Elastomers: Types, Manufacturing, and How to Ship Elastomer Chemicals

Elastomers are polymers with elastic properties, they can be stretched to many times their original length and snap back to their original shape when released. Think rubber bands, tires, gaskets, hoses, and seals. The chemicals used to manufacture elastomers, monomers, curing agents, accelerators, and processing oils, ship in liquid bulk by tanker truck from chemical producers to rubber and elastomer manufacturers.

For shipper-led capacity and hazmat-fluent execution on this freight, see Total Connection's liquid bulk and chemical logistics service.

What elastomers are

Elastomers are cross-linked polymers where the molecular chains are connected by chemical bonds that allow them to deform under stress and recover when the stress is removed. Natural rubber was the original elastomer. Today, the majority of elastomers are synthetic, engineered polymers designed for specific performance characteristics.

Major types of elastomers

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), the most widely produced synthetic rubber. Used in tires, conveyor belts, footwear, and adhesives. The monomers (styrene and butadiene) are hazardous materials, butadiene is a flammable gas and styrene is a flammable liquid.

Nitrile rubber (NBR), resistant to oils, fuels, and chemicals. Used in fuel hoses, gaskets, O-rings, and oil seals. Manufactured from acrylonitrile and butadiene, both hazardous materials.

EPDM rubber, excellent weather, ozone, and UV resistance. Used in roofing membranes, automotive weatherstripping, and outdoor seals.

Silicone elastomers, extreme temperature resistance from -75°F to 500°F. Used in medical devices, food processing, aerospace, and electronics. Silicone precursors ship as specialty chemicals with strict purity requirements.

Polyurethane elastomers, exceptional abrasion resistance and load-bearing capacity. Used in mining equipment, industrial rollers, and high-wear applications. Polyurethane components (polyols and isocyanates) ship in liquid bulk with isocyanates classified as DOT Class 6.1 toxic.

Chemicals that go into elastomer manufacturing

Elastomer manufacturing consumes a range of liquid bulk chemicals including monomers (the building blocks that polymerize into rubber), curing agents and vulcanization chemicals (sulfur compounds and peroxides that create cross-links), accelerators (chemicals that speed up the curing process), processing oils (plasticizers that improve processing and final product properties), and antioxidants and stabilizers (chemicals that prevent degradation during manufacturing and service life).

Shipping elastomer chemicals

Many elastomer raw materials are hazardous. Butadiene is a flammable gas. Styrene, acrylonitrile, and many solvents are flammable liquids. Isocyanates are toxic. Peroxide curing agents are oxidizers. Each product requires appropriate carrier certification, tanker equipment, documentation, and handling.

Equipment matching is critical, elastomer chemicals span a range of tank requirements from standard stainless steel to specialized pressure vessels for gaseous monomers. Temperature control may be necessary for products that polymerize prematurely at elevated temperatures or solidify at low temperatures.

Product purity requirements are stringent. Elastomer manufacturing processes are sensitive to trace contaminants that can affect polymerization kinetics, cure rates, and final product properties. Tank wash verification is essential.

How Total Connection ships elastomer chemicals

We handle the full range of elastomer manufacturing chemicals, monomers, curing agents, processing oils, and additives. Our carrier network includes operators with the equipment, hazmat certifications, and purity standards that elastomer manufacturers require.

Call 732-817-0401 or request a quote for your elastomer chemical logistics.