Rubber

Name:
Rubber
Detailed information:
Any of a number of natural or synthetic high polymers having unique properties of deformation (elongation or yield under stress) and elastic recovery after vulcanization with sulfur or other cross-linking agent, which in effect changes the polymer from thermoplastic to thermosetting. The yield or stretch of the vulcanized material ranges from a few hundred to over 1000%. The deformation after break, called permanent set, is usually taken as the index of recovery; it ranges from 5 to 10% for natural rubber to 50% or more for some synthetic elastomers, and varies considerably with the state of vulcanization and the pigment loading.See Elastomer.