Alexei Volkov
Plastics and elastomers are both types of polymers, which are large molecules made up of repeating subunits called monomers. However, they are not the same. Plastics are polymer materials that have structural integrity under load, while elastomers, commonly known as rubber, are highly elastic and can undergo large deformations and still return to their original shape. Elastomers are flexible, bendable, and twistable at room temperature, while plastics are rigid or semi-rigid.
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What You'll Learn
- Elastomers are rubbery materials with high elasticity and flexibility
- Plastics are synthetic polymers that can be moulded and shaped
- Elastomers are made from natural rubber or petroleum
- Plastics are more durable and resistant to damage from chemicals
- Elastomers are used for sealing, shock absorption and vibration dampening
Elastomers are rubbery materials with high elasticity and flexibility
Elastomers are a type of polymer that exhibit rubber-like elasticity and flexibility. They are composed of long chain-like molecules or polymers, which are capable of recovering their original shape after being stretched or deformed. This unique characteristic makes them ideal for applications requiring resilience and flexibility, such as sealing, shock absorption, and vibration dampening.
The term "elastomer" is often used interchangeably with "rubber", but this can create confusion as natural rubber is a specific type of elastomer made from latex, a milky substance extracted from rubber trees or other plants. Elastomers, on the other hand, can be synthetic or natural. Examples of synthetic elastomers include polyisoprene, butyl rubber, urethane, chloroprene, ethylene propylene diene, and fluorocarbon. These synthetic elastomers offer enhanced properties such as high resistance to gas, moisture, abrasion, oil, chemicals, heat, weathering, ozone, and UV radiation.
The rubbery polymers have a high degree of flexibility and mobility, joined into a network structure. They are soft and flexible yet can withstand and maintain their original form when subjected to external stresses. This makes them highly desirable in various industries, including the automobile, renewable energy, oil and gas, handling materials, and biomedical sectors. For instance, in the oil and gas industry, elastomers are used for seals, belts, flexible hoses, expansion joints, and protective apparel.
Elastomers are preferred over other engineered materials like plastics or metals in many applications due to their flexibility and ability to absorb impact. They are also biodegradable and electrically conductive, making them suitable for use in the medical field for soft tissues and flexible electronic products. However, their production can be time-consuming and expensive, limiting their commercial feasibility in tissue engineering.
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Plastics are synthetic polymers that can be moulded and shaped
Plastics and elastomers are both polymers, but they have distinct characteristics and behaviours. Plastics are synthetic polymers that can be moulded and shaped, whereas elastomers exhibit rubber-like elasticity and flexibility.
Plastics are synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use polymers as their main ingredient. They are created through the polymerisation or polycondensation of organic raw materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil. The word "plastic" comes from the Greek word "plastikos," meaning "capable of being shaped or moulded." This characteristic of plasticity allows plastics to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into solid objects of various shapes.
Plastics are lightweight, durable, flexible, non-toxic, and inexpensive to produce, making them suitable for a wide array of applications, from everyday household items to specialised industrial components. They are also resistant to chemicals and can be recycled. The main types of plastics include thermoset plastics and thermoplastics, which differ significantly in structure, behaviour, and application. Thermoset plastics, such as polyester resin and silicone, undergo a permanent chemical change during the manufacturing process and cannot be remelted and reshaped. On the other hand, thermoplastics, such as polyethylene and polystyrene, can be melted and reshaped multiple times.
The process of moulding plastics involves softening the material and then hardening it to retain the given shape. This can be done through injection moulding or extrusion processes. The versatility, durability, and mouldability of plastics have led to their widespread use, with the plastics industry being one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide. However, efforts to minimise the environmental impact of plastics are also being explored, including the development and deployment of alternative materials.
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Elastomers are made from natural rubber or petroleum
Elastomers are a type of elastic polymer that can be made from natural rubber or petroleum. Natural rubber is an organic compound and an isoprene polymer made directly from nature. It is derived from latex, a milky tree sap, which is a natural, white and sap-like substance harvested from several plants, including the Hevea brasiliensis tree, the rubber fig, and the Pará rubber tree. Natural rubber is generally nontoxic and free of hazardous substances, but some people are allergic to latex.
Synthetic elastomers, on the other hand, are made from petroleum products. These synthetic rubbers are used throughout the oil and gas industry. For instance, petroleum plant parts such as packer cups, stripper rubbers, pipe wipers, gaskets, and bladders are made with rubber parts.
