Elastomers
1. The material must be macromolecular (long chain polymers).
2. Must be amorphous (at least at low strains).
3. Tg must be below the operating temperature.
4.Must have low secondary forces between molecules
(crosslinking bonds) so as to obtain the requisite flexibility.
Rubber Tree
Polyisoprene(Natural Rubber)
•Raw material extracted from trees
•Poly-cis-isoprene (40%) in water
cis polyisoprene
T
m= 28°C, T
g= -70°C
trans polyisoprene (gutta percha)
T
m= 68°C, T
g= -70°C
–Natural rubber in unfilled form
• Very large elastic deformations
• Very high resilience,
•Resistance to cold flow
•Resistance to abrasion, wear, and fatigue.
Natural rubber does not have good intrinsic
resistance to sunlight, oxygen, ozone, heat
aging, oils, or fuels (reactive double bond).
Vulcanizes with 4% sulfurMe
n
Me
n
cis
trans
Polyisoprene(Natural Rubber)
Polyisoprene(Natural Rubber)
Vulcanization
Rubber Processing
Raw Rubber
Vulcanize rubber/
End product
Mastication process
Compounding
Forming process
Vulcanization process
Rubber Compound
What is Vulcanization(crosslinking)?
•It is chemical process
for converting
rubber or related
polymers into more
durable materials via
the addition of
sulfur.
Rubber Processing
Rubber Additives and Modifiers
•Fillers can comprise half of the volume of the rubber
–Silica and carbon black.
–Reduce cost material.
–Increase tensile strength and modulus.
–Improve abrasion resistance.
–Improve tear resistance.
–Improve resistance to light and weathering.
–Example,
•Tires produced from Latex contains 30% carbon black
which improves the body and abrasion resistance in tires.
•Additives
–Antioxidants, antiozonants, oil extenders to reduce cost and
soften rubber, fillers, reinforcement
VulcanizableRubber
•Typical tire tread
–Natural rubber smoked sheet (100),
–Sulfur , Sulfenamide, Zinc Oxide, Carbon Black, and mineral oil
•Typical shoe sole compound
–SBR (styrene-butadiene-rubber) and Clay
•Typical electrical cable cover
–Polychloroprene(neroprene), Kaolin, Carbon Black and Mineral Oil, Cl
n
polychloroprene
or Neoprene
Butadiene isoprene chloroprene
Butadiene Rubbers
Mwt ˃ 100000 g/mole
Butadiene units over 2000 units
Butadiene Rubbers
R˙ + n CH
2=CH-CH=CH
2 Cis 1,4-, Trans 1,4-and Vinyl 1,2-
Vinyl 1,2-polyisoprene
Cis 1,4-polyisoprene Trans1,4-polyisoprene
Butadiene Rubbers
•Butadienecould be polymerized using free radical initiators or ionic or
coordination catalysts
•The reaction is carried out in solventby solution polymerization
•The solvents (hexane, cyclohexane, benzene or toluene) are used to:
-Reduce the rate of reaction
-Control the heat generated
-Lower the viscosity of the polymer in reactor
•Polymerization was run at 20% monomer and 80% solvent
•Polymerization can occur by (Batch process or Continuous process):
-Batch process: monomer, solvent and catalyst are charged to the
reactor and heated to initiate the process to complete polymerization,
The polymer solution is then transferred to another vessel to remove
solvent
-Continuous process:monomer, solvent and catalyst are continuously
fed into bottom of reactors at temperature suitable for polymerization,
Thepolymerization progress through the reactor and polymer solution is
taken off at the top of reactor without stopping the process
Butadiene Rubbers
The shape of polymers (Butadiene Rubbers) according of
the catalyst was used:
1-ziegler –Nata catalysts streoregular BRs (Cis-)
High cis usually ˃ 90% which give green strength and
increase cut growth resistance
-Green strength: is the strength uncured rubber compound
(important in tire building process)
-Increase cut growth resistance: is the resistance to
propagation of the tear or crack during dynamic operation
like the flexing a tire in use (necessary for tire performance)
2-Anionic initiator in a nonpolar solvent Low cis
about 40% with trans 50% and vinyl 10%
Butadiene Rubbers
Properties
1-Cis1,4-is characterized by:
•Lower Tg(-108̊C), high elasticity, low heat buildup,
high abrasion resistance and resistance to
oxidation
•Low mechanical strength which improved by
mixing cisand trans or vinyl block copolymer or a
small amount of natural rubber in matrix
2-Trans 1,4-is characterized by:
Higher Tg(-14̊C), high elasticity, abrasion
resistance and toughness
Uses
Tires, rubber rolls, packing, sealing materials,
electric cable
Styrene-Butadiene Rubbers (SBR)
The most widely synthetic rubber
Styrene-Butadiene Rubbers (SBR)
There are two major types of SBRs (43% overall total synthetic
rubbers)
1-Emulsion (ESBRs) 30% overall total SBRs
2-Solution (SSBRs) 13% overall total SBRs
•Randomcopolymer of butadiene (67-85%) and styrene (33-
15%)
•Tgof typical 75/25 blend is –60°C
•Not capable of crystallizing under strain and thus requires
reinforcing filler, carbon black, to get good properties.
