View source for Rubber (synthetic)

[[File:2006.551-SC179216.jpg|thumb|Necklace with rubber cord<br>MFA# 2006.551]]
[[File:52.1315a-SC14960.jpg|thumb|Children's rubbers<br>MFA# 52.1315a]]
== Description ==

Any man-made [[elastomer|elastomer]].  The development of synthetic rubbers was stimulated when rubber imports ceased in 1941 due to Japanese occupation in southeast Asia.  Within 3 years, US manufacturers had developed over nine types of elastomers.  Most age better than [[Rubber (natural, vulcanized)|natural rubber]] but are still susceptible to degradation by [[ozone|ozone]] and [[ultraviolet%20radiation|ultraviolet light]].  All rubbers must be chemically vulcanized to form an stable product.  The unsaturated materials are [[vulcanization|vulcanized]] with [[sulfur|sulfur]] while others are vulcanized with [[hydrogen%20peroxide|peroxide]], metallic oxide, or [[diisocyanate|diisocyanates]].  

== Synonyms and Related Terms ==

synthetic rubber; caucho sintético (Esp.); caoutchouc synthétique (Fr.); gomma sintetica (It.); borracha sintética (Port.) 

== Examples of Synthetic Rubbers ==
Table of Selected polymers belonging to this polymer class (links are for CAMEO pages)
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
!Polymer name!!Properties of Concern
|-
|[[Polybutadiene]] ([[Buna]])||Compounded with a wide variety of materials
|-
|[[Polystyrene]]||Compounded with a wide variety of materials
|-
|[[Nitrile rubber]] (NBR)||Some NBR are blended with PVC and contain chloride
|-
|[[Styrene-butadiene rubber]] (SBR)||Tendency to crawl; Compounded with a wide variety of materials
|-
|[[Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene]] (ABS)||Compounded with a wide variety of materials
|-
|[[Ethylene propylene rubber]] (EPR)
|-
|[[Ethylene propylene diene]] (EPDM) ||May be crosslinked with other products with sulfur vulcanization
|-
|[[Butyl rubber]] ([[Isoprene]])
|-
|[[Neoprene]] ([[polychloroprene]])||Chlorinated, may off-gas acids
|-
|[[Polysulfide]]||May contain PCB’s, can cause damage to metals when in contact with stainless and carbon steels
|-
|[[Polyurethane]] ([[Spandex fiber|Spandex]])||Problematic class of materials
|-
|[[Silicone resin|Silicone Rubber]] ||Off-gassing depends on the initial curing system, platinum based cures have no off-gassing; condensation cures can produce acid, neutral or basic chemicals during curing; peroxide cures can produce ketones or chlorinated aromatic chemicals as the material ages and breaks down.
|}

==Resources and Citations==
* Contribution: Molly McGrath, AIC Plastics Panel, 2020.

* Theodore J. Reinhart, 'Glossary of Terms', ''Engineered Plastics'', ASM International, 1988

* M.Kaufman, ''The First Century of Plastics'', The Plastics and Rubber Institute, London, 1963

* Pam Hatchfield, ''Pollutants in the Museum Environment'', Archetype Press, London, 2002



[[Category:Materials database]]