Rubber is a very versatile material that is widely used in mechanical design.
**Features**
Rubber, also known as elastomer, is a general term for materials that exhibit significant elasticity at room temperature. When a force is applied to the material, it deforms slightly, and when the force is removed, it returns to its original shape. This is elasticity. The range of elasticity is about 1-2% for metals and around 10% for plastics compared to the original length of the material, but rubber can reach several hundred percent. When a force beyond the elastic range is applied, the material undergoes plastic deformation and eventually breaks. The elasticity of rubber is due to the long, linear, soft, and coiled nature of rubber molecules. When a force is applied, the coiled molecules are stretched. If more force is applied, the molecules shift relative to each other, and they can no longer return to their original length even after the force is removed. This is plastic deformation. To prevent the molecules from shifting too much, they are slightly bonded together. This process is called vulcanization or cross-linking. Cross-linking is performed using vulcanizing agents and cross-linking agents, as explained in the section on 4-4 rubber chemicals. If cross-linking is excessive, the material becomes similar to thermosetting plastics, resulting in a hard, plastic-like material.
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