•One of the least expensive rubbers and generally
processes easily.
•Inferior to natural rubber in mechanical properties
•Superior to natural rubber in wear, heat aging, ozone
resistance, and resistance to oils.
•Applicationsinclude tires, footwear, wire, cable insulation,
industrial rubber products, adhesives, paints (latex or
emulsion)
More than half of the world’s synthetic rubber is SBR
World usage of SBR equals natural rubber
Styrene-Butadiene Rubbers (SBR)
Styrene-Butadiene Rubbers (SBR)
1-Emulsion (ESBRs)
•Mixedwith reinforcing fillers, oil and vulcanisingchemicals to
produced rubber compounds
•Rubber compounds are then shaped and vulcanisedunder heat and
pressure to produce the finished rubber article
•Often ESBR is blended with other types of raw rubber such as
natural rubber or polybutadieneto modify the properties of the
finished article
•About 70% of ESBR is used for the manufacture of car tires
•ESBRs are used to manufacture conveyor belts, flooring and carpet
underlay, hoses, seals, sheeting, footwear
Styrene-Butadiene Rubbers (SBR)
Production ESBRs
•Emulsion polymerization was carried out by free radical (redox
system) polymerization to produced (cold SBR at 5̊C)
and (hot SBR at 50̊C)
•For hot SBR potassium persulphateis used as initiaitorin
water as solvent
•Terminationis effected by the addition of chemical substance
which kills all free radicals and added before total conversion
(log chain branching and formation of gel)
•The polymerization products gives 60% conversion in cold
polymerization and 70% conversion in hot polymerization
•Cold polymerized ESBRs: butadiene average about 9% cis,
54% trans, 13% vinyl and 24% styrene
•Tgof SBR is about -50̊C and increase by increasing styrene
contents.
Styrene-Butadiene Rubbers (SBR)
2-Solution (SSBRs)
•SSBR was produced by polymerization at 30-80̊C using
anionic catalyst (butyllithium) in nonpolarsolvent to give a
random copolymer
•SSBR is middle properties between ESBR and BR
•SSBR may be divided into two categories:
-Random copolymer (80%): industry 95%, usually compatible
with oil, blended with the other types of rubbers including
natural rubber and mixed with reinforcing filler (carbon black or
silica )
-Partial block types (20%): used in rubber flooring, carpet
underlay, footwear and in bitumen modification and in
adhesive.
