Elastomers are usually thermosets (requiring vulcanization) but may also be thermoplastic (see thermoplastic elastomer).

The long polymer chains cross-link during curing, i.e., vulcanizing. The molecular structure of elastomers can be imagined as a 'spaghetti and meatball' structure, with the meatballs signifying cross-links. The elasticity is derived from the ability of the long chains to reconfigure themselves to distribute an applied stress. The covalent cross-linkages ensure that the elastomer will return to its original configuration when the stress is removed. As a result of this extreme flexibility, elastomers can reversibly extend from 5-700%, depending on the specific material. Without the cross-linkages or with short, uneasily reconfigured chains, the applied stress would result in a permanent deformation. Temperature effects are also present in the demonstrated elasticity of a polymer. Elastomers that have cooled to a glassy or crystalline phase will have less mobile chains, and consequentially less elasticity, than those manipulated at temperatures higher than the glass transition temperature of the polymer. It is also possible for a polymer to exhibit elasticity that is not due to covalent cross-links, but instead for thermodynamic reasons.

Examples of elastomers
Unsaturated rubbers that can be cured by sulfur vulcanization:

Natural polyisoprene: cis-1,4-polyisoprene natural rubber (NR) and trans-1,4polyisoprene gutta-percha Synthetic polyisoprene (IR for Isoprene Rubber) Polybutadiene (BR for Butadiene Rubber) Chloroprene rubber (CR), polychloroprene, Neoprene, Baypren etc. Butyl rubber (copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene, IIR) o Halogenated butyl rubbers (chloro butyl rubber: CIIR; bromo butyl rubber: BIIR) Styrene-butadiene Rubber (copolymer of styrene and butadiene, SBR) Nitrile rubber (copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile, NBR), also called Buna N rubbers o Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubbers (HNBR) Therban and Zetpol

(Unsaturated rubbers can also be cured by non-sulfur vulcanization if desired). Saturated rubbers that cannot be cured by sulfur vulcanization:

EPM (ethylene propylene rubber, a copolymer of ethylene and propylene) and EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene rubber, a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a diene-component) Epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO) Polyacrylic rubber (ACM, ABR) Silicone rubber (SI, Q, VMQ) Fluorosilicone Rubber (FVMQ) Fluoroelastomers (FKM, and FEPM) Viton, Tecnoflon, Fluorel, Aflas and Dai-El

Perfluoroelastomers (FFKM) Tecnoflon PFR, Kalrez, Chemraz, Perlast Polyether block amides (PEBA) Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), (Hypalon) Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)

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(March 2008)

Polyether block amide or PEBA is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). It is also known under the tradename of PEBAX (Arkema). It is a block copolymer obtained by polycondensation of a carboxylic acid polyamide (PA6, PA11, PA12) with an alcohol termination polyether (Polytetramethylene glycol PTMG), PEG). The general chemical structure is:
HO - (CO - PA - CO - O - PE - O)n - H

PEBA is a high performance thermoplastic elastomer. It is used to replace common elastomers thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyester elastomers, and silicones - for these characteristics: lower density among TPE, superior mechanical and dynamic properties (flexibility, impact resistance, energy return, fatigue resistance) and keeping these properties at low temperature (lower than -40 C), and good resistance against a wide range of chemicals. It is sensitive to UV degradation, however.

Applications
PEBA is found in the sports equipment market: for damping system components and outsoles of high end shoes (running, track & field, football, baseball, basketball, trekking, etc.) where it is appreciated for its low density, damping properties, energy return and flexibility. PEBA is also appreciated by winter sports participants as it enables design of the lightest alpine and Nordic ski boots while providing some resistance to extreme environment (low temperatures, UV exposure, moisture). It is used in various other sports applications such as racquet grommets and golf balls. PEBA is used in medical products such as catheters for its flexibility, its good mechanical properties at low and high temperatures, and its softness. It is also widely used in the manufacture of electric and electronic goods such as cables and wire coatings, electronic device casings, components, etc. PEBA can be used to make textiles as well as breathable film, fresh feeling fibres or nonwoven fabrics. Some hydrophilic grades of PEBA are also used for their antistatic and antidust properties. Since no chemical additives are required to achieve these properties, products can be recycled at end of life.

Physical Properties
Properties Melting Point Density Water absorption at equilibrium (23 C, 50% RH) Unit C g/cm % Value 134174 1.00 0.40.7 0.91.2

Water absorption at saturation (23 C, 24H in water) % Shore Hardness Flexural modulus Tensile strength at break Elongation at break Impact resistance (Charpy, notched) Abrasion resistance (10 N/40 m) Surface resistivity Volume resistivity

Shore D 2572 MPa MPa % kJ/m mm cm 12513 32-56 300750 No break 55130 1091013 1091013