Natural rubber and synthetic elastomers have distinct characteristics. Natural rubber has a polymer chain consisting of loosely joined, tangled isoprene monomers that can be pulled apart and altered but will still revert to their original shape when the force is removed. This gives natural rubber its flexibility and elasticity. In contrast, synthetic elastomers have long, randomized polymer chains.
Both natural rubber and synthetic elastomers are used in various applications. Natural rubber is commonly used in the medical field for gloves, implants, prosthetics, catheters, diaphragms, and tubing. It is also used in the production of automotive tires, especially in combination with other rubbers. Synthetic elastomers, due to their flexibility and durability, are used in automotive products such as tires, seals, and gaskets. They are also used in vibration dampening to reduce noise and improve system service life.
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Plastics are more durable and resistant to damage from chemicals
While both plastics and elastomers are common types of polymers, they have distinct characteristics and behaviours. Plastics are more durable and resistant to damage from chemicals. This resistance to damage from chemicals is a prized property in the field of polymers, as plastics are often used to manufacture parts intended for corrosive environments involving direct contact with various chemicals.
Plastics are synthetic polymers that can be moulded and shaped into various forms through processes like injection moulding or extrusion. They possess a wide range of properties, such as flexibility, durability, and resistance to chemicals. The durability of plastics is determined by factors such as chemical concentration, temperature, and exposure time. For example, some plastics may only be able to withstand small concentrations of a particular solvent but not large concentrations of a specific chemical. Similarly, a higher or lower temperature can make plastic more or less susceptible to damage from a chemical.
There are two main types of plastics: thermoset plastics and thermoplastics. Thermoset plastics are rigid, strong materials that undergo a permanent chemical change during the manufacturing process. Once cured, they become resistant to heat and chemicals. On the other hand, thermoplastics can be melted and reshaped multiple times without losing their structural strength and integrity. This makes them ideal for processes like injection moulding, where the plastic is heated, cooled, and recast multiple times.
Some specific examples of chemically resistant plastics include Polypropylene, PTFE (also known as Teflon), PEEK, and PVDF. These plastics have distinct resistance properties and applications. For instance, PTFE has one of the best chemical resistance ratings of all plastics, while PVDF is a high-performance plastic used in specialized applications requiring high chemical resistance, such as in the chemical, food, and medical industries.
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Elastomers are used for sealing, shock absorption and vibration dampening
While plastics and elastomers are both common types of polymers, they have distinct characteristics and behaviours. Elastomers exhibit rubber-like flexibility and elasticity, while plastics are rigid or semi-rigid and can be easily moulded and shaped. Elastomers are unique in their ability to absorb impact, stretch, and then return to their original shape. This quality makes them ideal for sealing, shock absorption, and vibration dampening.
Elastomers are widely used in various applications that require resilience and flexibility. One of the most common uses of elastomers is in sealing. Their ability to return to their original shape after deformation makes them perfect for creating tight seals. For example, elastomers are used in door and window seals, as well as in O-rings.
Another important application of elastomers is in shock absorption. Their high elasticity allows them to absorb and disperse energy, making them ideal for protecting internal components from impact. For instance, in handheld devices, resilient foam pads made of elastomers are used to control rapid deceleration and protect the device from damage.
Elastomers are also commonly used for vibration dampening. Their ability to absorb and dissipate energy helps reduce the transmission of vibrations and sound. This property is particularly useful in applications such as automotive components, where elastomers are used to isolate and reduce vibrations, improving the performance and longevity of the vehicle.
The versatility of elastomers makes them a valuable material in numerous industries. By understanding their unique properties, we can utilise elastomers effectively in sealing, shock absorption, and vibration dampening applications, ensuring the optimal performance of our devices, machines, and structures.
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Frequently asked questions
No, they are not the same. While plastics and elastomers are both common types of polymers, they have distinct characteristics and behaviours.
Polymers are large molecules made up of repeating subunits called monomers, which are chemically bonded together to form long chains.
Elastomers exhibit rubber-like flexibility and elasticity, while plastics are rigid or semi-rigid. Elastomers can return to their original shape after being stretched or deformed, whereas plastics can be moulded and shaped into various forms through processes like injection moulding or extrusion.
Practical examples of products made from elastomers include tyres, seals, footwear, wetsuits, conveyor belts and O-rings.
Plastics are widely used for seals, automotive components, pipes, wire insulation, and in various industrial applications.
