Rubber Chemicals: Properties, Production and Uses

UNIT 5 RUBBER CHEMICALS 10 MARKS CPT-II 2015-16
UNIT 5: RUBBER CHEMICALS
SYLLABUS
Unit no and Major Learning Outcomes Topics and Sub-topics

name (in cognitive domain)
5a. Define rubber

5b. Describe production of 5.1 Fundamentals of rubber
natural rubber 5.2 Natural rubber
5b1.List properties and uses of 5.3 Synthetic rubbers
natural rubber
5c. Classify synthetic rubbers
5c1. List uses of synthetic
rubber
Unit – V 5d. Explain compounding 5.4 Compounding of rubber

Rubber Chemicals procedure for rubber
5e. Draw flow diagram for

5.5 Manufacturing of
manufacturing of
(i) styrene butadiene rubber
(ii) poly butadiene rubber
(i) styrene butadiene rubber
(iii) chloroprene
(iv) nitrite rubber (ii) poly butadiene rubber
(iii) chloroprene
(iv) nitrile rubber
VIKASSINGH B CHAUHAN
LECTURER IN CHEMICAL ENGINERING
KJ POLYTECHNIC BHARUCH Page 1
5a. Define Rubber
 Rubber is a polymer with the unique property of elasticity.

 Its quality of storing energy is evidenced (proved) in high elongation and
instantaneous return to its original dimensions upon release of applied
loads.
 It is a polymer which is capable of returning to its original length, shape or
size after being stretched or deformed.
5b1.List Properties and Uses of Natural Rubber

 Properties of Natural Rubber:
 Natural rubber contains isoprene as a monomeric units .
 Natural rubber exhibits unique physical and chemical properties.
1. It is amorphous ,elastic & strain crystalline material.
2. It is soft and sticky

3. It has low tensile strength
4. It has low elasticity
5. It can be used over a narrow range of temperature.
6. It has low wear and tear resistance
7. It is soluble in solvents like ether, carbon tetrachloride, petrol etc.
8. No long-time exposure to sunlight, ozone and heat
9. Poor resistance to chemicals and oil substances
 Due to presence of double bonds in each repeat units it is susceptive to

vulcanization due to low mechanical strength and elasticity .
 It is also sensitive to ozone cracking.
 The most widely used solvents for natural rubbers are turpentine and
naphtha.
 Ammonia solution can be used to prevent the coagulation of raw latex
while it is being transportated.
 Vulcaniosation of rubbers creates disulfide bonds between linear chains to
forms cross linked structure which makes rubber more tougher and harder.
 Uses of Natural Rubber
 Around 70 % of the world’s natural rubber is used in tyres.

 High quality of rubber is used in surgeon’s gloves, balloons, & relatively
high value products.
 The medium quality of natural rubber is used largely in tyres, conveyor
belts, marine products & miscellaneous rubber goods.
 Other uses of rubber are in :
1. Glue
2. Toys
3. Shoes
4. Some medical tubing
5. Elastic thread
6. Door & window profiles
7. Hoses
8. Belts
9. Flooring
10.Gaskets
11.Dampers
12.Matting
13.Rubber Bands
14.Pencil Eraser
15.Textile Industries
 At the end of the rubber trees useful life, the wood is used to make
furniture.
5b. Describe Production of Natural Rubber
 A yellowish amorphous elastic material composed almost entirely of an

isoprene polymer obtained from the milky sap or latex & various tropical
plant is known as natural rubber.
 The chemical structure of isoprene is
 Natural rubber may contain up to 5000 isoprene monomer units.
 Production Method
 Latex is obtained by trapping the tree Hevea Brasiliensis in such manner as

to allow the liquid to accumulate in small cups.
 This must be collected frequently to avoid contaminations. The latex is
carried to collection station where it is strained and then preservative
(NH3).
 Then rubber is separated by coagulation in which various acids and salts are
added & the rubber is separated from liquid as a white mass.
 Then it is milled & sheeted to remove contaminants and then dried.

