Elasticity, rubber elastic behavior under small

Under small deformations rubbers are linearly elastic solids. Because of high modulus of bulk compression (about 2000 MN/m ) compared with the shear modulus G (about 0.2-5 MN/m ), they may be regarded as relatively incompressible. The elastic behavior under small strains can thus be described by a single elastic constant G. Poisson s ratio is effectively 1/2, and Young s modulus E is given by 3G, to good approximation. 

Elastomers are polymeric substances with rubber-like behavior at ambient temperatures. This means they are more or less elastic, extensible, and flexible. They can be exfended by relafively small force and return to the original length (or near it) after the force is removed. Rubber-like behavior can be observed in plastics, but under different conditions, such as at elevated temperatures or in swollen state. These are not true elastomers, however. 

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