Elastomers (rubber) are rubbery-elastic, i.e. they can be deformed within their load limit and will return to their original shape when the load is removed. The reason is that the polymer chains form a disorder. External forces (tension, compression, torsion, etc.) force the polymer chains to align themselves accordingly. After the load is removed, the polymer chains return to their initial disordered structure. Elastomers are produced synthetically or nature-based. The raw material for the production of natural elastomers/caoutchouc/rubber (NR = natural rubber) is latex, the milk from the rubber tree. One of the most well-known elastomers are probably the small (colourful) rubber bands used in households. Some more examples are styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR), polyurethane (PUR), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), fluoro rubber (FPM/FKM), etc.
