This report examines the various rubbers now available for applications at the extremes of temperature and/or aggressive chemical environments, which, by their chemical composition or availability tend to be specified only under such extremes. It describes the role of components made from these rubbers and gives a review of the widening scope for their use. The wide range of applications, some relatively mature with others much more recent, shows the opportunities for sophisticated polymeric materials in many fields of fluid containment, insulation of one material or group of materials from detrimental conditions or as protective elements.
The major area of consumption remains the automotive industry, although the prominence of individual materials within the sector has been changing. The medical, food and related sectors are markets of growing importance. Fluoroelastomers and silicone-containing materials have the largest market shares. The extremes met by the oil and petrochemical industries ensure that they remain key markets for this class of elastomers.
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1.2 The Report
1.3 Methodology
2. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
2.1 Overall
2.2 Materials
2.3 General
3. SPECIALITY RUBBERS
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Acrylics
3.2.1 Type of Material
3.2.2 Summary of Properties and Applications
3.3 Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
3.3.1 Type of Material
3.3.2 Summary of Properties and Applications
3.4 Fluoroelastomers
3.4.1 Type of Material
3.4.2 Summary of Properties and Applications
3.5 Silicone Rubber
3.5.1 Type of Material
3.5.2 Properties
3.6 Epichlorohydrins
3.6.1 Type of Material
3.6.2 Summary of Properties
3.7 Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber
3.7.1 Type of Material
3.7.2 Properties
3.8 Chlorinated Polyethylenes
3.8.1 Type of Material
3.8.2 Summary of Properties and Applications
3.9 Others
3.9.1 Polysulphides
3.9.2 Polynorbornene
3.9.3 Postscript
4. MATERIALS DEVELOPMENTS, PRODUCTS AND TRENDS
4.1 Acrylics
4.2 Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
4.3 Fluoroelastomers
4.4 Silicone Rubber
4.4.1 Solid Elastomers
4.4.2 Liquid Silicones
4.5 Epichlorohydrins
4.6 Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber
4.7 Chlorinated Polyethylenes
4.8 Others
4.8.1 Polysulphides
4.8.2 Polynorbornene
5. END-USER MARKETS FOR SPECIALITY RUBBERS
5.1 The Automotive Sector
5.1.1 Sector Overview
5.1.2 Rubber in Cars
5.1.3 Demands on Rubber Components
5.1.4 Developments and Trends in Seals and Gaskets
5.1.5 Developments and Trends in Belts
5.1.6 Developments and Trends in Other Components
5.2 Electrical Applications
5.2.1 Wire and Cable
5.2.2 Electronics and Telecommunications
5.3 General Mechanical Goods
5.3.1 Seals and Gaskets
5.3.2 Hose and Tubing
5.3.3 Other Industrial Goods
5.4 Construction
5.5 Medical and Food Industry Products
5.6 Sealants, Coatings and Coated Fabrics
5.7 Other Industry Sectors
5.7.1 Aerospace and Defence
5.7.2 Energy Industries
6. THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE ELASTOMERS
6.1 Summary
6.2 Current Supply and Demands by Material
6.2.1 Acrylics
6.2.2 Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
6.2.3 Fluoroelastomers
6.2.4 Silicone Rubber
6.2.5 Epichlorohydrin
6.2.6 Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber
6.2.7 Chlorinated Polyethylenes
6.2.8 Others
6.3 Estimated Future Demand for Speciality Rubbers
7. PROCESSING CONSIDERATIONS AND OTHER FACTORS
7.1 Processing
7.2 Testing Procedures and Debate
7.3 Recycling
CART
