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Name: Brittney
Status: Student
Grade: 9-12
Location: AR
Country: USA
Date: January 2005
Question:
What is the difference in the rubber band if it is made from plain rubber and polymers?


Replies:
There can be many differences. There are many different types of polymers -- rubber is also a polymer -- so there can be many differences. The most obvious difference will be the 'stiffness' of the elastic material. This is a measure of the force required to stretch the material a given (small) length. The yield value -- the amount of elongation that will not return to the initial length after a stress has been applied will also be different. How the materials behave as the temperature is changed will also be different.

Vince Calder


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