The Future of Elastomer Materials is Bright: Key highlights of the Elastomer Industry

From natural rubber to high-tech materials—humankind has been acquainted with elastomer materials for ages. Elastomers are nothing but elastic polymers, which are amorphous with the glass transition temperature and lightly cross-linked. They were invented as a substitute to natural rubber, and have now stretched into a wide-ranging category by including materials from thermoset rubber polymers used in the general rubber manufacturing to high-performance Fluor-elastomers.

The demand for elastomers in chemical and automotive industries is rising day-by-day. This is mainly due to the rise in the need for high-performance and lightweight plastics in the automotive sector, which offers high productivity, design, and flexibility and hence, offers lucrative opportunities for the growth of the elastomers industry. Furthermore, the application of elastomers in the medical field is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years. Also, a report by Research Dive, states that the global elastomers market is expected to witness a growth of 4.7% by 2025.

Recently, OCSiAl, one of the largest manufacturers of graphene nanotubes across the world developed four new TUBALL MATRIX products which are specially designed for the production of elastomer materials. These products are known to improve the suitability of TUBALL for their application in the elastomer manufacturing process with advanced conditions that support EPDM, Fluor elastomers, and tire compounds. These newly launched products include TUBALL MATRIX 610 for EPDMs, TUBALL MATRIX 608 for Fluor elastomers, and TUBALL 614 and 615.

TUBALL MATRIX is a naturally conductive single-wall carbon nanotube additive that enhances the physical properties and conductivity of elastomers without conceding other attributes. TUBALL MATRIX have loading rates lower than 0.5% and also helps in reducing the weight of material, provides better color to the material, and eradicates marking. When these products are introduced in the compounding process of elastomers, they form a strengthening and conductive nanotube network within the material.

Michael Jacobsson, the Sales Director at OCSiAl USA said that continuous inventions in elastomers sector is very essential in order to cope with the requirements that existing material formulations can’t support. The newly invented TUBALL MATRIX products are designed in a way that can blend in effortlessly at an extremely low loading rate, during the manufacturing process—and at the same time enhance the conductivity and physical properties of the material.

Besides this, Huntsman, an American multinational producer and marketer of chemical products for consumers and industrial customers recently introduced TPU elastomers for consumer and industrial film and sheet applications. The company has introduced IROGRAN, IROSTIC, and KRYSTALGRAN TPU elastomers for the barrier, adhesive, and surface protection films. Such developments and inventions in the elastomer field are sure to fuel the market growth in the near future.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.