A polymer consists of large molecules or repetition of subunits held by weak or intermolecular solid forces. An elastomer is a type of Polymer in which the intermolecular forces binding the molecule together are weak. The weak intermolecular forces come with certain freedoms for the material. Rubber is an example of Elastomers. People often use elastomer and rubber interchangeably. Elastomers are amorphous polymers whose elasticity and viscosity define their uniqueness; these properties are together called viscoelasticity. Viscoelasticity refers to the stickiness and elastic nature of elastomers. Elastomers also have a low Young’s modulus and benefit from failure strain.  

There are two types of elastomers, namely, saturated and unsaturated. There are various applications of elastomers in different fields, and thus it remains one of the crucial topics of material sciences. 

Elastomers Properties

The properties of elastomers are as follows:

• Elongation at break: This property tests the point of rupture while the material is under significant tensile stress.
• Viscosity: It is the property of a substance by which it opposes the relative motions between its different layers.
• Elasticity: The elasticity property allows a body to regain its original shape and size on the removal of the deforming forces.
• Tensile Strength: The maximum load that a material can support without fracture when being stretched, divided by the original cross-sectional area of the material, defines its tensile strength.
• Young’s Modulus: It is precisely the ratio of Normal Stress to Longitudinal Strain and defines the elasticity of a material.
• Temperature: The functional temperatures for various elastomers vary according to seal design and dynamic and static operation.
• Polymers: A polymer is a material substance composed of macromolecules or numerous subunits held by an intermolecular force.
• Ageing: It denotes the behaviour of the material when exposed to heat.

Important Points Related to Properties

• There are two types of Elastomers: Saturated & Unsaturated.
• Saturated Elastomers have superior stability against ozone, heat, and oxidation. Polyacrylic rubber, silicone rubber, and polyether block amides are examples of saturated elastomers.
• Unsaturated Elastomers are relatively less stable and can be cured by non-sulphur vulcanisation. Polybutadiene, butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber, and nitrile rubber are some examples of unsaturated elastomers.
• Polymers have a high yield strain (failure strain). Therefore, they are amorphous if they are above their glass transition temperature.
• Hydrogen, carbon, silicon, or oxygen are elements that typically form the monomers for elastomers.
• The rubbers are deformable and soft because elastomers allow significant segmental motions.
• Elastomers are of various grades depending on their application, and the grades are a function of the manufacturing process.

Elastomers Examples

• Natural Rubber: Automotive Industries
• Polybutadiene: Wear Resistance
• Silicone: Prosthetics and lubricants
• Neoprene: Wetsuits/ Industrial belts
• Polyurethanes: Lycra/Textile Industries

Applications of Elastomers

Let us look at the application of elastomers.

• Industrial Applications: 

Elastomers have major uses in engineering and industrial sectors; many industrial applications require elastomers. 

Manufacturers use thermoset and thermoplastic rubber in making sealing rings. Elastomers are the material for the belts of the conveyor systems we see in airports. People use good quality elastomers for making insulation covers for electrical wires. 

• Oil and Gas Applications: 

The oil and gas industry uses synthetic elastomers widely for many purposes. 

Manufacturers utilise elastomers for making hydraulic seals used to prevent leaks; rubber seals are components in storage tanks. People often make hoses from elastomers for maximum flexibility.

• Automotive Applications: 

Tires are made up of natural and synthetic rubbers, giving them apt flexibility, strength, friction, and durability. Elastomers are used in vibration dampening in the automotive industry. Wipers in vehicles are elastomers. 

Elastomers are very commonly used to make adhesives and mounts.

• Agricultural Applications: 

The agricultural industry uses elastomers at various steps. In herd management and food production, we will find uses for elastomers. 

Farmers allocate name tags of elastomers to their animals; the practice is common in large animal farms. These animal tags are water and weather-resistant. Conveyor belts in food production are durable elastomers.

• Medical Applications: 

Gloves used by doctors and nurses are made from latex, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber. One of the most important uses of elastomeric materials in medical industries is making implants and prosthetics, which give people a whole new life at times.

Conclusion

In our daily lives, we know so many products which seem to be elastomers. We tend to call the material rubber, but that limits our knowledge about what exactly this material rubber is and why we use it so intensively. Rubber, an elastomer, finds its use so widely because of its chemical composition and crosslinking bondings among the structure of its monomers. There are natural rubbers and synthetics rubbers. Elastomers are modified and accordingly used for constructing various products.