Elastomers, Synthetic, Survey

Abstract The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of the materials designated synthetic elastomers and the elastomeric or rubbery state. The term elastomer describes a material that exhibits rubbery properties, ie, that can recover most of its original dimensions after extension or compression. When elastomers are extended or stretched, the individual long‐chain molecules are partially uncoiled, but will retract when the force is removed. The properties of elastomeric materials are greatly influenced by the presence of strong interchain, ie, intermolecular forces that can result in the formation of crystalline domains. Two principal forces that govern the ability of a polymer to crystallize are the interchain attractive forces and the countervailing kinetic energy. In order to cure or vulcanize an elastomer, ie, cross‐link, certain additives are mixed and compounded with the rubber. Specific elastomers discussed are styrene‐butadiene rubber, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, elastomers resistant to age, solvent, and temperature,liquid rubber, and thermoplastics.