Rubber: An Introduction
Natural rubber, also called rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, caucho, or caoutchouc, as initially produced, consists of polymers of the compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. Rubber particles are formed within the cytoplasm of specialized latex-producing cells called laticifers within rubber plants. Rubber particles are surrounded by one phospholipid membrane with hydrophobic tails pointed inward. The membrane permits biosynthetic proteins to be abstracted at the surface of the growing rubber particle, which permits new monomeric units to be added from outside the bio membrane, but within the laticifer. Natural rubber represents about 40% of the world’s total rubber consumption.
What is Natural Rubber?
Natural rubber could even be a natural polymer of organic compound isoprene obtained from the bark of tropical and subtropical trees. The milky white fluid which is obtained from trees is understood as latex. This is often the reason natural rubber is also known as latex.
Currently, rubber is obtained mainly in the form of latex from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) or others. The latex could even be a sticky, milky and white colloid drawn off by making incisions within the bark and collecting the fluid in vessels during a process called "tapping". Then the latex is refined into the rubber that's ready for commercial processing.
Uses of Rubber
Natural rubber is employed extensively in many applications and products, either alone or together with other materials. In most of its useful forms, it's a large stretch ratio and high resilience and also is water-proof. Some uses of rubber are as follows;
Natural rubber could even be a good water repellent.
Natural rubber could even be a great material for springs.
It is the only raw material utilized by the car industry, aside from rayon.
Maximum Consumption of Natural Rubber
Maximum consumption of natural rubber is made of subsequent things –
Tyre Making: within the fashionable world, petroleum-operated high-speed vehicles are quite common. All of those high-speed vehicles mandatorily have rubber tyres for better friction grip with the bottom. Because of the enormous production of cars, the assembly rate of tires is additionally enormous.
Eraser Making: Another common usage of natural rubber is the processing of erasers which is one of the most common office supplies.
Chewing Gum: Some chewing gums are made out of some special quite natural rubber that can retain synthetic flavours and is safe for chewing.
Industrial Equipment: Industrial equipment like pulley belts, conveyor belts, and differing types of padding or cushioning also are made from natural rubber.
Rubber Applications
Rubber products are utilized in several industrial applications. The rubber products industry is taken into account as an important resource-based industry sector. The rubber industry globally has witnessed light and strong growth. Once we discuss the rubber industry, it means an industry manufacturing rubber and an honest range of rubber products ranging from doormats to rubber bands to industrial rubber products. There are certain unique qualities of rubber that make it an important product that finds use in diverse fields such as transportation, material handling, health care, and sports and leisure activities. The rubber industry services a selection of downstream industries including manufacturing, construction, and agriculture, due to the diversity of rubber products manufactured,
Why Rubber is Important?
One of the most important polymers for human society is natural rubber. Natural rubber is a raw material used in the production of many products. It's utilized in medical devices, surgical gloves, aircraft and car tires, pacifiers, clothes, toys, etc. Rubber is typically easily moulded in various shapes and sizes. Rubber is employed to manufacture gardening tools, pipes, and hoses. Most of the produce is employed in manufacturing tyres for different vehicles. Rubber could also be a superb insulator. Rubber is extremely elastic.
Rubber Product List
A list of rubber products is given below:
Adhesive tapes
Balloons
Breathing bags
Erasers
Flippers
Floor coverings and mats
Golfs balls
Gym balls
Hot water bottles
Rubber bands
Rubber gloves
Swimming caps
Tubes, pipes and hoses
Toys
Tires
Footwear
Interesting Facts
Natural rubber is obtained from the sap of the Hevea Brasiliensis tree.
The tensile strength of natural rubber is about 20 MPa.
Key Features of Rubber
Characteristics of natural rubber are high tear, tensile strength, resistance to abrasion, friction, and extreme temperature.
Rubber moulded products are widely used industrially in the form of rubber goods and appliances.
The vulcanization process makes the rubber strong, durable, and black rubber.
FAQs on Maximum Consumption of Rubber is Formed of: A Detailed Summary
1. What exactly is rubber in chemistry?
In chemistry, rubber refers to a type of polymer known as an elastomer. Natural rubber is a polymer of the organic compound isoprene, with the chemical name cis-1,4-polyisoprene. Its key feature is its elasticity, which allows it to be stretched and then return to its original shape.
2. What are the main types of rubber used today?
Rubber is broadly classified into two main categories:
- Natural Rubber: This is obtained from the milky white liquid, called latex, which is tapped from the bark of the rubber tree.
- Synthetic Rubber: This is artificially produced in factories from petroleum-based chemicals. Examples include Neoprene, Buna-S, and Buna-N, each designed with specific properties.
3. Which industry is the largest consumer of rubber?
The automotive industry is the largest consumer of rubber worldwide. The vast majority of rubber is used to manufacture tyres and tubes for cars, trucks, and aeroplanes. It is also used for other parts like belts, hoses, and seals.
4. What are the basic properties of raw natural rubber?
Raw natural rubber has high tensile strength and is very elastic. However, it has several limitations: it becomes soft and sticky at high temperatures (above 335 K) and brittle at low temperatures (below 283 K). It also absorbs a large amount of water and is not resistant to oils or chemicals.
5. Why is natural rubber usually vulcanized before being used in products?
Natural rubber is too soft and weak for most commercial applications. The process of vulcanization, which involves heating rubber with sulphur, is performed to improve its properties. This process creates strong cross-links between the polymer chains, making the rubber much harder, more elastic, and more resistant to temperature changes and abrasion.
6. What is the key difference in structure between natural and synthetic rubber?
The main difference is their chemical origin and structure. Natural rubber is made of a single monomer, cis-isoprene, sourced from trees. Synthetic rubbers are man-made using various monomers derived from petroleum. This allows scientists to create different types of synthetic rubber with specific properties, such as superior resistance to oil, heat, or oxidation, which natural rubber lacks.
7. Why are tyres, the biggest use of rubber, almost always black?
Tyres are black because a substance called carbon black is added during the manufacturing process. While it acts as a pigment, its primary purpose is to enhance the tyre's properties. Carbon black significantly increases the strength, durability, and heat resistance of the rubber, making tyres safer and longer-lasting.
8. How is solid rubber obtained from the liquid latex of a rubber tree?
The process of turning liquid latex into solid rubber is called coagulation. Latex is a stable suspension of rubber particles in water. To make them solidify, a weak acid, like formic acid or acetic acid, is added. This causes the negatively charged rubber particles to clump together, forming a solid, spongy mass that can then be pressed, dried, and processed.