 The coagulated latex may also be treated in rotating knifes to produce
granular form.
 The granules are dried into air or wood smoke mechanical drier.
 Then either dried sheets or granules are compressed in to bales press
weighing 33 kg.
 Finally natural rubber is marketed as a latex concentrated after stabilization
with NH3 and centrifuged to about 60% rubber.
 Sometimes various additives are also added after softening.
 Natural rubber may also be vulcanized to improve elasticity and mechanical
strength.
 The most widely used natural rubber is cis 1,4-polyisoprene.
5c. Classify Synthetic Rubbers & Uses
 DEFINITION
 Synthetic rubber, invariably a polymer, is any type of artificial elastomer
mainly synthesized from petroleum byproducts.
 Synthetic rubbers are classified according to ASTM class, compositions and
their uses.
 By the practical application and use synthetic rubber divided in two categories:
1. General Purpose Rubber

 General-purpose rubbers are used in the production of articles in which the
basic property of vulcanized rubbers—that is, high elasticity at ordinary
temperatures—is desirable.
 Universal rubber that can be used instead of natural rubber, such as
styrene butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber.
 Uses
 Mainly used in the manufacture of various tire, conveyer belts and
footwear.
2. Special Purpose Rubber
 Special rubber is a high temperature, oil resistance, ozone resistance,
aging resistance and high air tightness and other characteristics of
rubber.
 Commonly used synthetic rubbers are silicone rubber, all kinds of
fluorine rubber, polysulfide rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, nitrile
rubber, polypropylene ester rubber, polyurethane rubber and butyl
rubber.
 Uses
 Special-purpose rubbers are used in producing articles that should be
resistant to the action of solvents, oils, oxygen, ozone and heat—that is,
able to retain high-elastic properties over a broad range of temperatures.
 Uses of Synthetic Rubbers
 Synthetic rubbers are used in oil resistant applications, Low temperature
applications, Fuel systems, automotive, marine, and aircraft, General
Industrial Use, Hydraulic actuator seals, Hydraulic pump seals, Water pump
seal, Carburetor seals, Transmission seals, Automotive fuel system seals.
 They also used in the roller industry, as it has a high resistance against
Paraffinic Hydrocarbon based inks.
 Blue rubber medical gloves are also made from it, Shoes, Floor mats.
 They are used in the automotive and aeronautical industry to make fuel
and oil handling hoses, seals, and grommets.
 Also used in the nuclear industry to make protective gloves.
 They are also used to create moulded goods, footwear, adhesives,
sealants, sponges, expanded foams, and floor mats,V-Belts, shock absorber,
wire jackets, aviation wire cables, rubber rolls, hose.
5.d Compounding of Rubber
 Pure rubber is not suitable for use .

 The desirable properties of plasticity, elasticity, toughness, hardness or
softness, abrasion resistance, impermeability are achieved by addition of
some compounds in raw rubber. This process of addition of various
compounds in rubber is called compounding of rubber.
 The various compounds are given as below:
1. Vulcanizing Agents
 They are sulphorous compounds which react with polymers to produces a
cross linked polymer, which improves elasticity & toughness of rubber.
 Ex:- Sulfur, sulfur monochloride, polysulfide.
2. Accelerators
 They are used to accelerate vulcanization processes from several hours to
few minutes. Also less sulfur needed and more uniform products are
obtained.
 Ex:- 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole , benzothiozolyl disulfide.
 Zinc and magnesium oxides and amines are used to activate accelerators.
3. Age Resistors & Antioxidants
 These protect rubber goods from attack by oxygen, ozone in atmosphere.
 Ex:- Salicylic and benzoic acids, N-phenyl,2-napthylamine
4. Catalytic Plasticizers
 They reduces the viscosity of rubber to permit easier processing.
 Ex:- 2-Napthelenethiol
5. Peptizers
 They are useful to reclaim vulcanized rubber & softening high molecular
weight crude rubber.
 Ex:-Aromatic Mercaptane
6. Fillers
 They harden & dilute the rubbers also reinforce them.
 Ex:- Clays, CaCO3, Silica, zinc, Carbon Black.
7. Processibility of rubber is also improved by wax, oil etc.
8. Spong structure is obtained by adding sodium bicarbonate urea, ammonium
bicarbonate.
5.5(i) Manufacturing of Styrene Butadiene Rubber
 INTRODUCTION
 The production of Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) follows addition polymerization.
 Its glass transition temperature is approximately -55°C, but may vary with the
Styrene content.
 It can be used extensively within the temperature range of -40 to 100°C. It may be
blended with natural rubber or can be used by itself.
 It has good abrasion resistance properties and the addition of additives may endow
it with aging stability.
 RAW MATERIALS
 Styrene
 Butadiene
 Activator
 Soap
 Modifier
 Antioxidants
 Carbon Black
 H2SO4
 CHEMICAL REACTION
 PROCESS DESCRIPTION
 SBR is produced by the copolymerization of Butadiene and Styrene by emulsion

