Fundamentals of Modern Rubber Processing

Rubber processing into finished goods includes,

• Compounding
• Mixing & Shaping
• Vulcanizing

Rubber Chemical Manufacturer’s Qualities

Processing Steps

Formic acid is added to latex to coagulate, at this stage rubber is a form called Ribbed smoked sheet. Then it is hot air dried in smokehouses called Air-dried sheet, a better grade than this is called Pale crepe rubber.

1. Compounding

It is the process of adding chemicals like sulfur, fillers to enhance mechanical properties (Eg. Carbon black)

Carbon black is a colloidal form of carbon and increases tensile strength and abrasion resistance. Other fillers include China clays, PVC, styrene etc.

2. Mixing

This step is used to ensure uniform dispersion of ingredients and Premature vulcanization must be avoided by making sure of the absence of vulcanizing agents, which is the common problem that rubber processing industries are facing recently.

3. Vulcanization

Cross linking of elastomer molecules, so that rubber becomes stiffer and stronger but stays extensible. Number of cross linking is directly proportional to the behavior like a thermosetting plastic.

Uses of Rubber chemicals

Since Raw material as such is not suitable for commercial use, in the rubber industry in the production, synthesis and purification treatments of rubber. The main aim is to identify the right choice for the appropriate usage. The category of anti-grandaunts are used for the purpose of protecting the components of the machinery made of rubber and hence prolonging its life. The additives that are used for improving the properties of the rubber components are called accelerators.

Rubber Chemicals include the following,

• Zinc oxide
• Styrenated phenol
• Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG)
• Dibutyl phthalate
• Toluene
• Stearic acid, etc.

Dimethylamine is a major chemical used in synthetic rubber which possess superior performance and quality. The other side of its use is that it minimizes the use of ammonia in the industry.

Zinc oxide is generally a feed supplement. It is used in the manufacturing of veterinary products as well as in the process of synthesis of micro nutrients. It increases the durability and strength of rubber by linking together the rubber polymers & is used in the manufacture of seven grades of rubber and is used in the making of transparent rubber products.

Zinc stearate is used because it is comparatively light in weight and so can be transported quite easily and in large quantities. It is used for chemical coatings and resist moisture.