Rubber is a widely known material that is used in almost all areas of human life. Medicine, agriculture, industry can not do without this polymer. Many manufacturing processes also use rubber. What this material is made of and what its features are described in the article.
What is rubber
Rubber is a polymer with high elasticity. Its structure is represented by randomly arranged carbon chains bonded by sulfur atoms.
In the normal state, carbon chains are twisted. If the rubber is stretched, the carbon chains will unwind. The ability to stretch and quickly return to its previous shape has made materials such as rubber indispensable in many areas.
What are they made of? Typically, rubber is obtained by mixing rubber with a vulcanizing agent. After heating to the desired temperature, the mixture thickens.
The difference between rubber and rubber
Rubber and rubber are high molecular weight polymers obtained by natural or synthetic methods. These materials are distinguished by physicochemical properties and production methods. Natural rubber is a substance made from the juice of tropical trees - latex. It flows from the bark when it is damaged. Synthetic rubber is obtained by polymerization of styrene, neoprene, butadiene, isobutylene, chloroprene, acrylic acid nitrile . During vulcanization of artificial rubber, rubber is formed.
What are the different types of rubbers made of? For certain types of synthetic materials, organic substances are used that make it possible to obtain a material identical to natural rubber.
Rubber properties
Rubber is a universal material that has the following properties:
- High elasticity - the ability to large reverse deformations in a wide temperature range.
- Elasticity and stability of forms at small deformations.
- Amorphous - easily deforms with slight pressure.
- Relative softness.
- Poorly absorbs water.
- Strength and wear resistance.
- Depending on the type of rubber, rubber can be characterized by water-, oil-, benz-, heat resistance and resistance to chemicals, ionizing and light radiation.
Rubber over time loses its properties and loses its shape, which is manifested by destruction and a decrease in strength. The service life of rubber products depends on the conditions of use and can range from several days to several years. Even with prolonged storage, the rubber ages and becomes unusable.
Rubber production
Rubber is made by vulcanization of rubber with the addition of mixtures. Typically, 20-60% of the processed mass is rubber. Other components of the rubber compound are fillers, vulcanizing agents, accelerators, plasticizers, antioxidants. Dyes, fragrances, modifiers, flame retardants and other components can also be added to the composition of the mass. The set of components is determined by the required properties, operating conditions, technology for using the finished rubber product and economic calculations. In this way, high-quality rubber is created.
What are rubber semi-finished products made of? For this purpose, the technology used for mixing rubber with other components in special mixers or rollers designed for the manufacture of semi-finished products, followed by cutting and cutting. The production cycle uses presses, autoclaves, drum and tunnel vulcanizers. The rubber compound is given high ductility, due to which the future product takes on the necessary shape.
Rubber Products
Today, rubber is used in sports, medicine, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. The total number of products made from rubber exceeds more than 60 thousand varieties. The most popular of them are gaskets, shock absorbers, tubes, gaskets, sealants, rubberized coatings, and facing materials.
Rubber products are massively used in production processes. This material is also indispensable in the production of gloves, shoes, belts, waterproof fabrics, transport tapes.
Most of the rubber produced is used to make tires.
Rubber in tire manufacturing
Rubber is the main material in the production of car tires. This process begins with the preparation of a rubber mixture of natural and synthetic rubber. Then, silica, soot and other chemical components are added to the rubber mass. After thorough mixing, the mixture is sent via a conveyor belt to the furnace. The output is rubber bands of a certain length.
The next step is the rubberizing of the cord. Textile and metal cord is poured with a hot rubber mass. In this way, the inner, textile and breaker layer of the tire is made.
What are tires made of tires of? All car tire manufacturers use different formulations and rubber technologies. To give the finished product strength and reliability, various plasticizers and reinforcing fillers can be added.
For the production of tires using natural rubber. Its addition to the rubber compound reduces the heating of the tire. Most of the rubber is synthetic rubber. This component gives the tires resilience and ability to withstand heavy loads.