Polysulfide

Description

A synthetic elastomer containing sulfur and carbon links. Polysulfide is made by reacting sodium sulfide with an organic dichloride such as dichlorodiethyl formal. Polysulfide elastomers are resilient and are resistant to chemicals and ultraviolet light. However, they have poor tensile strength and abraded easily. Polysulfide elastomers were used as two part sealants that cure at room temperature in the 1960s. By the 1980s, they were replaced by silicone and urethane sealants.

Synonyms and Related Terms

polysulphide (Br.); Polysulfide (Deut.); polisulfuro (Esp.); polysulfure (Fr.); polisolfuro (It.); polisulfureto (Port.)

Examples: Thiokol® [Thiokol Chemical];

Risks

May contain PCBs.

Resources and Citations

• J.Panek, "Polysulfide Sealants and Adhesives" in Handbook of Adhesives, I.Skeist (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1977, p.368-381.

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 680

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysulfide (Accessed Feb. 10, 2006)

• Thomas C. Jester (ed.), Twentieth-Century Building Materials, McGraw-Hill Companies, Washington DC, 1995

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