Styrene-Butadiene Rubbers (SBR)
Production SSBRs
•Solution polymerization was carried out by coordination
catalyst
•SSBR produced by coordination catalyst has better tensile
strength than that produced by free radical initiator
•SSBR has better mechanical properties and low Mwt
distribution
SBR Manufactures
Global SBR applicationsGlobal SBR applications
mechanical goods
15%
automotive parts
5%
others
4%
tyres
76%
Styrene-Butadiene Rubbers (SBR)
•Polymeric mixture of butadiene and acrylonitrile in the
respective ratio 2:1 (emulsion polymerization)
•Ratios can be varied to change physical properties
...higher levels of acrylonitrile yield low temperature
flexibility, and increase compound hardness
•When free radicals are used Random copolymer
•When Zieglar-Natta catalyst are used Alternating
copolymer
Nitrile Rubber (NBR)
-CH
2= CH -CH = CH
2-
CN
acrylonitrilebutadiene
-CH
2-CH -+
Poly(butadiene -co-acrylonitrile) NR
Nitrile Rubber (NBR)
Heat –agingresistance
Abrasionresistance
Tensile
Stiffness
Thermoplasticity
Compatibility with polar polymers
Oil/fuel resistance
Cure rate –Sulphur Cure System
Processability
Density
Increases
Air/gas permeability
Low temperature flexibility
Cure rate –peroxide system
Resilience
Decreases
Nitrile Rubber –Effect of Acrylonitrile Content
As ACN Increases
Chemical and Physical Properties
•Good Tensile strength, Tear resistance, Abrasion resistance,
Flame resistance and chemical resistance (Water, oil, Dilute
acids, Dilute alkalis)
•Can perform over a wide temperature range
•Has good resistance to gas permeation which increases as the
level of acrylonitrileincreases
•Canbeblended,upto50%,withpolyvinylchloride(PVC)to
producecompoundsthatexhibitgoodweathering
characteristicsinadditiontogooddynamicproperties
•Canbeco-polymerizedwithmethacrylicoracrylicacidto
producecarboxylatednitrile(XNBR),whichisnotedforits
excellentdynamicpropertiesandabrasionresistance
Nitrile Rubber (NBR)
Nitrile Rubber (NBR)
Applications of Nitrile(NBR)
Common Applications of NitrileRubber are:
•Gaskets and seals –NBR (for high hardness)
•Hoses and Belting –NBR (mainly in tubes), NBR/PVC (mainly in
covers)
•Rollers –NBR, XNBR (for high hardness)
•Cable Jackets –NBR/PVC
•Textile (spinning cots/aprons) –NBR, NBR/PVC
•Industrial footwear –NBR, NBR/XNBR blend, NBR/PVC sponge
•Insulation –NBR/PVC sponge
•Molded/extruded components for various industries &
automotive
•Fabric proofing –NBR
Polyisoprene Rubber (PIR)
or anionic initiators
Cis 1,4-
Polyisoprene Rubbers are similar natural Rubbers in structure and properties
Z-N catalyst
produced
(streoregular)
Cis 1,4-
98.5%
Free Radical
initiator
produced
(random)
mixture of
isomers Cis
1,4-, Trans
1,4-, 1,2-and
3,4-polymers
Free Radical
•Cispolyisopreneis similar natural rubber and can
be Vulcanized and Trans polyisoprenecannot be
Vulcanized
-High tensile strength,
-Insensitivity to temperature changes
-low abrasion resistance
•Lower Temp Capability
-50
o
C= T
m
-70
o
C= T
g
•More Resistant to Ozone
•Very Low Gas Permeability
Inner tire tubes
Polyisoprene Rubber (PIR)
Properties and uses
Neoprene Rubber (Polychloroprene) (CR)
•Polymerization of neoprene can be occur by Ionic and
Ziegler-Natta Catalysis Techniques
•Polymerization occur in water emulsion with potassium
sulfate as a catalyst
•The product is a random polymer and can Vulcanized
with sulfur or metal oxides
Carbon polymer with a single chlorine attached to the double bond.
Neoprene Rubber (Polychloroprene) (CR)
Neoprene Rubber (Polychloroprene) (CR)
Characterized by:
•High tensile strength
•High heat resistance
•Excellent oil resistance (better than natural
rubber)
•Good chemical stability
•Flexible over a wide temperature rang
•Colorless
•Resistant to sun, weather and ozone
deterioration
What property does chlorine give to the overall
polymer?
•Lower flammability!!!
Neoprene Rubber (Polychloroprene) (CR)
Butyl Rubber (BR)
+
Isobutylene Isoprene Butyl rubber
97.5% 2.5%
•Butyl rubber was produced by copolymerization between
Isobutylene and Isoprene (0.5-2.5%) in the presence of
Zieglar-Natta catalyst at low temperature (-95̊C)
•The polymer can be vulcanization
•Mwt at least 200000 g/mol
•Butyl rubber unlike natural rubber and flexible down to
-50̊C
Butyl Rubber (BR)
–Copolymer with a few isoprene
units, Tg = -65°C
–Contains only a few percent double
bonds from isoprene used for
vulcanization (crosslinking)
–Resistance to aging, moisture,
chemicals, and ozone
–Used in electrical cable insulation,
protective gloves, chemical tank
and pharmaceutical stoppers
Properties and uses
Types of neoprene
•Normal linear grades (general-purpose grades):
–General-purpose grades are mostly produced with n-dodecyl
mercaptan as the chain transfer agent and occasionally with
xanthogen disulfides.
