Synthetic rubber is a man-made rubber which is produced in manufacturing plants by synthesizing it from petroleum and other minerals. Synthetic rubber is basically a polymer or an artificial polymer. It has the property of of undergoing elastic stretchability or deformation under stress but can also return to its previous size without permanent deformation.

Rubber in its native form is basically useless. It is only when certain chemicals are added, the rubber thus produced is used to make varied rubber products. Synthetic rubber is used as a substitute for natural rubber in many cases. Depending on the chemicals added and the properties associated with it, the synthetic rubber can be as hard as a bowling ball or as resilient as a rubber band or as soft as a sponge. When improved material properties are required, synthetic rubber is considered. Approximately 70% of all rubber used today is synthetic rubber.

What are the chemical types in synthetic rubber?
There are approximately 20 different chemical types of synthetic rubber, and within each type there are different grades. The different types of synthetic rubber have their own individual properties and advantages. The industry choose that rubber which most clearly meets the demands of an intended use.

Types of Synthetic Rubber

• Acrylic Rubber (ACM)
• Butadiene Rubber (BR)
• Butyl Rubber (IIR)
• Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSM)/ Hypalon
• Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPM, EPDM)
• Fluoroelastomers (FKM)/ Viton
• Isoprene Rubber (IR)
• Nitrile Rubber (NBR)
• Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM)
• Polychloroprene (CR)/ Neoprene
• Polysulfide Rubber (PSR)
• Silicone Rubber (SiR)
• Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR)

What led to the development of synthetic rubber?
During the World War II, the United States was cut off from almost all of its sources of natural rubber in the Pacific. In order to meet the country's needs for this important material, the government built synthetic rubber plants and the manufacturing industries operated them. Synthetic rubber production increased from 8,000 tons in 1941 to 820,000 tons in 1945. After the World War II, the government sold these synthetic rubber plants to the industries. After that there is no looking back. There are different types of synthetic rubber having different properties and manufacturers and suppliers are producing different range of rubber products which are used for commercial and industrial purpose. According to a research report, the global demand for industrial rubber products is estimated to rise to 4.3% annually through 2013 to $97.8 billion. For more information, check out Rubber Industry Global Overview

How is synthetic rubber produced?
Check this out at Synthetic Rubber