polymerization in 3 : 1 weight ratio.
 The fresh and recycle monomers are purified by 20 % aqueous caustic purification.
 Then the stream is homogenized with activator, soap & modifier in homogenisor.
 Then the stream is continuously passed through 6 to 12 glass – lined or stainless

steel reactors.
 The residence time in these reactors ranges from 5 to 15 hours.
 Steam heating, water cooling and refrigeration are carried out in these reactors.
 These reactors are equipped for producing both cold and hot SBR.
 Cold SBR is produced at 5°C and 1 atm gage by refrigeration techniques ; whereas
hot SBR is manufactured at 50°C , and 3-4 atm gage.
 The polymerization product is then stripped with chemical inhibitors and the latex
resulting from the reactors are collected in blow down tanks.
 The latex is then sent to a falling film stripper to remove the butadiene ; and the
bottoms are fed to a perforated plate column where styrene is stripped out.
 The monomer – free emulsion is then added with certain compounding ingredients
(anti oxidants) in blend tanks.
 The latex is coagulated to rubber.
 The crumbs of rubber float onto shaker screens where the catalyst , emulsifiers and
other solubles are removed by the action with wash water.
 The crumbs are dried in continuous belt dryers with hot air and are subsequently
pressed into bales.
5.5 (ii) Manufacturing of Poly Butadiene Rubber

 INTRODUCTION
 Polybutadiene is a term used to denote homopolymer of butadiene C4H6.

 Polybutadiene is a synthetic rubber that is a polymer formed from the
polymerization process of the monomer 1,3-butadiene.
 RAW MATERIALS
 Butadiene monomers
 Catalyst (Ni, Co, Alky Metals )
 Solvents (Hexane ,Benzene, Toulene)
 Anti oxidants
 Coagulating agents (Calcium nitrate, aluminium sulphate)
 PROCESS DECRIPTION
 First of all butadiene monomer is fed to polymerization reactor with
Solvent like hexane, benzene or toluene.
 The solution polymerization is takes place in the presence of catalyst like Ni,
Cobalt or alkyl metal.
 This reaction is exothermic in nature so sufficient cooling is required.
 Water is taken as a media for this polymerization reaction.
 After polymerization the product stream is fed to monomer recovery unit
from where un-reacted monomers are separated from product latex and
recycle back to the polymeriser.
 Then after stream is fed to rotary filter to remove unwanted solid materials
and then the latex is fed to blender.
 In the blender antioxidants are added to the latex for stabilization.
 Then after latex is coagulated with coagulating agents like Calcium nitrate,
aluminium sulphate. Then the latex is fed to dewatering tank to remove
water from the latex.
 Then the polybutadiene rubber latex is dried in the dryer and fed to bale
press.
5.5 (iii) Manufacturing of Chloroprene Rubber

 INTRODUCTION
 Chloroprene rubber is also known as neoprene rubber.
 RAW MATERIALS
 Chloroprene monomers
 Water
 Emulsifier
 Modifier,
 Sulfur,
 Acid,
 Coagulating agent
 First of all chloroprene monomers, emulsifiers, modifiers, sulphur, water
are fed to the polymeriser reactor.
 From here emulsion polymerisation reaction is takes place At its standard
temperature and pressure.
 Here sulphur is added to vulcanise the latex.
 Then the latex stream is fed to stripper from where un-reacted
chloroprene monomer is separated and then recycles back to
polymeriser after purification.
 Then the latex from the bottom of the stripper is fed to the peptizer tank
from where poeticising agent thiurandisulfide is added. Then the latex is
neutralised with acid and fed to revolving drum cooler.
 After cooling the latex is coagulated in coagulating tank to produce
firbers.
 Then after the latex is washed in washer to remove impurities.
 Then the chloroprene rubber is dried in drier then chopped in chopper to
produce either sheets or granules.
 Finally chloroprene rubber is collected as a final product after dust
removal.
5.5 (iv) Manufacturing of Nitrile Rubber

