Rubber, Synthetic

Name:
Rubber, Synthetic
Detailed information:
Any of a group of manufactured elastomers that approximate one or more of the properties of natural rubber. Some of these are: sodium polysulfide (“Thiokol”), polychloroprene (neoprene), butadiene-styrene copolymers (SBR), acrylonitrilebutadiene copolymers (nitrile rubber), ethylenepropylene-diene (EPDM) rubbers, synthetic polyisoprene (“Coral,” “Natsyn”), butyl rubber(copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene), polyacrylonitrile (“Hycar”), silicone (polysiloxane), epichlorohydrin, polyurethane (“Vulkollan”).The properties of these elastomers are widely different. All require vulcanization. In general, sulfur is used only for unsaturated polymers; peroxides, quinones, metallic oxides, or diisocyanates effect vulcanization with saturated types. Many are special-purpose rubbers, some can be used in tires when loaded with carbon black, others have high resistance to attack by heat and hydrocarbon oils and thus are superior to natural rubber for steam hose, gasoline and oil-loading hose. Most are available in latex form.