Only one synthetic rubber has been developed as a general-purpose replacement
for natural rubber. This rubber is composed principally of about one part of
styrene and about three parts of butadiene and is known as styrene-butadiene
rubber, or SBR; it was formerly known as Buna-S -and GRS.
No synthetic rubber has the
chemical composition or all the properties of natural rubber.
However, some special-purpose
synthetic rubbers have been developed which have particular properties that are
superior to natural rubber for specific purposes. The four principal special-purpose
synthetic rubbers are nitrile, neoprene, butyl, and thiokol.
Thiokol is used where high resistance to oils and chemicals, which attack
natural rubber, are desired and where its unpleasant odor is not objectionable.
Neoprene have high resistance to mineral oils, heat, oxidation,
ozone, sunlight, and burning.
Nitrile rubber competes with neoprene where resistance to oil and
gasoline is desired. Almost all nitrile rubber produced during World War II was
used in self-sealing fuel tanks, gaskets, cable covers, and similar equipment
for military aircraft.
Butyl rubber is markedly superior to natural rubber in air
retention and is used for inner tubes.
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