Question

Explain elastomeric polymers and fibres

Answer 1

this might help you to understand the differences between a polymer and an elastomer. polymer is every giant chain molecule composed out of the same monomers, these applies for all the cases above. a duromer is a polymer which is crosslinked and will decompose when heated to a defined temperature. a plastomer is a polymer which will melt on its melting temperature this applies to the materials which are known as plastics. the third case is that of elastomers, they are polymer that at its glass transition temperatures becomes rubbery and if heated further will decompose, a fourth case is that of thermoplastic elastomers TPE. the TPE will become rubbery after reaching its glass transition temperature but instead of decomposing on further heating will melt as a plastic.

the differences between an elastomer and a plastomer which i think is what you wanted to know is simple, the monomers of the plastomer are rigid in nature in consequence the polymer will show a rigid nature, while on the other hand the elastomer is made out of monomers with a very low melting temperature which might suggest very weak interactions between the monomers and in consequence in the elastomer molecule itself. and given the fact that the elastomer molecules are crosslinked they will behave in a rubbery way instead of flowing in a plastic nature