NATURAL RUBBER

CAN YOU GUESS WHAT IS THIS ?

Rubber band

N ATURAL R UBBER
Is a natural polymer that is

obtained from the latex of the rubber tree.

NATURAL POLYMERS

Are polymer that exist in nature.

They are not man-made.

They are organic compounds.

Eg: Starch,protein,lipid & natural rubber.
Note; Polymers are very large molecules formed from smaller molecule called monomers.

NATURAL RUBBER
Rubber tapper
Rubber tree leaves

Rubber tree
Production of latex

MONOMER OF NATURAL RUBBER

The monomer of natural rubber is isoprene molecule. Its IUPAC name is 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene. Its structural formula is
H CH3 H H
H C C C C H

N ATURAL

RUBBER MOLECULE

When isoprene molecules join together, they form a polymer called polyisoprene. Polyisoprene is the molecule found in natural rubber molecule.

T HE STRUCTURAL FORMULA OF
POLYISOPRENE OR NATURAL RUBBER

or

Task:
F IND

OUT THE MONOMER FOR

PROTEIN , LIPID AND STARCH

P ROPERTIES
Property
Elasticity

OF

NATURAL RUBBER

Description
Natural rubber is elastic. It

will return to its original shape after you stretch it.

Resistance to oxidation

Natural rubber is easily

oxidised by oxygen, in the atmosphere. Oxygen adds to double bond between carbon atoms.

P ROPERTIES OF
NATURAL RUBBER
Property
Effect of heat

Description
Natural rubber cannot

withstand heat .At low temperatures, it becomes hard brittle.

Effect of solvents

Acidic and alkaline

solvents can attack and destroy natural rubber.

Do you know that natural rubber is used to make household product? It is also widely used in the field of medicine, engineering as well as in the construction and automobile industries.

USES OF NATURAL RUBBER

Rubber tile Balloon Eraser Mask Glove

Surgical glove

Latex tubing

Scrub boot

Pillow Tyre Mattress Swing

Rubber soles

LATEX

Latex is a milk-like liquid that flows out after the bark of the rubber tree is cut. Latex is a colloid.

It is a mixture of rubber particles and water.

The rubber particles are so small that they remain suspended in water.

Sometimes latex needs to be turn into solid before its can be processed. How to solidify the latex?

D O YOU KNOW THAT LATEX IS

A WASTE PRODUCT OF RUBBER TREE ?

RUBBER PARTICLE
A rubber particle is made up of a

protein membrane that surrounds many rubber molecules.

It is like a bag with rubber

molecules in it.

R UBBER PARTICLE

COAGULATION OF LATEX

Latex will coagulate when dilute acids are added to it.

Coagulated latex is semi solid. The rubber molecules in coagulated latex have separated out from the water.

T HE COAGULATION PROCESS
OF LATEX

1. The protein membrane is negatively charged. Therefore, rubber particles repel each other. The latex does not coagulate.

T HE COAGULATION PROCESS
OF LATEX

2. The hydrogen ions,H from acids neutralise the negative charges.

T HE COAGULATION PROCESS
OF LATEX

3. The rubber particles no longer repel each other. They collide with each other.

T HE

COAGULATION PROCESS OF LATEX

4. This breaks the protein membrane. The rubber molecules are now free.

T HE COAGULATION PROCESS
OF LATEX

5. The rubber molecules clump together. The latex has coagulated.

If we leave fresh latex for sometime, it will eventually coagulate. This is because bacteria in the latex will produce acids.

If latex can coagulate by using acid such as ethanoic acid,CH3COOH how to prevent latex from coagulating?

Ammonia,NH3

V ULCANISATION OF RUBBER

Natural rubber is elastic.

When we stretch, compress, or bend it , its molecules slide over each other. But if we over-stretch it or leave it distorted for too long, the molecules can no longer return to their original positions. The natural rubber loses its elasticity.

LABORATORY WORK 2.8

Write a suitable sentence for each steps to describe vulcanisation.

S TRETCHING NATURAL
RUBBER
BEFORE STRETCHING

V ULCANISATION OF RUBBER

The properties of natural rubber can be improved by treating it with sulphur,S. This process is called vulcanisation. The treated rubber is called vulcanised rubber.

V ULCANISATION

OF RUBBER

In vulcanised rubber, sulphur,S atoms form cross-links between the rubber molecules. These cross-links prevent rubber molecules from sliding too much when stretched. The rubber molecules return to their original positions after being stretched.

STRETCHING VULCANISED RUBBER

Have a nice day! Have a great break! And dont forget your trial SPM is just around the corner

THE END