4. Monographs

Except in special cases, the monographs follow the same general plan. After a brief introduction, the monographs are examined in turn:

• preparation ;

• general properties, advantages and disadvantages ;

• elasticity: this is particularly important for the majority of applications which aim to replace vulcanized elastomers, and therefore require good resistance to creep, a good capacity to maintain high levels of reaction forces, and to return to dimensions close to the original after any stress has been removed. Elasticity should not be confused with flexibility, which simply expresses the material's ease of deformation, without indicating its elasticity;

• physical and mechanical properties, thermomechanical behaviour, resistance to low temperatures...