ABSTRACT
At ambient temperatures, usually amorphous rubbers are thus relatively so (E ∼ 3 MPa) and deformable. In order to be made into useful rubber products, elastomeric materials must be subjected to various modications. ese include strengthening of the material by cross-linking the polymer chains (for instance, with sulfur atoms by a process known as vulcanization), further strengthening by llers such as carbon black, and also treatment with chemicals that provide resistance to weathering and chemical attack. For fabrication into adhesives, elastomers are oen dissolved in organic solvents and treated with various other additives to improve their application, adhesion, and durability. e elasticity is derived from the ability of the long chains to recongure themselves to distribute an applied stress. e covalent cross-linkages ensure that the elastomer will return to its original conguration when the
16.1 Introduction ......................................................................................397 16.2 Applications of Elastomers ..............................................................398
