Some other Types of Rubbers

Polybutadiene rubber BR

Although this is a significant elastomer it is most commonly used as a blend with other rubbers. Grades are very much dependent on the architecture of the repeating unit in the polymer chain. BR is traditionally difficult to process on rubber machinery; this difficulty is not apparent when BR is blended with other non polar elastomers such as NR. BR vulcanizates confer high resilience, therefore low heat build up, and good abrasion resistance to blends with other rubbers (its resilience is excellent and it has a low temperature flexibility second only to silicone rubber). In view of the above properties its major application area is in tires. Other applications are golf ball centers, modification of polystyrene to make high impact polystyrene and miscellaneous products needing improvements in abrasion, low temperature and resilience.

Polyacrylate ACM

This family of polymers exhibit oil resistance. Their heat aging temperature limit is between 150°C and 175 °C. The major application areas are automotive engine and transmission seals, gaskets and O-rings. The low temperature properties are not good, although some grades are flexible to -40°C.

Epichlorohydrin ECO CO and GECO

These halogenated polyethers are available in three forms: a homo polymer (CO), a copolymer (ECO) and a terpolymer (GECO). Attributes found within this group are: extremely low gas permeability, good oil and ozone resistance, and a good low and high temperature range. The high temperature performance is better than that of nitrile. They are used for automotive air ducts, fuel line hose tube and cover and some oilfield applications.

Chlorosulfonated polyethylene CSM

Best known as Hypalon this material has excellent ozone, acid, and weathering resistance together with mild oil and heat aging resistance. It is used extensively for roofing, pond liners and applications needing resistance to strong mineral acids.

Polynorbornene

This rubber has an extremely high molecular weight, allowing it to absorb from 150 to 300 phr of plasticizer and still retain good physical properties in very low hardness compounds. It is used for soft feed rolls for copiers and as the tread for dragster tires.

Reference: An Introduction to Rubber Technology by Andrew Ciesielski 1999