Brief history of rubber

In the rubber industry there is just two types of basic rubber used: natural and synthetic. The study of rubber was created by Charles de la Condamine in 1735. Charles de la Condamine discovered the invention of rubber. Synthetic rubber known as (SR), and Natural rubber known as (NR). Different types of synthetic rubber polymers are used to produce a wide variety of rubber products. Natural rubber is mainly produced in Southeast Asia, whereas synthetic rubber is mainly produced in industrialized countries like the United States, Japan, Western Europe and Eastern Europe. The synthetic rubber industry comes from Brazil which is the only developing country that provides significant synthetic rubber.

The word rubber was invented by an English chemist in 1770 who was called Joseph Priestly. He discovered this as he notices that rubber can act as a rubber and rub off pencil stains with a rubber. Joseph Priestly also discovered more to the growth of rubber and the uses of natural rubber. Which were the resistance to heat, light, natural light (sun), fire, weather resistance (cold weather) and oil.     

Natural Rubber is a solid product which contains latex produced by certain plants, particularly the Brazilian rubber tree. Rubber was originally originated from Latin America. In 1876 an American (Charles Goodyear), started the process of vulcanization.

Rubber is mainly produced from the latex rubber tree. Latex comes from the milky sap of rubber tree. Latex originally comes from Brazil but now mainly the latex trees are planted in Malaysia. The life span of rubber trees are 25-30 years. After the life span of the latex rubber trees the extraction of latex takes place. The latex extraction of the trunk is mostly used for home furniture and fiber board.

Annually an average rubber tree produces 19 pounds yields of rubber latex, normally the trees are 6 years old before the tapping for the rubber begins this cycle runs through until they are 28 years old.

Rubber and latex are not the same element as many people believe they are the same, as both latex and rubber are from the milky white sap of rubber trees this is why it is believed to be the same, to be known as natural rubber.  

Natural rubber latex is 100% natural as is comes from the white sap which comes from the hevea brasiliensis tree. The hevea brasiliensis tree originated from Brazil where the source of rubber latex is produced the cycle of latex is produced for many years.

Natural rubber also known as India rubber or caoutchouc. Consist of polymers and are combined with organic compounds.

Malaysia known as one of the leading rubber industry, polyisoprene used as natural rubbers are classified as elastomers. Natural rubber is used broadly. Natural rubber can be used in many different ways it can be used alone and used with other materials.

As natural rubber contains vulcanized rubber this enables the vulcanized rubber to produce rubber products. 

There are many products made from natural rubber. You can find them in everyday life use mainly used as a human use. Natural rubber products such as tires, products are essential to modern life. There are a variety of objects that are made and formed by rubber for example in transportation, automobile tires, at home suppliances, clothes etc.

Rubber is a natural source which is used worldwide plays a great role in the manufacturing of the different range of rubber products which is used in many countries around the world.

Natural rubber has a superb high strength and a superb resistance it is more environmental friendly than the other natural resources the environmental harm is less by heat. Differing to the fact to its resistance to being cut and molded to different shapes and sizes.    

1. Natural rubber is used for various purposes this includes medical to environmental everyday uses. Such as rubber tires, automobiles, machinery, adhesives, condoms, gloves, balloons, threads, medical tubes, elastic threads, catheters and many more.  
2. 75% of rubber is used in rubber tires. The rubber is mainly used for the wheels of vehicles, the wheel consists of cords of nylon, fiberglass which are all compressed air. A rubber tire implements a lot of friction this shows high friction pleasure as it is used for larger vehicles such as agricultural industrial and machineries such as trucks, bulldozers and etc.       
3. Rubber ceramic liners can be molded into many shapes and sizes, rubber ceramic liners has a high abrasion. The ceramic shapes include cubes, cylinders and balls. The procedure of rubber ceramic liners are that the ceramic is bonded into rubber so it’s not displaced. As the rubber maintains and absorbs the appliance of the ceramic form.
4. Mining comes from the extraction of minerals, most substances that are retrieved from earth are recovered from mining. The process of mining starts from the digging, then it is extracted, then exported. There are many elements that mining produces for example salt which is used for food. The mining industry plays a great role in the society as you can find many substances from mining. For example iron, gold, silver, diamonds, coal, gravel, phosphate, stones and many more. The purposes of these are that these products are used for the following:

• Phosphate is used for fertilizers
• Stones for construction    
• Gold, silver and diamonds for jewelry
• Coal for fuel
• Iron for steel
• Gravel for highway construction

Vulcanized rubber which is harder, less elastic, and more durable is used for various purposes such as vehicle tires, elevator belts, building construction, latex goods, adhesives, surgical gloves, threads, footwear, molded foams, hose pipes and even artificial hearts to waterproof gaskets. Vulcanized rubber is used for many other purposes, this is both Natural rubber and synthetic rubber.   

