in nature and is classified as
Elastomers. Also, it has a high stretch ratio,
high resistance to breakage and water.
Rubber can also be synthesized using
petroleum oil.
 Therefore, there are two types of rubber as
natural rubber and synthetic rubber.
Elastomers
Elastomers are rubber like polymers . They
exhibit more elastic properties than plastics.
(Plastics deform and have lower elastic limit)
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber is a coherent elastic solid
obtained from a milky liquid known as latex
which occur in special vessels in the bark and
in the roots, stem, branches, leaves and fruit
of a wide assortment of plants
Natural rubber is an solid product obtained through
coagulating the latex produced by certain plants.
Mainly the raw latex is tapped from the tree
‘Hevea brasiliensis’
The term rubber was coined by John priestly in 1770
Natural rubber from Hevea Brasiliensis is a
natural polymer composed of an association
of cis( 1,4- polyisoprene) [poly(2-methyl 1,3-
butadiene)]
Natural rubber obtained from Hevea
Brasiliensis is practically pure poly-cis-
1.4 isoprene (contains more than 99.9
% of cis 1.4 structural units)
Properties
Macromolecules of NR are long, regular,
flexible and practically linear, thus it has very
good elastic properties
Glass transition temp, Tg ~ -70°C
spontaneously crystallizes under influence of
strain
It has excellent strength characteristics
Its molecular weight Mw varies between 104 -
107
NR rubbers belong to un-saturated rubbers,
because each their structural unit contains
one double link
NR is susceptible to
the attack by ozone
and oxygen, which
cause its very low
aging resistance.
Mastication
Mastication is process during which the elastic
rubber achieves plastic properties.
 During mastication breaking of chemical bonds
in its macromolecules take place by means of
high shear forces.
This process results in the decreasing of
molecular weight and viscosity of rubber and
consequently it becomes treatable.
 Mastication of NR is performed either at low
temperature on mills or at higher temperature in
closed mixers, often in the presence of peptizers
Mastication of the NR is the most efficient at
temperatures below 60 – 70°C and above 120 –
130°C,
 High shear and heat turn the rubber soft and
plastic In this state, it is possible to incorporate
additives so that the rubber's natural attributes
can be modified and optimized as desired.
The commercial utility of natural rubber has
grown from the ease with which its useful
properties can be changed or improved by
compounding techniques.
Vulcanisation
Unvulcanized rubber is generally not very
strong, does not maintain its shape after a
large deformation, and can be very sticky. In
short, unvulcanized rubber can have about
the same consistency as chewing gum.
Vulcanisation is the process by which
elastomeric materials are converted into 3D
network/crosslinked molecular network (Fig.
1.).
Soft ,weak, plastic material is converted into
strong tough elastic material
Product after vulcanisation is called
Vulcanization, thus, is a process of chemically
producing network junctures by the insertion
of crosslinks between polymer chains.
The process is usually carried out by heating
the rubber, mixed with vulcanizing agents
mainly sulphur, in a mold under pressure.
Silicone Rubber
.
Silicone rubber is an elastomer (rubber like
material) composed of silicone– containing
silicon, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
Silicone rubber is a high-performance
elastomer characterized by an unusual
combination of properties. These properties
range from high temperature performance to
durability, excellent electrical insulation
properties as well as its transparency.
Silicone rubber is a durable & highly-
resistant elastomer (rubber-like material)
composed of silicone (polymer) containing
silicon together with other molecule like
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Its structure always comprises siloxane
backbone (silicon-oxygen chain) and an
organic moiety bound to the silicon.
Hence, the properties of silicone rubber can vary
greatly depending on the:
1) Organic groups (methyl, vinyl, phenyl,
trifluoropropyl or other groups)
2) Chemical structure
They have better
 Heat resistance
Chemical stability
Electrical insulation
Abrasion resistance
Weather ability as well as Ozone resistance
Silicone rubbers can withstand temperature
ranging from -50°C to 350°C
Parts made of silicone rubber when exposed
to wind, rain and UV rays for long periods
result in virtually no change in physical
properties.
 Unlike most organic rubbers, silicone rubber
is not affected by ozone as well.
With these unique characteristics, silicone
rubber is widely used in industries such as
aerospace, automotive, construction, medical,
E&E, food processing etc.

Overall silicone rubbers are used in various

applications as elastomers, adhesives &
sealants, potting, and encapsulating
compounds as well as in coatings, lubricants
etc.
Key Properties of Silicone Rubbers

The strong Si-O chemical structure and high bond energy

give Si Elastomers their unique performance properties.
Several benefits of silicone rubbers include:
 Wide service temperature range – excellent thermal and
thermoxidative resistance (-Si-O-Si- binding energy is
higher than C-C bonds)

 Excellent resistance to attack by oxygen, ozone and

sunlight
 Readily
resistant to electromagnetic and particle radiation
(UV, alpha, beta and gamma rays)
 Excellent non-stick and non-adhesive properties
Low toxicity
flexible at low temperatures due to their low
glass transition temperature (Tg).
Optical transparency
Good excellent insulation properties
Low chemical reactivity
High bio-compatibility
Excellent mechanical properties (high tear
strength, high elongation
Applications
Silicone rubber is a perfect choice of material
in applications requiring:

For applications exceeding working

temperature above 100°C (which most rubber
cannot withstand)
Non-toxic food contact applications
High electrical resistance
High steam sterilization resistance especially
in seals & gaskets used in medical devices
High durability, color matching options etc.
Thankyou...