Previous papers in this symposium have described various types of synthetic rubbers, certain physical test procedures commonly employed, and the comparative physical properties of the important synthetic rubbers as determined by these physical tests. It is the purpose of this paper to go a step further and discuss specifications for synthetic rubber compounds, particularly as evaluated by standardized A.S.T.M. procedures.

Elastomers and Rubber Compounding Materials reviews the properties of elastomers and particular groups of ingredients and chemicals mixed into the basic elastomer to form a rubber compound. After introducing the history of rubber industry and the general properties of rubber, the book discusses the properties, classification, concentration, stabilization, modification, application, transport, and storage of latex. It presents as well the methods of production, composition, physical properties, and chemical reactions of dry rubber. The book then focuses on the production and classification of different synthetic rubbers, such as styrene-butadiene, isoprene, butadiene, ethylene-propylene, and chloroprene. It also discusses the production, properties, and applications of elastomers, vulcanization chemicals, fillers, stabilizers, plasticizers, blowing agents, and textile reinforcing materials used in formulating rubber compounds. This book will be of great value not only to those who are in the rubber industry, but also to students of polymer science and rubber technology.

This book has its origin in a proposal made a few years ago that I should collaborate with Dr H. J. Stern in the production of a third edition of his well-known text-book entitled Rubber: Natural and Synthetic. The sugges tion was that I should contribute a series of chapters on synthetic rubbers. Although, in the event, it has not proved possible to publish the full book in the form originally planned, it was apparent that, with some restructuring, the material which I had collected would be valuable as an independent summary of the chemistry and technology of synthetic rubbers. It is in this form that the material is now offered. The primary purpose of this book is to provide a brief up-to-date survey of the principal types of synthetic rubber which have been and are currently available. Two classes of material are included which are regarded by some as being thermoplastics rather than rubbers, namely, plasticised polyvinyl chloride and the thermoplastic synthetic rubbers. The topics which are covered for each main family of synthetic rubbers are (i) the sources of the monomers, (ii) polymerisation procedures and the effects of important polymerisation variables upon the rubber produced, (iii) the types of rubber currently available commercially, (iv) interesting aspects of the compounding of the rubbers, with special reference to such matters as vulcanisation, reinforcement, protection against degradation, and (where appropriate) plasticisation, and (v) an indication of applications.