polyisoprene
(pɒlɪˈaɪsəʊpriːn)
[f. poly- + isoprene.]
Any of the polymers of isoprene, which include the major constituent of natural rubber and some synthetic rubbers very similar to it.
| 1935 [see polybutadiene s.v. poly- 2]. 1946 F. Marchionna Butalastic Polymers xvi. 483 The sodium butadiene rubber can be admixed with 50 per cent of a polyisoprene or purified natural rubber. 1959 Economist 21 Mar. 1101/1 Shell Chemical Corporation has announced that it will shortly begin commercial production of polyisoprene. 1963 H. R. Clauser Encycl. Engin. Materials 580/1 New ‘synthetic natural rubber’, cis⁓polyisoprene is said to have performance characteristics virtually identical with those of natural rubber. 1975 Sci. Amer. Dec. 101/1 Polymers that exhibit rubbery behaviour at room temperature include polyisoprene (natural rubber) and polybutadiene (a synthetic rubber). |