Author Question: Using molecular explanations, discuss the differences in mechanical, physical, and chemical ... (Read 77 times)

madam-professor · **on:** Aug 19, 2018

Using molecular explanations, discuss the differences in mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of natural rubber and butadiene.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What is the effect of chlorinating rubber?

What will be an ideal response?

durant1234 · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Natural rubber has a methyl group which interferes with movement restricting the bending, twisting, and sliding motions across the molecules and increases stiffness, gives a higher strength and higher temperature stability. Polybutadiene has poor tensile strength, tear resistance, poor resistance to solvents, and tack because of the lack of the methyl group.

Answer to Question 2

Chloroprene rubber or neoprene has many benefits. It has a chlorine bonded to one of the carbons in the carbon-carbon double bond. The effect of the chlorine is to improve oil resistance. Since the chlorine is a larger molecule it will cause intermolecular interference and greater strength and stiffness than polybutadiene, polyisoprene, and natural rubber. The chlorine also gives the material greater thermal stability and also makes it nonflammable.