Rubber/elastomers

What is rubber? What is an elastomer?

In the technical field, rubber or elastomer is a product that is produced by
vulcanization
(cross-linking) of
natural
and/or
synthetic rubber
is produced. A rubber/elastomer article is therefore a viscoplastic, vulcanized component. Depending on the application, it may contain metal parts (e.g. rubber-metal buffers) or fabric inserts (e.g. hoses).

The cross-links ensure that the individual
polymer chains
can no longer slide past each other. When a force is applied,
deforms
the rubber merely deforms. The special thing about rubber is that the body returns to its original shape after a load. The resulting damping is used to reduce shocks or vibrations.