Vulcanization is known as the chemical process of transforming natural rubber into durable materials. The natural rubber relates back to polymers. The vulcanized process is completed by heat. Heating them with sulfur modifies the polymer. 

Vulcanization was invented by Charles Goodyear, Charles Goodyear was born on the 29^th of December1800. An American chemist and manufacturing engineer whom started experimenting with natural rubber and discovered vulcanization. This process took 5years in completion he established his own company of rubber manufacturing. His main achievements in rubber were footwear and tires which he established the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company which is named after him.     

Synthetic rubber come from artificial elastomer. Elastomer is a polymer that contains a lot of elasticity. These polymers are primarily synthesized from petroleum. Elastomers are thermosets or thermoplastic elastomer. Polymer or artificial polymer play a great role in the manufacturing process.

Crude oil is another material used in synthetic rubber, there is roughly around 20 types of synthetic rubber, with different grades and different functions of their own.

As it has more elastic- ability it is more stretchable without any deformation. With more flexibility it can transform back to its own size and shape.depending on the chemicals it can be as hard as metal and soft as cotton wool. Chemicals are added to synthetic rubber as the rubber produced are used to make rubber products,synthic rubber also plays a substitute to Natural  rubber.      

The difference between synthetic rubber and natural rubber is that natural rubber is the original rubber that is used by man and is formed naturally whereas synthetic rubber is not formed naturally and it is artificial and manmade.

It was the invention of Hofmann for methyl rubber. Albert Hofmann was a Swiss born scientist born on the 11^th January 1906-29^th April 2008. Albert Hofmann was the first to synthesize and isolate and name the principle psychedelic mushroom compounds psilocybin. 

The different types of synthetic rubber:

• Acrylic Rubber is a type of synthetic rubber that contains acrylonitrile. This rubber has a very high resistance to hot oil and oxidation, with suitability to temperature up to 150 degrees Celsius. The disadvantages of this type of rubber is the low resistance to water or moisture and acids. This rubber is mostly used in hoses and automotive transmission.

The Properties of Acrylic Rubber, acrylic rubber has excellent resistance to temperatures, abrasion and temperature resistance. With good flexibility it has poor resistance to acids, moisture and bases. Another good factor that acrylic rubber has it is the tear resistance and strength it has.

• Butadiene rubber is known as the most elastic rubber and the largest volume synthetic rubber produced. It is mainly used in tires. Butadiene rubber is usually combined with other rubbers such as polystyrene and polybutadiene.

The Properties of Butadiene Rubber is the high elasticity that it maintains, well with temperatures, high abrasion, low temperature properties and low rolling resistance.  

• Chlorosulfonated polyethylene is known for its excellent resistance to chemicals and used in automotive applications that require high performance. The products that are made from Chlorosulfonated polyethylene are products such as rubber linings, hoses, gaskets and valve seals. Chlorosulfonated polyethylene also has extreme use in weather conditions.

Properties of Hypalon or Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSM), known as CSM with good abrasion resistance, superb resistance to chemicals, water and oxygen. CSM has poor resistance to fuel and compression set, but good resistance to weather and temperatures.   

• Fluroelastomer is used and made for high temperatures has an excellent level of resistance to heat, oil and chemicals.

Properties of Fluoroelastomers (FKM), is known for its excellent resistance to oil, chemicals, fuels and acids. FKM has limited resistance to hot temperatures and fluids. The polymers consists of fluid acids which have a resistance profile than standard fluoroelastomers.      

         Isoprene Rubber is an artificial rubber but similar to natural rubber, as it is weaker it is used in the same products that is used for natural rubber.

The Properties of Isoprene Rubber is that it doesn’t consist of protein and fatty acids that consists in natural rubber. It has the same chemical structure as natural rubber, isoprene rubber has great velocity in molding, mixing, and extrusion with the same chemical structure like natural rubber. 

·         Silicone Rubber is made from silicone which provides excellent balance of mechanical and chemical reactions. Silicone rubber is mainly polymer or synthetic rubber. Silicone rubber has a high and low temperature stability.

Properties of Silicone Rubber. Silicone rubber has many properties one of the main properties of silicone rubber is that it has an excellent resistance to heat and cold temperatures, chemical stability, with outstanding oil resistance this makes silicon rubber superior to all other rubbers. With high elasticity silicone rubber can oppose temperatures such as 200 degrees Celsius as it doesn’t cause any changes in the properties of silicon rubber. With outstanding resistance to both cold and hot temperatures silicone rubber can be exposed to rain, UV rays and wind with longer duration rates it does not effects its properties or any physical change.

