Production

Rubber Production

Rubber is a flexible substance produced from the sap of some tropical plants (latex) or from petroleum and natural gas. The one produced from the sap of trees is called natural rubber, and the one produced from petroleum products is called synthetic rubber. Both types are versatile substances. Items made of rubber are often referred to as tyres. The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), whose homeland is South America, grows mostly in Brazil, Ceylon, Mexico, Java Island, Central and East Africa. For hundreds of years, natural rubber has been obtained by making scratches on the rubber tree, collecting the sap flowing in the form of milk, leaving this water to dry and hardening, and then using it with various treatments. During the 20th century, advances in chemistry allowed the artificial version to be made using rubber in oil. Two-thirds of the 18 million tons of rubber produced each year is synthetic.

Natural rubber contains 3% protein and 97% cis-1,4-polyisoprene by mass. Raw rubber is called latex. It is used in the production of belt corsets, rubber socks (varicose compression stockings) by mixing with cotton or viscose. Rubber can be made into a flexible substance to make clothes, hoses and tires. The absorbent properties of rubber make it a useful substance in automobile suspension. Rubber also dampens the vibrations of industrial materials. In addition, rubber is also used in waterproofing finishing. Because rubber is water resistant, it is used in diving suits, raincoats and medical tubing. Rubber is a good electrical insulator and is often used to coat electrical wires. Rubber can be turned into foam, made up of millions of air bubbles. This foam can be molded to produce many lightweight products such as sponges and pillows.

Rubber Production

Rubber Production

Rubber is a flexible substance produced from the sap of some tropical plants (latex) or from petroleum and natural gas. The one produced from the sap of trees is called natural rubber, and the one produced from petroleum products is called synthetic rubber. Both types are versatile substances. Items made of rubber are often referred to as tyres. The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), whose homeland is South America, grows mostly in Brazil, Ceylon, Mexico, Java Island, Central and East Africa. For hundreds of years, natural rubber has been obtained by making scratches on the rubber tree, collecting the sap flowing in the form of milk, leaving this water to dry and hardening, and then using it with various treatments. During the 20th century, advances in chemistry allowed the artificial version to be made using rubber in oil. Two-thirds of the 18 million tons of rubber produced each year is synthetic.