Recipe - how it works
Rubber is a polymer produced through a process called vulcanization. However, to vulcanize rubber and simultaneously give it specific properties, several different components are required, which together form a recipe. Each recipe is unique and varies depending on the desired properties, as well as the manufacturing process to be used during the vulcanization itself, for example, injection or compression molding.
But fundamentally, you always start from a few basic components in the recipe structure, all of which have different tasks.
Raw material
The base for rubber is usually natural rubber or synthetic rubber such as butadiene rubber or styrene rubber. Natural rubber is extracted from the latex sap of rubber trees, while synthetic rubber is oil-based and produced industrially.
Fillers
Fillers are used to reinforce rubber and improve its mechanical properties. Common fillers include carbon black, chalk, and kaolin. Fillers are often added to increase rubber's stiffness, abrasion resistance, and tear strength.
Aging protection
Stabilizers are used to prevent the degradation of rubber by protecting it from oxidation or thermal degradation. Common stabilizers include antioxidants and antiozonants. These help to protect the rubber and increase its lifespan.
Plasticizer
Plasticizers are used to increase the flexibility and softness of rubber. This results in a softer final product but also aids in the molding and processing of the rubber. Plasticizers can be various types of oils or waxes that reduce friction during mixing and processing.
Vulcanizing agent
Vulcanizing agents are used, as the name suggests, to vulcanize rubber. The most common vulcanizing agents are sulfur, peroxide, and metal oxides. The vulcanization process itself involves heating the rubber to a certain temperature, which leads to the formation of sulfur bonds that give the rubber its elastic properties.
By combining and dosing the right amount of different base components, rubber with various properties can be created, such as elasticity, flexibility, wear resistance, and chemical resistance.
The recipe structure for rubber can vary depending on the type of rubber being manufactured and the specific properties disired.