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An elastomer is a rubber-like material composed of long chain-like molecules or a polymer that shows an elastic behavior at the time of loading. The elastomer has the properties of both viscous and elastic. A viscous substance is something that is thick, sticky and the consistency is somewhere between the states of a solid and gas whereas Elastic is something that has a tendency of an object to return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed. So, elastomers are known to have Viscoelasticity behavior.
An Elastomer is a polymer generally having notably low young’s modulus and high yield strain compared with other materials. Elastomer is a very special type of polymer as they have an amazing characteristic and that property is that they are very elastic in nature which means that they can be stretched and pulled but they will not plastically deform up to a certain point. Elastomers are capable of configuring the right distribution of applied pressure in order to retain their original size and shape. Elastomers are used to manufacture duckbills and diaphragms of plastic diaphragm check valves. Elastomers are macromolecular material that returns rapidly to approximately their initial dimension or shape after deformation by weak stress.
Elastomer
Example: Natural Rubber, gaskets/ O-Ring, Neoprene, Silicon polymers, Nitrile rubber gloves, Polybutadiene, Polyurethanes, etc are the best example of elastomer.
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Keyterms: Rubber, Polymer, Natural Rubber, Gaskets/ O-Ring, Neoprene, Silicon polymers, Nitrile rubber gloves, Polybutadiene, Polyurethanes
Why are Elastomer Stretchy?
Following are the reason why the elastomers are stretchy in nature:-
- Elastomers have a high elongation to break so they can be stretched a lot before they break.
- Elastomers have a small amount of cross-linking allowing them to have a high elongation to break.
- Elastomers are often lightly Cross-linked thermosets.
Read more: Kinetic Friction
Types of Elastomer
The different types of elastomers are:-
- General Purpose Elastomers- General purpose elastomers are the ideal polymers relieved of molecular interactions, crystalline and chain rigidity constraints. They include Poly-butadiene rubber, Styrene-butadiene rubber, polyisoprene, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, etc.
- Specialty Elastomers- Specialty elastomers include Nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, fluorocarbon rubbers, and urethane rubber.
- Thermoplastic Elastomers- Thermoplastic has high elastic properties. They are a diverse family of rubber-like materials that, unlike conventional vulcanized rubbers, can be processed and recycled like thermoplastic materials. They include aliphatic thermoset elastomer, polyamide elastomers, polypropylene elastomers, olefin elastomer, etc.
- Thermo-sets Elastomers- They are polymers with a network structure that is generated or “set” by thermally induced chemical cross-linking reactions.
Read more: Types of Friction
Properties of Elastomer
The properties of Elastomer are:
- High amorphous materials
- High randomly orientated structure
- Large reversible extension
- Low intermolecular forces allowed for flexibility
- Rubberoid material
- A spaghetti and meatball structure with meatballs signifying cross-links.
- Elongation to break
- Coloring is used to differentiate between compound grades based on their uses.
- Glass transition temperature
- They can bounce back into their original shape.
Uses of Elastomers
Elastomers are used for many purposes but their common uses are given below:
- Elastomers are uses as sealing agents.
- Elastomers are used for the preparations of nylon.
- Elastomers are used in tires.
- They are used in various industries.
- Elastomers are used in gaskets/ o-rings.
- They are used during the making of shoe soles.
- They are used in many household items.
- Elastomers are used mostly in the automotive sector.
- Elastomers are used in cable insulation.
- They are used in adhesives and paints of cars.
Read More:
Things to Remember
- An elastomer is a rubber-like material composed of long chain-like molecules or a polymer that shows an elastic behavior at the time of loading.
- Elastomers are known to have Viscoelasticity behavior.
- Elastomers are macromolecular materials that are very useful because they return rapidly to approximately their initial dimension or shape after deformation by weak stress.
- Natural Rubber, gaskets/ O-Ring, Neoprene, Silicon polymers, Nitrile rubber gloves, Polybutadiene, Polyurethanes, etc are the best example of an elastomer.
- Types of Elastomers are- General Purpose Elastomers, Specialty Elastomers, Thermoplastic Elastomers, Thermo-sets Elastomers
Sample Questions
Ques. Are all elastomers thermosetting? (1 mark)
Answer- Most of the Elastomers are thermo-sets but some of the elastomers can be thermoplastics as well. So, all elastomers are not thermosetting.
Ques. What are Elastomers Applications? (2 marks)
Answer- Elastomers play an essential role in day-to-day life due to their properties of elasticity, flexibility, insolubility, and many other features. Below some of their applications are mentioned.
Ques. Plastics and elastomers differ due to the properties of (1 mark)
a) Resistivity
b) Dielectric strength
c) Acoustic Insulation
d) Extensibility
Answer- d) Extensibility
Ques. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Elastomers? (3 marks)
Answer- The advantages and disadvantages of Elastomers are:
Advantages-
- They are recyclable like plastics.
- They can be easily colored by most types of dyes.
- They offer better durability
- They are resistant to emulsification in damp conditions.
- They don’t bend easily.
- They have less shrinkage.
- Better quality control cost
- No need to add stabilizers or cure systems.
Disadvantages-
- They are much expensive
- General inability to bear the load
- Sometimes poor chemical and heat resistance
- Can be easily distorted
- Sometimes low thermal stability
- Preventing from being used in high-speed automobile tires
- High cost of raw material
Ques. What is the difference between Elastomer and Polymer? (3 marks)
Answer- The difference between Elastomer and Polymer are:
Elastomer-
- It is a polymer with very weak intermolecular forces and Viscoelasticity. Thus, famously known as elastic polymers.
- They inherit the unique property of elasticity.
- They are amorphous structure
- They are elastic in nature. They are capable of configuring the right distribution of applied pressure in order to retain their original size and shape
Polymer-
- Is a macromolecule or large molecule made up of clusters of subunits.
- They inherit diverse properties based on the category.
- They vary from crystalline form to amorphous form.
- They are mostly brittle/ hard/rigid in nature except for elastomers. Application of force can result in permanent deformation
Ques. Is natural rubber toxic? (1 mark)
Answer- Natural rubber is non-toxic and free of petroleum and heavy metals. It is also biodegradable and a renewable resource
Ques. Elastomers are__________________? (1 mark)
a) Thermosetting material
b) Exemplified by protein derivatives
c) Having high flexural strength
d) Having very high tensile strength and heat resistance
Answer- c) Having high flexural strength
Read more: Centripetal and Centrifugal force
Ques. What is TPE material? (1 mark)
Answer- TPE stands for thermoplastic elastomers which are also known as thermoplastic rubbers. It has the properties of rubber and is recyclable.
Ques. Which of the following is not a characteristic of rubber? (1 mark)
a) Non-crystalline
b) Electrical conductivity
c) Chemical resistance
d) Low softening temperature
Answer- b) Electrical Conductivity
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