|
|
What is Rubber
Draining sap from a rubber tree |
Rubber is a complex and often misunderstood material that traces its history all the way back to the Ancient Civilizations of Central Mexico around 1600 BC. Mayans and Olmecs drained latex rubber sap from local trees and mixed it with juice from the morning glory vine to create a durable, elastic material. They used this latex rubber material for everything from rubber balls for ceremonial games to bindings for tools.
|
Cardiac Pacemaker |
Further rubber evolution came in the form of vulcanization, the process of mixing natural rubber with other ingredients and adding heat. This process, commonly accredited to Charles Goodyear in 1839, created a more dependable, elastic material. Today more than seventy five percent of the rubber being used is synthetic, and originates from a barrel of oil. Rubber is a thermoset elastomer distinct and different from its plastic counterpart (TPE).
Today, modern synthetic rubber materials are designed specifically for the end use or application. Materials like Silicone, EPDM, Nitrile, and Fluorocarbon bear little resemblance in either chemistry or performance to its natural rubber ancestor. Rubber is being used to save lives in pacemakers and defibrillators, help power construction equipment in dynamic seals and pumps, and perform vital functions in many of the commercial products we use every day.
How can rubber work for you? |
 |
|
|
|
|
Benefits
|
