Lecture Notes for Manufacturing of Rubber (Finals)
Ballesteros, Matthew Joseph D.
Basarte, Sean Gabriel M.
Casas, Gleven Stein E.
RUBBER
A versatile, elastic polymer material widely used in various applications due to its
unique physical properties.
It is known for its ability to stretch and return to its original shape, called
Elasticity.
TWO TYPES OF RUBBER
1. Natural Rubber
A stretchy material made from the latex sap of rubber trees, known for its high
elasticity, strength, and durability. It is commonly used in tires, gloves, and elastic
products.
2. Synthetic Rubber
A man-made material created from petroleum-based chemicals, designed to be
more resistant to heat, chemicals, and aging. It is used in products like industrial belts,
seals, and automotive parts.
NATURAL RUBBER PROCESS
1. Tapping Rubber Trees
Farmers carefully cut a spiral groove in the bark of a rubber tree to let the latex
sap drip out. The latex, a milky white liquid, is collected in small cups attached to the
tree. This process is done early in the morning when the latex flows best.
2. Coagulation
An acid like formic acid is added to the latex to make it thicken and solidify into a
jelly-like mass. It helps turn the liquid latex into solid rubber.
3. Rolling and Drying
The solid rubber is then pressed into thin sheets using rollers. These sheets are
washed to remove any impurities and hung up to dry.
4. Packaging and Transport
Once the rubber sheets are dry, they are bundled, packed, and sent to factories for
further processing or directly to markets for sale. These factories turn the raw rubber into
finished products like tires, gloves, or shoes.
SYNTHETIC RUBBER PROCESS
1. Raw Materials
Synthetic rubber is made from chemicals derived from petroleum, like butadiene
and styrene. These chemicals act as the building blocks for creating the rubber material.
2. Polymerization
The raw materials undergo a chemical process called polymerization, where small
molecules (monomers) link together to form long chains of synthetic polymers. For
example, styrene and butadiene are combined to create Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR),
one of the most common synthetic rubbers.
3. Mixing and Compounding
Once the polymer is created, it is mixed with additives to enhance its properties
and make it suitable for specific applications.
4. Shaping and Molding
This process involves transforming raw or compounded rubber into specific
shapes or forms required for its intended application. This step uses machines and molds
to achieve precise designs and dimensions.
5. Vulcanization
The shaped rubber is heated in a process called vulcanization, where sulfur or
other agents create crosslinks between polymer chains. This step gives the rubber its
elasticity, strength, and heat resistance.
6. Finishing and Quality Control
The finished rubber products are trimmed, cleaned, and inspected to ensure they
meet quality standards. They are then packaged and sent to manufacturers for use in
products like tires, hoses, seals, or industrial parts.
