Review some general terms used to describe elastomers
The historical development of rubber technology
Markets and application of rubbery materials

Introduction
Background Theory
Chemistry and structure
Natural polyisoprene – cis and trans configuration
Technically specified rubbers (TSR)
Behaviours of NR in organic solvents – solubility and swelling
Thermal behaviour of NR – burning behaviour

General Purpose and non-oil resistant synthetic rubbers
Butadiene Rubbers (SBR)
Synthetic Polyisoprene Rubbers (IR)
Polybutadiene Rubbers (BR)
Isobutene-Isoprene Rubbers/Butyl Rubbers (IIR)
Ethylene-Propylene Rubbers (EPM and EPDM)

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene (nitrile) Rubber (NBR)
Chloroprene Rubbers (CR)
Silicone Rubbers (Q)

Introduction
Background Theory
Applications
TPE vs. thermoset rubber

A1 : Natural rubber is the rubber produced from natural biosynthesis polymer obtained from a plant called Hevea brasiliensis. When the tree matures, the latex from the tree is collected from a diagonal incision in the tree trunk. The tapping process does not destroy the tree and the tree wound later heal itself. Synthetic rubber is man made rubber produced from petrochemicals and other compounds. Crude oil is the principal raw material for producing synthetic rubber.

A2 : Synthetic rubber has the following advantages over natural rubber:
- better aging and weathering
- more resistance to oil
- resistance to solvents, oxygen, ozone, and certain chemicals
- resilience over a wider temperature range

A3 : Yes. Rubber products made from latex of natural rubber is used for medical treatment and examination and they are normally treated in an additional process of the production line in order to reduce the extractable protein content of the product. Rubber products made of solid natural rubber usually contains very low level of extractable protein as compared to the natural rubber latex products. This is because of the many washing processes the latex has to go through before becoming solid (dry) rubber. Therefore, rubber products made of solid (dry) natural rubber do not normally cause any kind of allergy problem, particularly when contact to human body is minimum.

A4 : Rubber has certain unique properties which makes it suitable to produce rubber products which are widely used in various industrial applications. Rubber is water repellent. It is resistant to alkalies and weak acids. Rubber has elasticity, toughness, impermeability, adhesiveness, and electrical resistance. These properties make rubber useful as an adhesive, a coating composition, a fiber, a molding compound, as well as an electrical insulator.