Rubber: The Flexible Material in Our Daily Lives
Rubber is a flexible material we commonly refer to as "rubber." Its raw material is derived from a tropical plant, the Brazilian rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). This tree grows 20-30 meters tall and thrives in humus-rich soil.
History of Rubber
Known as the inventor of rubber, Johnson Goodyear brought rubber to daily life in the 1940s.
How is Rubber Obtained?
Rubber is obtained from sap called "latex." Tree bark is split in a V-shape to extract the latex, which is then coagulated by adding formic acid. The coagulated latex forms an elastic paste, which is then rolled between rollers, rinsed, and dried. It is then stored in smoke for 45 days to prevent mold growth, before being pressed and stored.
Properties of Rubber
Rubber is a flexible, electrically insulating, and plastic material. It softens when heated and melts at a certain temperature. However, when exposed to air, it reacts with oxygen and can harden and crack over time. Substances such as turpentine and ether dissolve rubber, while alcohol and ketones do not.