–Depending on the ingredients used the polymer can be more
readily proccessible and give improved mechanical properties.
•Precrosslinked grades:
–Precrosslinked grades consist of a blend of soluble
polychloroprene and crosslinked polychloroprene.
–They show less swelling after extrusion (die swell) and better
calenderability.
–Precrosslinked grades are particularly suitable for the extrusion
of profiled parts.
Types of neoprene
•Sulfur-modified grades:
–Sulfur-modified grades are copolymers of chloroprene and elemental
sulfur.
–Sulfur-modified grades are used in particular for parts exposed to
dynamic stress, such as driving belts, timing belts or conveyor belts
because of their excellent mechanical properties.
–But the polymers are less stable during storage and the vulcanizates
less resistant to aging.
•Slow crystallizing grades:
–Slow crystallizing grades are polymerized with 2,3-dichloro-1,3-
butadiene as a comonomer.
–This comonomer reduces the degree of crystallization by introducing
irregularities into the polymer chain.
–Crystallization resistant grades are used to produce rubber articles,
which have to retain their rubbery propertiesat very low
temperatures.
•Overall will focus on the one type of
neoprene production:
–Limestone based neoprene.
Limestone Neoprene
•Limestone neoprene has a high micro-cell structure.
–These are independent closed cells (bubbles basically) within
the neoprene that are packed together at an extremely high
density.
–limestone neoprene has a 94% cell penetration.
–less dense than oil-based neoprene.
•Because of this micro-cell structure, limestone neoprene provides
several serious distinct advantages to the functionality of wetsuits
compared to the traditional oil-based neoprene:
–It is more impermeable
–It is lighter in weight
–It is warmer
–It is more durable
–It is stretchy
Oil-Based Neoprene (comparison)
•Low micro-cell structure.
•Oil-based neoprene has a cell penetration of 60-70%
–The amount of bubbles or pockets with in the polymer, oil
based neoprene has low density closed cells.
•Also denser than limestone neoprene.
•Problems associated with inferior-quality neoprene:
–Delamination: blisters between the nylon and rubber which
deteriorates quickly
–Compression: neoprene 'cave-ins', especially around the
knee/elbow areas
–No memory: does not return memory (hold its shape) and the
fit gives out over time
–Splits: neoprene splits unnecessarily within the nylon layers
The Makings!!!
•Yamamoto uses acetylene derived from the
calcium carbonate found in limestone.
•Extracted limestone is fed into a furnace and
heated at a temperature around one-tenth of
that used for refining petroleum
•Calcium carbide is produced by heating coke
with calcium oxide (limestone) in an electrical
furnace up to 2000 °C.
The Makings cont.!!!
•Calcium carbide reacts with water, releasing acetylene,
C2H2.
•Dimerizationof acetylene by passing it through an aqueous
solution of Ammonium Chloride and Cuprous Chloride at
343K.
•Vinylacetyleneperforms a Markonikovaddition under acidic
condition to produce Chloroprene
CaC2(s) + 2 H2O(l) C2H2 (g) + Ca(OH)2 (aq)
The Makings cont.!!!
•The Chloroprene obtained undergoes Polymerization to give
Neoprene. Though no specific catalysts are needed for this process
but the polymerization becomes faster in the presence of Oxygen or
peroxide.
•The polychloroprene rubber chips are melted and mixed together
with foaming agents and black carbon pigments, and then baked in an
oven to make it expand.
•It's during this process that Yamamoto's specialized technology
combines with the calcium carbonate to create the micro-cell
structure of limestone neoprene versus the regular oil-based
neoprene.
Oil-Resistant Elastomers
•Polychloroprene
–Polychloroprene or neoprene was the very first synthetic rubber
–Due to polar nature of molecule from Cl atom it has very good
resistance to oils and is flame resistant (Cl gas coats surface)
–Used for fuel lines, hoses, gaskets, cable covers, protective boots,
bridge pads, roofing materials, fabric coatings, and adhesives
–Tg = -65°C
–Slowly crystallizes & hardens below 10 °C
–Copolymer with 2,3-dichlorobutadiene won’t crystallizeCl
n
polychloroprene
or Neoprene QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture. Cl
Cl
n
Cl