Natural Rubber NR - Natural Rubber

Natural rubber NR is derived from trees that grow in tropical climates. Rubber-bearing plants produce a hydrocarbon called rubber hydrocarbon, abbreviated as NR. Aqueous colloidal dispersions, or latex, contain about 30-38% solid substances. The amount of solids in aqueous dispersions varies and depends on many factors. The content is influenced by the age of the tree and the time of year when the raw material is harvested. In addition to rubber, latex also contains resins, proteins, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and a small amount of mineral salts. During the coagulation of raw rubber, a number of other substances are also precipitated, which can also be utilized in industry.

Natural rubber is suitable for further chemical processing. It is often hydrogenated, chlorinated, subjected to chlorohydrogenation, cyclization, and reactions with resins. Rubber can be grafted as an adhesive agent. This material can also undergo epoxidation, a process involving the oxidation of double bonds in the molecule, resulting in the formation of epoxy. Epoxy is a resin that can also find applications in industry.

Natural rubber is an elastic hydrocarbon polymer derived from latex. Latex is a milky colloid sourced from rubber trees. Tapping or incising the tree bark causes the latex sap to exude, resembling milk. During the refining process, rubber with a wide range of applications is obtained. In the rubber industry, natural rubber is designated by the abbreviation NR, which is a multipolymeric isoprene polymer. According to ASTM, it is indicated by the symbol 1418 - WR. Common trade names for natural rubber include RSS, SMR, CREPE, and DYNAT.

Where does natural rubber come from?

The sticky secretion of rubber-bearing plants forms the basis for natural rubber. Many polysaccharides and starch are isolated in their composition. Latex is obtained when the plant is wounded, and plant sap oozes out from the injured tissue. The phenomenon of rubbery deposits forming on plants is called gummosis. This process is a plant's defense response to external injuries. Rubber trees are typically planted on industrial plantations. These trees are resistant to seasonal changes and do not shed their leaves annually. They belong to the Euphorbiaceae family, with latex naturally occurring in their bark. Only this latex is processed into natural rubber. The first mentions of using latex date back to ancient Indian times, but the real rubber craze began in the 19th century. Currently, natural rubber is used in various aspects of life.

Latex is produced in milk cells in selected plants, resulting from the transformation of sucrose into a type of polyisoprene. Environmental factors (acidification or freezing, addition of mineral salts) cause latex to coagulate into a soft and elastic material, which stabilizes in the presence of alkali substances, such as ammonia. The presence of ammonia also inhibits spontaneous coagulation. Spinning or evaporation of part of the water results in obtaining natural latex.

Currently, the primary raw material for natural rubber production is the Brazilian rubber tree. This tree can grow up to 30 meters and thrives best in warm and humid climates. It is not resistant to drought and frost. The tree's sap is toxic due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides, releasing cyanide. This compound is used in paints, varnishes, and soaps. The tree can also be used to make animal feed (from seed cakes) and as fuel. However, the main product obtained from this tree is latex.

The technology for obtaining natural rubber through emulsion polymerization was patented in 1929.

Natural Rubber - Properties

Natural rubber is highly elastic, making it widely used in daily life. It is a resilient material. However, it is not stable in high-temperature environments. It shows good elasticity at low temperatures. It also exhibits good wear resistance, considered satisfactory in many industries. Nevertheless, it is not highly resistant and lacks durability against ozone and weather conditions. It is not fire-resistant and swells in the presence of mineral oils and fuels. Natural rubber behaves more stable in the presence of alcohols, esters, glycols, and ketones.

Natural Rubber - Applications

Natural rubber is used in the rubber industry, especially in tire production. It is also commonly used in adhesives, carpets, paper, erasers, and inner tubes. Essentially, elements produced from natural rubber can be found in almost every aspect of life.

NR rubber sheets are characterized by high elasticity and high resistance to mechanical damage. They are perfect for applications where resistance to stretching and abrasion is crucial. They exhibit excellent resistance to cuts, impacts, and bending. Natural rubber is a material that is known for good adhesion, high deformability, and resistance to temperature. It should not be exposed to oils, solvents, or ozone.

NR rubber sheets are also available in a food-grade option (NR-L rubber sheets for food contact).

The NR-L food grade rubber sheet provides excellent tensile strength, high elasticity, and mechanical resistance. It is not modified with additional substances, which allows it to maintain its natural beige color. NR-L rubber sheets are suitable for contact with both dry and wet food products, as well as those containing fats.

Food Grade NR-L Rubber – Application

NR-L rubber is commonly used for food contact and certain pharmaceutical products.

• dairy industry
• fruit and vegetable processing
• food storage
• meat and fish processing
• refrigeration in the food industry

NR-L rubber sheets for food contact do not release chemical substances, are environmentally friendly, and do not pose a risk to human health. Food-grade rubber sheets are fully biodegradable. They are physiologically neutral - they do not alter the taste and aroma of food products. They inhibit the growth and multiplication of bacteria and the development of mites. NR-L rubber sheets are suitable for multiple uses in applications involving contact with food.

You can buy NR rubber sheets at Power Rubber store. In our offer, we have highly durable NR rubber sheets of various thicknesses. Upon request, we cut rubber mats to measure for the Customer.

Gaskets are placed between two working surfaces to create a tight seal, preventing unwanted leaks and contamination from entering the system.

At Power Rubber, we specialize in producing high-quality gaskets made to specific dimensions.

Manufacturing rubber gaskets requires knowledge, experience, and skills in utilizing the latest technologies and machines. We offer gasket cutting services using WaterJet water cutting and cutting and milling with a CNC plotter.

With every order, we aim to satisfy our customers. Gaskets are typically subjected to extreme requirements, so we provide high-quality solutions to deliver rubber products that meet the needs of both individual and commercial customers. We guarantee fast and professional service and have a well-stocked warehouse. We also offer assistance in choosing the most suitable material for specific applications.

At Power Rubber, we have the tools and specialized knowledge to meet your needs! We provide precision manufacturing services for products made from various materials in any shape, as well as in non-standard and standard dimensions. We fulfill orders for individual pieces as well as large series.

We utilize the latest technologies for cutting rubber seals. Using a modern WaterJet cutting machine, we deliver products that find application in various sectors and branches of industry. This cutting service enables faster order fulfillment compared to other methods, as well as allows for the production of prototype seals. Such cutting has many advantages, here are some of them:

• seals retain structural integrity
• ability to maintain dimensional tolerances for all seals
• clean cutting
• minimal material waste (less waste during the cutting process)
• high quality edges
• ability to produce versatile shapes
• high precision and cutting accuracy, even for the most complex designs
• ability to cut thicker materials
• suitable for small and medium production runs

In our offer, you will find a service of cutting rubber gaskets using a CNC machine. Making gaskets this way ensures precision and accuracy in single or large production series. We use professional AutoCAD software, have years of experience in design, which allows us to create any gasket tailored to the individual needs of the Customer.

The technology enables, among other things, cutting rubber gaskets to order in any shape and size, carrying out small and large production series, ensuring consistent uniformity of the gasket, as well as guaranteeing high quality and precision cutting and production according to the provided pattern or drawing.

To benefit from expert assistance or learn more about custom gaskets, please contact us at the following phone numbers: +48 22 292 40 24 or +48 505 16 03 03, or by email (power|powerrubber.com| |Power|PowerRubber.com) or through our contact form