Rubber

The History Of Rubber

Rubber is a material that so requently in our modern day society we rely on it for almost every thing! From The marigolds (rubber gloves) we use for washing up to car tyres, clothing and even condoms! It was first discovered by the South Americans Indians in the Amazon rainforests, who saw the milky latex seeping out of the bark of the Hevea tree and embarked upon its various uses. They discoved that when dry it was waterproof and this allowed them to use it to craft water bottles and alternatively they used to collect it in bowls and dip their feet into it creating waterproof shoes.

However it was not until the 18th century when it was discovered by the europeans who brought the substance back with them that the world was introduces to this remarkable substance. However the substance was given its name in 1770 by English chemist Joseph Priestly who discovered that it could rub out pencil marks hence the modern day eraser.

The 19th century saw rubber take on a new meaning and the rubber industry sprang into action as a result of a revolutionary new process known as vulcanisation. Up until this point manufacturing with natural rubber had proven unsuccessful as it was discoverd that when introduced to heat natural rubber just melted. This was because the natural rubber molecule is made up of long chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms, which wiggle around in all directions. These polymers mass together in tangeled groups and undertake a liquid like state above 72ºC, explaning why rubber is so flexible at room temperature. these polymers can stretch out as the molecular structue uncoils yet such is their recoil strengle that thay can coil up again and spring back allowing the rubber to resume it original form. However in 1839 Charles Goodyear finally patented the use of sulphur as a stabilising agent. When heat is introduced sulphur causes cross-linking between rubbers polymers and the process was so named vulcanisation after Vulcan the Roman god of fire.

• text from : Book 'Rubber - Fun, Fashion, Fetish', Thames & Hudson, Janet Bloor, John.D.Sinclair

Types of Rubber

• Plylin

Plylin is a thin vulcanised rubber tape that has a stretch capacity of 600%. This material is able to resist tears and perforations and is durable and watertight. It can be washed at 100ºC. These properties make this material extremely suitable for applications such as membranes for sealing joints, protective sheets for medical purposes and nappies as well as elastic under garments.

How Rubber Is Used Today

• Rubber Ducky