Silicon rubber has high strength this gives essential tear strength and high thermal conductivity this enables the rubber ti produce products such as thermal sheets and heating rollers. Silicone rubbers glows in the dark and it is metal detectable. With good resistance to chemical, gas and acids. Silicone rubber has a low property of smoke emission and it is flame retardant.  Silicon rubber also conducts electricity a well as its other properties that it has. With its electrical properties it doesn’t affect the mechanical strength it has due its water resistance and its good resistance to steam and moisture.  

• Polychloroprene Rubber/Neoprene is mainly used in raw materials for adhesives which can be water based and solvent. It can be molded into goods such as transmissions belts, this is one of the important types of synthetic rubber. Polychloroprene rubber is mostly used in engineering applications.  

Neoprene Rubber Properties / Properties of Polychloroprene, this rubber has a unique number of properties among the other synthetic rubbers. With high weather resistance and mechanical strength it has low flammability. Neoprene rubber doesn’t age as it has excellent aging resistance. With good chemical, fuel and oil resistance it can be used with a combination of mineral oils, dilute acids and greases.   

 

·         Nitrile Rubber has a high resistance to fuels and oils, it is consmed in many different grades by manufacturers and suppliers. The higher the grade, the higher the oil resistance but meanwhile the low temperature flexibility will decrease.  

Nitrile Synthetic Rubber Properties, Nitrile rubber has high wear resistance, with limited strength to weather conditions and oil resistance, as the physical strength and chemical properties depends on the polymers composition of acrylonitrile. Nitrile rubber also has good resistance to chemicals and fuels, it is available in different grades of rubber as it can be used down to 30 degrees Celsius but some of the grades can be used at lower temperatures. This makes Nitrile rubber limited to weathering resistance. With good flexibility it has good moderate strength.

• Butyl Rubber is known for its flexibility and its excellent durability in air retention. Butyl has good resistance to temperature and chemical resistance. This rubber must be compounded and vulcanized.

Properties of Butyl Rubber, butyl rubber has good flexibility and good vibration damper. With good chemical, weathering and heat resistance. Whereas it has low glass transition temperature.

·         Ethylene Propylene Rubber is designed for many purposes as it is the most water resistant rubber, with more durability it has a variety of functions. Ethylene rubber is ab elastomer. The manufacturing sheeting of this rubber is used at high temperatures.  

Properties of EPDM Rubber, stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer. It is the most synthetic rubber with good aging and weather resistance. With good resistance to water base chemicals, good electrical resistivity and superb resistance to abrasives and tear.   

• Chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, has high resistance to temperatures and chemicals, it is use in a wide range of industrial and automotive applications.

 

Properties of Hypalon or Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSM), CSM rubber has excellent resistance to water, oxygen and most chemicals. It has resistance to weather and abrasion. But poor resistance in compression sets and poor fuel resistance.  

 

• Perfluoroelastomer Rubber, it can be used weather conditions up to 300 degrees Celsius, one of the disadvantages of perfluoroelastomer is that it is a high cost rubber.    

Properties of Perfluoroelastomers, perfluoroelastomers has high resistance to heat and chemicals. In chemical and plasma deposition this rubber can withstand long term exposure. Perfluoroelastomer can withstand virtually and reactive plasma at high temperatures.   

The Hazards of rubber and the Precautions 

During the process of rubber there are some hazards these include processing aids, solvents, the exposure to hot surfaces, noise and curing fumes. There are a variety of hazards, these hazards include cutting, printing ink solvents, punching, surface treatment washes and grinding.   

Vulcanization generates heat it does not transfer inefficiently from outside to inside. The industry of rubber and rubber manufacturers are seeking to find safer substitutes for volatile organic solvents, lead, dusting agents to prevent the properties and usage in order to improve the compounds and make it safer.

An essential product to society it is important that all hazard and precautions are dealt as it is use for everyday use and procedures. As rubber is used at work, at home whilst traveling and at playgrounds. As rubber is used for variety of purposes, such as trains, aircraft, automobiles and various other purposes.    

Natural rubber is used in other products and applications, rubber is used either with a variety and combination of rubber or it is used alone. The main benefits that rubber has is that it is extremely waterproof and it has a large stretch ratio.    

Rubber compounds

A rubber compound is an aggregate of different ingredients, these include a numerous of different ingredients and compounds. Polymer is the main ingredient in rubber compounds. These polymers are materials in which most of them are artificial which are formed by chemical units

The word polymer comes from Greek as (Poly) means many in the Greek language and (Mer) meaning unit.   

Polymers are used in everyday life, polymers are substances which are bonded together, and polymers are large molecules which are the substructure for physical, chemical and molding properties and chemical properties.          

Fillers are commonly used in rubber compounds, this is where the black colour of rubber comes from, and fillers provide physical strength to the rubber compounds.    

The most common polymers that are found in everyday life are thermoplastic polyurethanes, Teflon, polystyrene, nylon, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride, high and low density polyethylene.