Polymers vs elastomers? 1

[321GO]

Hi guys, hope you're all well.

What is the difference between the term "ploymers" and "elastomers"?

I'm somewhat confused?

 

[CoryPad]

Polymers are materials composed of many repeating units. The final polymer can be thermoplastic, thermosetting, or elastomeric. An elastomer has low elastic modulus and large elastic strain. Rubber would be a type of elastomer, nylon is a thermoplastic and epoxy is a thermoset.

 

[321GO]

Thanks Cory

 

[Demon3]

Polymers and elastomers are both, in essence, the same thing. They are made of long chain molecules. In the case of elastomers those molecules are very flexible at room temperature. In the case of polymers they are quite rigid at room temperature.

Chris DeArmitt PhD
President - Phantom Plastics LLC

Consulting, ideas and training on plastic materials

http://www.phantomplastics.com