Rubber is a collective term for various polymers. These are polymers that are given elastic properties through processing (vulcanization). At the same time, they are characterized by high thermal stability.
Rubbers have a solid form under service conditions. However, they can also return to their original state to a high degree after severe deformation. Originally, rubber was exclusively understood to be natural rubber (gum elasticum), which is obtained from the milky sap of plants.
However, the majority of rubber used today is synthetic rubber. Known synthetic rubbers are: