Rubber

The Many Uses of Rubber

 

Rubber, in one form or another has been used since the times of old, evidence of its use going back 2,000,000 years or more. In those days the substance was derived naturally from the rubber tree. Individuals would then use it to make balls, and to waterproof handmade buckets, pails and more. As time went on more and more uses for rubber was discovered inspiring the invention of synthetic rubber because the natural alternative could not keep up with the growing demand. Every year an approximated 4 million tons of natural rubber and 7 million tons of synthetic rubber are produced to make more than 50,000 different products that we use on a daily basics worldwide.

Natural rubber production begins with the tapping of the matured rubber trees of South East Asia and Africa. Workers tap the trees by making an incision which cause the slow flow of the milky fluid called latex, after enough of the latex is collected in pails the water is then removed from it and the latex is then turned into raw rubber. There are approximately twenty different types of synthetic rubber used today including silicone rubber,acrylic rubber and butyl rubber. the production of this type of rubber consists of the adding of materials like petroleum, crude oil and different types of gases.

Today, rubber is as widely used as wood and this is largely due to its beneficial proprieties like strength, long lasting, water resistance and heat resistance all these benefits makes this material perfect for tire production, in fact a large percentage of rubber production goes into the automotive industry. Other benefits like being non slip, soft, durable, resilient makes this material the first choice for playground equipment, shoes, mats, flooring, healthcare supplies, household supplies, balls, toys and thousands of other rubber products. Rubber comes in a large variety of colors, styles and textures making it extremely diverse. Used rubber tires are often recycled to make other items like mulch, shoes, bags, jewelry and coats. It is safe and reliable and seen as a valuable material by many.