Polymers in our daily life: synthetic rubber

Today synthetic polymers occupy a very important position in the life of all mankind. They find application in the most diverse areas of our daily life: from clothes, dishes, toys to airplanes, rockets, cars. And one of the most interesting and indispensable for a number of unique properties is synthetic rubber. The formula of a natural analog has a regular structure, while a synthetic one has an irregular structure.

Production of polymers of this type on an industrial scale began shortly before the Second World War in Germany and Russia. Butadiene-sodium rubber "Buna" was produced in Germany. In Russia, polybutadiene was the first to be produced commercially. It was produced by the method of anionic polymerization of liquid butadiene, developed by SV Lebedev.

Already after the war, due to a lack of natural product, a synthetic variety began to be produced in the USA. Since that time and to this day, the release of various materials, based on synthetic rubber, as well as all rubber products, refers to large-tonnage production. Automotive, aerospace and aviation, engineering, construction, electrical engineering, medicine, shoe industry, consumer goods - none of these industries can exist without this unique polymer. Such wide application is due to a complex of unique physicomechanical characteristics of various types of rubber and rubbers based on them.

Synthetic rubber - an elastomer, which is characterized by elasticity, waterproofness and electrical insulation properties. With the use of the vulcanization process, polymers of this type can be processed into rubber and ebonite.

All polymer materials of this class are divided according to the field of application for rubbers of special and general purpose. Synthetic rubber of general purpose is one for which a complex of high-tech properties (elasticity, strength, wear resistance, etc.) is characteristic. Rubbers of general use are successfully used for a wide range of mass production products, mainly for automobile tires. This includes butadiene, butadiene-methylstyrene, isoprene rubbers, as well as isobutylene-isoprene copolymer (butyl rubber).

Synthetic rubber special purpose is always distinguished by several or one unique property, which fully provides special requirements for the performance of the product under extreme conditions. For example, butadiene-nitrile Is known for its high oil and gasoline resistance. Fluorine-containing are excellent sealants and sealants with increased heat resistance (more than 200 ° C). Polysulfide synthetic rubber, vinylpyridine, urethanes, halogenated isobutylenes, etc. are also known.

Despite such a variety of types of polymer materials in terms of structure and properties, to date, developments are continuing in this area, so that the ever-growing demands of different consumers in various fields of activity can be met.