Abstract

Polysulfide elastomers were the first synthetic rubbers made in the United States. They are prepared from simple low cost starting materials and the thiol end group provides a variety of chemical approaches to curing. The most common method is through oxidative coupling. Polysulfides can also be cured with diisocyanates or epoxies. They are commonly used as a flexibilizer and reactive diluent in epoxy formulations. Their unusually good resistance to solvents and to the environment and good low temperature properties have made them particularly useful in sealant applications. They are the standard sealant for virtually all aircraft integral fuel tanks and bodies. Polysulfides are the worldwide market leader in insulating glass sealants and have been used since the 1950s as construction sealants. Polysulfide elastomers' broad spectrum of chemical and solvent resistance and other unique properties make them useful in a variety of specialty rubber applications.