Synthetic and Natural Rubber
Abstract
Rubber is an important resource with a wide variety of applications. It can be obtained
naturally from the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. It can also be synthesized from petroleum and
natural gas. Both natural and synthetic rubbers have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Natural rubber is made up the linear chain polymer, cis-l,4-polyisoprene. Styrene-butadiene
rubber (SBR) is the most common synthetic rubber. It is a random copolymer of styrene and
butadiene and has good physical properties once it has been strengthened through vulcanization.
Introduction
Rubber is an elastomer that can be obtained naturally from certain trees or synthesized
from petroleum and natural gas. [1] It is a valuable resource that is commonly used in tires,
machine belting, wire insulation, and shoe soles. Rubber is created naturally, most commonly by
the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis .[1] There are many different types of synthetic rubber
including: isoprene, butadiene, polysulfides, polychloroprene, nitrile rubber, and styrenebutadiene
rubber. [3] There are advantages and disadvantages of both synthetic and natural
rubber.
Results
Hevea trees are native to the Amazon region, but were brought to Asia, which is now the
largest producer of natural rubber. [1] Natural rubber is obtained by a process called tapping. [2] A
knife is used to make a shallow cut in the tree to allow latex to flow freely and be collected in a
cup.[2] A single tapping yields about 50 grams of rubber and usually occurs once every two days.
[2] Natural rubber can be produced at a rate of about 1 ton of rubber per acre per year. [2]
Natural rubber is the linear chain polymer, cis-l,4-polyisoprene. The polymer is ...
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1998. 29 July 2008
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[8] Rodgers, Brendan, Donald S. Tracey, and Walter H. Waddell. Biosynthesis of natural
rubber. Digital image. EBSCOhost. Aug. 2005. 29 July 2008
4c49b0571e04%40sessionmgr7>.
[9] Rodgers, Brendan, Donald S. Tracey, and Walter H. Waddell. Configuration of
polyisoprene molecule. Digital image. EBSCOhost. Aug. 2005. 29 July 2008
4c49b0571e04%40sessionmgr7>.
[10] Copolymer: random arrangement [Styrene-butadiene copolymer]. Digital image.
Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 29 July 2008
rubber-sbr#default>.
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