Elastomer

Elastomers are materials that have both rubber and plastic properties that are joined together by chemical bonds. Some characteristics of elastomers are notable. One is their flexibility and elasticity, which prevent them from breaking or cracking. Another characteristic of elastomers is they swell in the presence of some solvents and are generally insoluble, meaning they cannot be dissolved. Depending on the chemical bonds that join the elastomer material together, there are classifications of elastomers. The two major classifications are thermoset elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers. Thermoset elastomers do not melt when they are heated, while thermoplastic elastomers do.

Most elastomers have the potential to be recycled because they can be molded like plastics. People use elastomers every day. Some examples of elastomers include natural rubber, which is used to make tires, gaskets, and shoe heels. Polyurethane is another example of an elastomer. Polyurethane is used in various industries to make textiles and foam. Neoprene and silicone are other examples of elastomers. Neoprene is in wetsuits, insulation, and industrial belts. Silicone is used to make pacifiers, medical prostheses, molds, and many other things. The global elastomer market is ever-expanding and is projected to grow even more in the next few years.

Brief History

Thermoset rubber was the precursor to elastomers. Thermoset rubber can change form after it is heated, but the form can only be changed once. Some manufacturers were looking for a product that was better than thermoset rubber. The product that was needed had to be lightweight, able to be colored, be soft or rigid, be recyclable, and be cost-effective.

By the 1950s, companies were manufacturing thermoplastic elastomers on a small scale. However, by the 1970s, there were many different types of thermoplastic elastomers. There also became many ways to create these thermoplastic elastomers. Soon there were grades of elastomers that could be made into molds, or thermoformed, which means they could be formed by heat. Essentially, elastomers were created as an alternative to rubber. The biggest advantages of thermoplastic elastomers are the idea that using them can reduce materials, improve manufacturing times, and decrease production costs for businesses.

There are different types of elastomers and each of them has different advantages. Manufacturers need to decide which type of thermoplastic elastomer is best for their needs for whichever product they are making.

The different types of thermoplastic elastomers include thermoplastic polyurethane, styrenic, thermoplastic vulcanizates, copolyamide elastomers, and thermoplastic olefins. The advantages of thermoplastic polyurethanes are that they are scratch resistant, oil and fuel resistant, and resistant to weak acids and bases. Styrenic elastomers have different advantages. They are soft and flexible, easy to grip, and easy to process because they do not require drying. Thermoplastic vulcanizates are resistant to chemicals and can handle elevated temperatures. Copolyamide elastomers are also resistant to chemicals and are strong. Thermoplastic olefins are inexpensive, lightweight, and resistant to abrasions.

Overview

Elastomers are polymers that do not have a defined shape. Their molecular form has been compared to a spaghetti and meatball structure, where the movable polymer chains are like spaghetti strands and the meatballs are the cross-links between those polymer chains. The polymer chains are made from subunits of monomers, and each of those subunits are typically made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.

Elastomers are used in many industries and are used to make materials that people utilize every day. Erasers, belts, shoe soles, balloons, and rubber bands are just some of the examples of the way humans use elastomers.

Not only can elastomers be made into products that people use every day, but they can also be used to save human lives. Elastomers have been used in making heart valves since the 1960s. Because the valves are made of elastomers, they are relatively wear resistant and are a good fit for this industry.

Bioplastics have also been made into elastomers. Bioplastics incorporate living microorganisms in their production process. They have the biochemical advantage of being totally or partially produced from renewable materials such as cornstarch, sugar cane, or agricultural waste materials, so they are considered sustainable.

The idea of bioplastics as elastomers is not a new idea. However, it only recently became economical to produce them in bulk amounts compared to oil-based polymers. Bioplastics can be traced back to the 1940s when Henry Ford used soybean-based polymers to manufacture parts of cars. Because oil-based polymers are harmful to the environment, bioplastics have begun taking their place and have become more useful in many industrial applications such as food packaging, agriculture, and composting bags.

Elastomers are also being used as "ink" for 3-D printers. Researchers have developed a group of highly stretchable elastomers that stretch up to 1100 percent, and are usable for ultraviolet curing and therefore used as "ink" in 3-D printers. Experts believe that these elastomers could help 3-D printers create robots, flexible electronics, acoustic materials, and other items.

Automation is a trend that more companies are moving toward when manufacturing elastomers. Automation is defined as using control systems to automate manufacturing. It means that machines do most processes instead of humans doing them, incurring fewer errors. Another trend in the elastomer manufacturing industry is companies striving for zero-defect manufacturing, which incurs less waste and, in turn, saves money.

The global thermoplastic elastomer industry was expected to grow. In 2023, it generated $26.9 billion. By 2028, that number was expected to increase to $35.4 billion. Experts cited product innovations as one reason why the industry was forecast to grow. Another factor was an improved economic outlook as more countries moved toward thermoplastic elastomers in their manufacturing.

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