Natural rubber vulcanization

Vulcanization or vulcanisation is a chemical process for converting natural rubber or related polymers
into more durable materials by the addition of sulfur or other equivalent curatives or accelerators.
These additives modify the polymer by forming cross-links (bridges) between individual polymer chains.
Vulcanization is the process by which rubber molecules (polymers or macromolecules made of repeating
units or monomers called isoprene) are cross-linked with each other by heating the liquid rubber with
sulfur. Cross-linking increases the elasticity and the strength of rubber by about ten-fold, but the
amount of cross-linking must be controlled to avoid creating a brittle and inelastic substance. The
process of vulcanization was discovered accidentally in 1839 by the American inventor Charles Goodyear
(1800-1860) when he dropped some rubber containing sulfur onto a hot stove. Goodyear followed up
on this discovery and subsequently developed the process of vulcanization. In 1844, Goodyear was
issued United States Patent #3644. Natural rubber comes from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) and
is a white, milky liquid called latex. Most rubber comes from Malaysia and other nations in East Asia.
Latex can also be seen as the white fluid in dandelion stalks. The latex from the tree is actually a
suspension of rubber particles in water. Rubber is a polymer (long chain made of repeating units) of
isoprene. Natural rubber is relatively reactive, and is especially vulnerable to oxidation.

In the process of vulcanization, the added sulfur allows some C-H bonds to be broken and replaced by C-
S bonds. The process of vulcanization cross-links the chains or polyisoprene to each other. The cross-
linked molecules create a three-dimensional network of rubber. Each cross-link is a chain of about eight
sulfur atoms between two long chains of polyisoprene.

Vulcanized rubber is about 10 times stronger than natural rubber and is also about 10 times more rigid.
However, it is still very elastic, which means that is can be stretched reversibly. Polymers that are elastic
are sometimes called elastomers. The optimum amount of sulfur to be added to the rubber is about 10%
by weight. Adding an excess of sulfur produces a very brittle and inelastic substance called ebonite.
Man-made or synthetic rubber can also be vulcanized, and the process is similar.

Figure 1 shows what happens to rubber when the long chains of polyisoprene are cross-linked. In part a,
the macromolecules are bent and randomly arranged. In part b, the chains are cross-linked but still
randomly arranged. The molecules become aligned when the rubber is stretched. If the individual chains
were not crosslinked, each chain could slide freely past each other.

The work was done by the magnetising force against the internal friction of the molecules of the
magnet, produces heat. This energy which is wasted in the form of heat due to hysteresis is called
Hysteresis Loss. When in the magnetic material magnetisation force is applied, the molecules of the
magnetic material are aligned in one particular direction, and when this magnetic force is reversed in
the opposite direction, the internal friction of the molecular magnets opposes the reversal of magnetism
resulting in Magnetic Hysteresis.
Scientific Name: Ficus Elastica Var. Decora Roxb.

Rubber Tree

This is a glabrous, spreading tree, reaching up to 8 meters high, sending down numerous
adventitious roots from the trunk and branches. The leaves are smooth, leathery, shiny and entire. The
stipules are usually red as long as the leaves. It is found in many parts of the large cities.

MEDICINAL USE:

For healing wounds, cuts and sores.

In the treatment of parasitic worms.

HOW TO USE:

The crushed aerial or adventitious rootlets are used for healing wounds, cuts and sores.

The crushed bark is used to check bleeding of wounds.

The latex is recommended in decoction, for parasitic worms.

PARTS USED:

The rootlets, bark and latex.

DOSE:

As needed.

Read more: Vulcanization - Rubber as a natural product, Vulcanization and properties of vulcanized
rubber - Cross, Process, Sulfur, and Chains - JRank Articles
http://science.jrank.org/pages/7266/Vulcanization.html#ixzz524VK6ycA

Read more: Vulcanization - Rubber as a natural product, Vulcanization and properties of vulcanized
rubber - Cross, Process, Sulfur, and Chains - JRank Articles
http://science.jrank.org/pages/7266/Vulcanization.html#ixzz524V8INIe