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In 1496, Christopher Columbus and his crew saw people of Haiti playing balls made, from the gum of a tree. In 1770, an English chemist, Joseph Priestley, noted the ability of this substance to rub out pencil marks and named it as rubber. This substance is actually natural rubber. Natural rubber is obtained from rubber trees called Hevea brasiliensis which was first brought to Malaysia in year 1887. Prepared by Carlos F K George
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Natural polymer
A natural polymer is a polymer that exists naturally and is not made by man from chemical reactions.
Natural polymer
Natural rubber Starch Cellulose Protein
Monomer
Isoprene Glucose Glucose Amino acid
Natural rubber
Natural rubber is obtained from the latex secreted by rubber tree. Latex is a white milk-like fluid. Natural rubber is actually poly(isoprene) Its monomer is 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene or isoprene. Each isoprene molecule contains two pairs of double bonds. Thus, the isoprene molecules undergo addition polymerization to produce a long-chain molecule called Prepared poly(isoprene). by Carlos F K George
Latex is a colloid. It consists of rubber particles dispersed in water. Each rubber particle is made up of many long-chain rubber molecules enclosed by a protein-like membrane which is negatively charged. The coagulation of latex is as shown in Figure 2.37 Prepared by Carlos F K George
The coagulation of latex will also occur when it is exposed to air. The bacteria from the air enter the latex. The growth and spread of bacteria produce lactic acid that causes the coagulation of latex. Due to the slow bacterial action, the coagulation of latex takes a longer Prepared time to occur . by Carlos F K George
Latex can be preserved in the liquid state if ammonia, NH3, solution is added. Ammonia contains hydroxide ions, OHthat neutralize the acid produced by the bacteria. Hence, the rubber particles remain negatively charged and the coagulation Prepared is prevented . by Carlos F K George
Natural rubber exists as a white solid at room temperature. The presence of double bonds in the polymer greatly affects the properties of natural rubber. Natural rubber has the following properties.
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Elasticity decrease over time Properties of natural rubber Easily oxidised by air
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Soft
Sensitive to heat
Vulcanization of rubber
The properties of natural rubber limits its uses. Its properties can be improved through vulcanization.
Vulcanization is a process whereby rubber is reacted with sulphur. In industrial vulcanization, latex is heated with sulphur or rubber products are exposed to disulphur dichloride, S2Cl2 gas. Vulcanization changes the properties of rubber.
Prepared by Carlos F K George
Vulcanization of rubber
Vulcanized rubber
Unvulcanized rubber
More elastic Harder Stronger Can withstand Less easily oxidised Does not become soft and sticky easily
Elasticity Hardness Tensile strength Resistance strength Resistance to oxidation Effect of organic solvent
Prepared by Carlos F K George
Less elastic Softer Weaker Cannot withstand higher temperature Easily oxidized Becomes soft and sticky easily
Vulcanized rubber
When vulcanized rubber is stretched and released, the cross-linkages pull the chains back to their original arrangement. This improves the elasticity and strength of the rubber. The presence of sulphur cross-linkages also increases the size of rubber molecules, making the vulcanized rubber more resistant to heat and organic solvents. Vulcanized rubber has much lesser carbon-carbon double bond as compared to unvulcanized rubber. This explain the higher resistance of vulcanized rubber to oxidation.
Prepared by Carlos F K George
Uses
Tyre, footwear, rubber threads, rubber foam, conveyor belts, rubberized bitumen road rubber blocks or rubber bearings. Impermeability Gloves, tubes and hoses
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Rubber Industry
Rubber industry has brought fame and international recognition to Malaysia A priority industry in the first Malaysia Industrialization Programme
In future, it will be more expensive to produce synthetic rubber due to the rising cost and depleting source of petroleum. So, the world will turn to natural rubber to meet the demand for rubber.
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Higher yielding breeds of rubber trees More efficient methods in latex collection and rubber productions Better management of rubber plantation New application of rubber
Epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) Deproteinised natural rubber (DPNR) Thermoplastic Prepared naturalby rubber Carlos F (TPNR) K George
Two major agricultural crops in Malaysia Provide job opportunities Bring foreign exchange automobile and food industry Continuing research is essential to seek new uses for palm oil and natural rubber To meet this goal, there is a need to develop the manpower resources skilled scientists and researchers who are dedicated and committed
Prepared by Carlos F K George