Elastomers

MFG 355

Elastomeric Materials
Highly amorphous Highly random orientation High elongation

Elastomeric Materials

Elongation at break

Elastomeric Materials

Metals

Strain

Conventional Plastics

Elastomers

Stress

Elastomeric Materials

No Stress

Stressed In tension

Elastomer Processing

Aliphatic Thermoset Elastomers

These are the most common elastomers These have a double bond after polymerization has occurred These are noncrystalline These are highly flexible

Natural Rubber
H H C H H C H C C H H C H H
Gutta percha or Balatta (trans-polyisoprene)

H H C

H H C C C H H H
Hevea Rubber (cis-polyisoprenene)

H C

Natural Rubber
Raw material extracted from trees

Natural Rubber
Material is processed

Natural Rubber
Latex is then dried, sorted and smoked

Natural Rubber
The difficulties with natural rubber
Strength Availability Bacterial breakdown Creep

Natural Rubber
Creep
Solved by Goodyear in the 1800's Discovered that the polymer could be crosslinked (cured or vulcanized) by heating with sulphur
H H C H H C H C C H H C H H
Sulphur attacks this double bond
- As many as 8 sulphur atoms might be in the bridge between molecules

Synthetic Polyisoprene or Isoprene Rubber

Need
Supply of natural rubber disrupted during WWI and WWII 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)

H C H H C

H H C C H H

How is this polymer different from natural rubber?

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 with other polymer materials

Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR)

Oil-Resistant Elastomers
NBRNitrile Butadiene Rubber
Copolymerization of butadiene and acrylonitrile More expensive than SBR or BR

CRChloroprene 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 (TPO)

Block tripolymers (such as SBS) with hard and soft domains Poor compatibility with other rubbers Melt processible

Flouroelastomers
H C H C F H

F C F C

Vinylidene fluoride monomer

Tetrafluoroethylene monomer

Flouroelastomers
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

Silicones
H H H H C H O H

S C H

)n

)n

Silicones

Elastomer Processing
Compounding
Banbury mixer

Elastomer Processing
Preforming Molding Dipping

Impact Toughness Guide

Resin Polyurethane (x-link) Polycarbonate SMC ABS Izod (ft-lb) 25 16 7 6 3 2 2 1 Reasoning High elongation and strength High strength Reinforced and toughened Toughened with rubber High elongation, flexible Can be toughened Can be toughened Can be alloyed

Increasing Toughness

HDPE Acetal Nylon 6/6 PET

PP
LDPE Polystyrene Acrylic Phenolic, w/fiberglass Epoxy, unreinforced Crosslinked polyester

1
1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2

Some crystallinity
Low strength Pendent group Short link, large pendent group Crosslinked Crosslinked Crosslinked

Thank You