 INTRODUCTION
 Nitrile rubber, also known as Buna-N, Perbunan, or NBR, is a synthetic

rubber copolymer of acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene.
 Trade names include Nipol, Krynac and Europrene.
 Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) is a family of unsaturated copolymers of 2-
propenenitrile and various butadiene monomers (1,2-butadiene and 1,3-
butadiene).
 RAW MATERIALS
 Butadiene monomers
 2-Propenenitrile
 Emulsifier
 Activators
 Catalyst
 Water
 Coagulating agents
 First of all emulsifier, 2-propenenitrile, butadiene monomers, activators
and catalyst are fed to polymerization reactor.
 The emulsion polymerization is takes place in the polymeriser at 30-40 °C
temperature for hot rubber and at 5-15°C for cold rubber.
 Under lower temperature conditions, less branching will form on polymers
(the amount of branching distinguishes cold NBR from hot NBR).
 This reaction is exothermic in nature so sufficient cooling is required.
 Water is taken as a media for this polymerization reaction.
 Shortstop agent such as diethyl hydroxylamine is added to react with rest
of the radicals
 After polymerization the product stream is fed to monomer recovery unit
from where un-reacted monomers are separated from product latex and
recycle back to the polymeriser.
 Then after stream is fed to rotary filter to remove unwanted solid materials
and then the latex is fed to blender.
 In the blender antioxidants are added to the latex for stabilization.
 Then after latex is coagulated with coagulating agents like Calcium nitrate,
aluminium sulphate. Then the latex is fed to dewatering tank to remove
water from the latex.
 Then the Nitrile-butadiene rubber latex is dried in the dryer and fed to bale
press.

Rubber Chemicals: Properties, Production and Uses

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Rubber Chemicals: Properties, Production and Uses

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

UNIT 5 RUBBER CHEMICALS 10 MARKS CPT-II 2015-16

UNIT 5: RUBBER CHEMICALS

Unit no and Major Learning Outcomes Topics and Sub-topics

5a. Define rubber

Unit – V 5d. Explain compounding 5.4 Compounding of rubber

5e. Draw flow diagram for

5a. Define Rubber

 Rubber is a polymer with the unique property of elasticity.

5b1.List Properties and Uses of Natural Rubber

2. It is soft and sticky

 Due to presence of double bonds in each repeat units it is susceptive to

 Uses of Natural Rubber

 Around 70 % of the world’s natural rubber is used in tyres.

5b. Describe Production of Natural Rubber

 A yellowish amorphous elastic material composed almost entirely of an

 Natural rubber may contain up to 5000 isoprene monomer units.

 Latex is obtained by trapping the tree Hevea Brasiliensis in such manner as

 Then it is milled & sheeted to remove contaminants and then dried.

5c. Classify Synthetic Rubbers & Uses

1. General Purpose Rubber

5.d Compounding of Rubber

 Pure rubber is not suitable for use .

5.5(i) Manufacturing of Styrene Butadiene Rubber

 SBR is produced by the copolymerization of Butadiene and Styrene by emulsion

 Then the stream is continuously passed through 6 to 12 glass – lined or stainless

 The residence time in these reactors ranges from 5 to 15 hours.

 The latex is coagulated to rubber.

5.5 (ii) Manufacturing of Poly Butadiene Rubber

 Polybutadiene is a term used to denote homopolymer of butadiene C4H6.

5.5 (iii) Manufacturing of Chloroprene Rubber

5.5 (iv) Manufacturing of Nitrile Rubber

 Nitrile rubber, also known as Buna-N, Perbunan, or NBR, is a synthetic

You might also like