What is Synthetic Rubber
Synthetic rubber is a man-made rubber which is produced in manufacturing plants by synthesizing it from petroleum and other minerals. Synthetic rubber is basically a polymer or an artificial polymer. It has the property of undergoing elastic stretchability or deformation under stress but can also return to its previous size without permanent deformation.
Rubber Types- The Types of Rubber
Rubber is a broad term used to refer to many types of different polymers, simply called the types of rubber that are all elastomers. Being elastomers mean they can be stretched out and will return to their original shape let gone. Natural rubber is the original and the first kind of rubber to be used by man- it is still used in different forms. Other than natural rubber, all the other types of rubber are synthetic or manmade. Some of the examples of such rubber types include Polychloroprene (generally sold by the trade name Neoprene); Polybutadiene; Poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene) rubber or SBS rubber; Polyisobutylene; Silicone among others. All these kinds of rubber made of synthetic polymers have been discussed in detail later in this article.
What is Synthetic Rubber?
Rubber in its native form is basically useless. It is only when certain chemicals are added, the rubber thus produced is used to make varied rubber products. Synthetic rubber is used as a substitute for natural rubber in many cases. Depending on the chemicals added and the properties associated with it, the synthetic rubber can be as hard as a bowling ball or as resilient as a rubber band or as soft as a sponge. When improved material properties are required, synthetic rubber is considered. Approximately 70% of all rubber used today are one from many synthetic rubber varieties.
What are the Chemical Types in Synthetic Rubber?
Synthetic rubber is artificially made from petrochemical feedstocks. Crude oil is the principal raw material for different types of rubber in synthetic category. As opposed to natural rubber where there is only one chemical type, there are approximately 20 different chemical types of synthetic rubber, and within all of the types of rubber, there are different grades. The different types of rubber, especially the synthetic rubber types have their own individual properties and advantages. The industry chooses the rubber types which most clearly meet the demands of an intended use.
Types of Synthetic Rubber
There are numerous types of synthetic rubber being used across several industries, some of which are discussed below.
1. Polychloroprene Rubber
Also known as neoprene, this type of synthetic rubber is being used in over 15 industries since several decades. Having been developed as the original specialty elastomer, it stands today as one of the most important synthetic rubber types boasting a yearly consumption of around 300,000 tons globally. Given its supreme production quality, the rubber maintains an ideal balance of mechanical strength and oil and chemical resistance. Other properties of neoprene include weather and aging resistance, low flammability and the unique capability of bonding with other substrates.
Owing to its significant properties, neoprene plays a critical role in several industries as a raw material in both its original form and with other solvents. It is also used to produce gloves, cables and conveyor belts.
2. EPDM Rubber
Chemically named as Ethylene propylene diene monomer, EPDM is also one of the most popular forms of synthetic rubber. It is a highly durable form of elastomers having extensive applications. Similar to neoprene, EPDM is also highly resistant to heat, weather and ozone aging while also being flexible at both low and high temperatures. An exclusive feature of the ethylene rubber is its resistance to liquids like water and acids.
As this rubber is considered the most water repellent amongst all types, it is deemed most appropriate for electrical filling and lamination while also being largely used in the automotive industry and construction plants.
3. Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
Styrene butadiene rubber was originally developed in Germany in the early 1900s with its use growing increasing popular during World War II due to natural rubber becoming unavailable. Since then, SBR has become the most commonly used synthetic rubber due to its processability, good abrasion, and good aging resistance. Compared to natural rubber, its heat, oil and abrasion resistance is significantly better.
Styrene butadiene rubber can be polymerized in different ways, which changes its consistency and allows for many applications. SBR is most commonly used in vehicle tires; however, it has numerous uses including industrial hoses, conveyor belts, footwear, adhesives, gaskets, and molded or extruded rubber goods. It can also be used in building applications for sealing and binding.
What Led to the Development of Synthetic Rubber?
During the World War II, the United States was cut off from almost all of its sources of natural rubber in the Pacific. In order to meet the country's needs for this important material, the government built synthetic rubber plants and the manufacturing industries operated them. Synthetic rubber production increased from 8,000 tons in 1941 to 820,000 tons in 1945. After the World War II, the government sold these synthetic rubber plants to the industries. After that there is no looking back. There are different types of synthetic rubber having different properties and manufacturers and suppliers are producing different range of rubber products which are used for commercial and industrial purpose.
How is Synthetic Rubber Produced?
Petrochemical feedstocks are the main raw material for producing synthetic rubber types. Crude oil is the principal raw material. Two types of gases too contribute in the production of general types of rubbers in the category of synthetic rubber. These are butadien used for making Butadiene Rubber and styrene used for making Styrene Butadiene Rubber. Butadiene is a by-product of petroleum refining and styrene is captured either in the coking process or as a petroleum refining by-product. When these two gases are mixed in the presence of soapsuds in a reactor, they result into liquid latex. This is a milky liquid in which the dry rubber is coagulated into crumbs, washed, dried, and baled ready for shipment.
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