Knowledge Base

Rubber / Elastomer

Originally, the term "rubber" referred to mixtures made from a substance called latex, which is found in nature in the rubber tree (Hevea). The chemical name for this polymer is polyisoprene. Natural rubber possesses a number of excellent physical properties, including high flexibility, high tensile strength, good abrasion resistance, and outstanding water resistance. Click Here To Learn More.

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Service Temperatures

The service temperature of an elastomer is important to understand how it responds at different temperatures. The service temperature range table is for reference only. In actual service environments, compounds may not reach the maximum temperature specified in this table. However, higher temperatures can be attained if the exposure is for a short duration or intermittent. Click Here To Learn More.

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Hardness (Shore A/D)

The hardness (Shore A/D) of a material is a measure of its resistance to permanent indentation. The device used to test rubber materials is called a durometer. There are twelve scales for defining the hardness of different materials: A, B, C, D, DO, E, M, O, OO, OOO, OOO-S, and R. The different scales apply to materials with different characteristics; for example, scale A is suitable for soft plastics. The scale values range from 0 to 100, with 100 durometer indicating the hardest material. The standard durometer testing device was developed by Albert Ferdinand Shore, and results from this device are referred to as Shore hardness. Click Here To Learn More.

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Tensile Strength (TS)

Ultimate tensile strength (UTS), commonly referred to as tensile strength (TS) or maximum strength, is the maximum load that a material can withstand in a tensile or pulling action before failure or fracture. The maximum load that vulcanized rubber or thermoplastic elastomer can withstand before failure is its ultimate tensile strength. Click Here To Learn More.

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Elongation

Elongation is defined as the length at the point of rupture expressed as a percentage of the original length (i.e., the length at rest). If rubber reaches twice its original length before breaking, its elongation is 100%. Click Here To Learn More.

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Storage and Shelf Life

Shelf life of elastomers when stored properly is especially determined by the specific compound. Click Here To Learn More.