PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Synthetic Rubber
Rubber, elastomers, is a
polymeric materials characterized
by their ability of reversible
deformation due to external
deforming forces. Their
deformation rate depends on the
structure and molar mass of the deformed rubber and on external conditions
of the deformation.
A synthetic rubber is any artificial elastomer. These are mainly
polymers synthesized from petroleum byproducts. It is mainly used as the
main constituent of the tyres used on bicycles, airplanes and automobiles.
Today, synthetic rubber is mainly produced by polymerization. Synthetic
rubber can be mostly used with natural rubbers as a single polymer or in
mixtures. In Between 65% and 70% of all rubber goes into the production of
tyres. Other main applications include binders for paper coating, carpet
backing and molded articles such as thin gloves.
History of Rubber
Date Event
1909 FRITZ Hofmann was a German organic chemist who first
synthesized synthetic rubber
-methyl isoprene (2,3-DIMETYHL 1,3-BUTADIENE)
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
1910 The first rubber polymer synthesized from
Butadiene was created in 1910 by the Russian
scientist Sergei Vasiljevich Lebedev
1931 Lebedev synthesized the first successful synthetic
rubber, neoprene
1935 Walter Bock and Eduard Tschunkur polymerized a
synthetic rubber called Buna-S from butadiene
and styrene in an aqueous emulsion.
1940s US Production of Synthetic Rubber increased from
8000 tonnes/year to 830, 000 tonnes/year from
1940-1945
TODAY All large solid-fuel military rockets and missiles use
synthetic-rubber-based solid fuel
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Properties of Synthetic Rubber
Property S-SBR E-SBR
Tensile Strength (MPa) 18 19
Englongation at Tear (%) 565 635
Mooney Viscosity (100 48.0 51.6
C)
Glass Transition -65 -50
Temperature (C)
Polydiversity 2.1 4.5
Categories of Synthetic Rubber
Category Property
Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) abrasion resistance, lower
elasticity, better heat and aging
resistance, excellent electrical
insulation properties
Polybutadiene rubber (BR) blended with SBR or
NRabrasion-resistant, good elasticity,
flexible at low temperatures
Isoprene rubber (IR) more uniform cleaner,
transparent
Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber Oil and fuel resistant, good heat
(NBR) distortion temperature properties,
abrasion resistant
Chloroprene rubber (CR) Flame retardant, resistant to
grease, oil, weathering and aging,
abrasion resistant
Butyl rubber (IIR) Low permeability to gases,
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
resistant to aging, ozone and
chemicals, good mechanical
properties, abrasion resistant, good
electrical insulation properties
Uses of Synthetic Rubber
1. Tyres: Man-made rubber is used to manufacture tyres of various types.
Today synthetic rubber is used to manufacture tyres as it is known to
be tensile and durable. It is thus considered to be one of the best
options for automobile tyres.
2. Fuel missiles: Rubber based fuels were used for launching missiles
during the Second World War. Man-made rubber can be formed into
various forms so it is widely used for space travels.
3. Scientific and Medical Field: Man-made
rubber is used in the field of science and
medicine. It is used for manufacturing
rubber gloves, orthopedic braces and
various other medical items.
4. Adhesives and Coatings: Due to its
adhesive qualities, it is used to
manufacture adhesive tapes and liquids.
5. Protective Clothing: Synthetic rubber is also used to manufacture
various types of protective clothes, boots, sleep sacks, diving suits and
so forth.
6. Tubes and Hoses: Man-made rubber is used to manufacture garden
hoses, gaskets, mechanical seals, belts and hoses. It is also used to
manufacture inner tubes, garden hoses and laboratory tubes.
Companies in the Philippines
PHILIPPINE RUBBER INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION, INC.
Location: 10-J, LPL Condominium, 17 Eisenhower St., North Greenhills
San Juan, NCR - Second District
Tel: 727-7482
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Fax: 727-7482
MANILA RUBBER CORPORATION
Location: 50 J.P. Ramoy Road, Talipapa, Caloocan City Barangay 164
CALOOCAN CITY Metro Manila
Tel: (02) 983-1331
Fax: (02) 983-1190
POWER SYNTHETIC RUBBER
MANUFACTURING
Location: 22 Agno Street, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Manufacturing Process of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber
Raw Materials
Butadiene
Butadiene is a simple conjugated diene with the formula C4H6. It is an
important industrial chemical used as a monomer in the production of
synthetic rubber.
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Styrene
Styrene, also known as ethenylbenzene, vinylbenzene, and
phenylethene, is an organic compound with the
chemical formula C6H5CH=CH2. This derivative
of benzene is a colorless oily liquid that
evaporates easily and has a sweet smell,
although high concentrations have a less
pleasant odor. Styrene is the precursor to
polystyrene and several copolymers. Approximately 25 million tonnes (55
billion pounds) of styrene were produced in 2010.
Chemical Reaction:
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Equipment Unit Operation/ Unit Process
Polymerization
The butadiene and styrene undergoes
polymerization along with the catalyst
and soap solution. The reaction is only
allowed to react up to 70% and the
reaction is short stopped using
stopping substance.
Reaction Vessels
Flash Evaporation
The unreacted butadiene is removed
by making use of the low boiling point
of the butadiene.
Vacuum Flash Vessels
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Stripping
Unreacted styrene is stripped from the
mixture by stripping towers.
Stripping Tower
Coagulation
Strips of latex is blended into the
mixture and the mixture is coagulated
into crumbs
Coagulation Unit
Dewatering
The excess water from the coagulation
unit is removed by use of the vibrating
sieve.
Horizontal Vibrating Sieve
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Drying
The SBR is dewatered and will proceed
to the hot-air dryer to reduce the
moisture content of the dewatered
SBR
Hot-air Dryer
Baling
The baler uses hydraulic pressure to
squeeze the dry SBR into rectangular
rubber bales for easier packaging.
Baling Machine
Manufacturing Process of Tires
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Raw Materials
Synthetic Rubber
Synthetic Rubber like other polymers, is made from various petroleum-
based monomers. The most
prevalent synthetic rubbers are
styrene-butadiene rubbers (SBR)
derived from the copolymerization
of styrene and 1,3-butadiene
Natural Rubber
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Natural rubber is obtained from the milky
secretion (latex) of various plants, but the only
important commercial source of natural rubber
(sometimes called Par rubber) is the tree Hevea
brasiliensis.
Steel Wire
Bead wire is a hard drawn, high carbon
steel wire available in a range of wire
diameters , tensile strengths and shapes.
Carbon Black
Carbon black is used as the filler of the
tire to enhance its strength and also to act as a
colorant.
Equipment Unit Operation/ Unit Process
Rubber Compound Mixing
The Rubber, fillers, softeners, wax,
antiozonants, and curing agents are
mixed together in the rubber mixing
mill
Rubber Mixing Mill
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Bead Wire Drawing
Bead wires are drawn to provide
support for the tires, enhancing the
mechanical properties.
Wire Drawing Machine
Rubber Coating
Sheets of nylon, polyester and steel
thinly coated with rubber on both
sides..
Rubber Coating Machine
Extruding And Calendering
The rubber compound is heated and
extruded into required shapes. It is
then cooled and cut. The inner liners
are produced by calendaring.
Extruding Machine
Tire Building
The tires are created by overlapping
the tire components and reshaping the
tire using the equipment. The end
product of this operation is the green
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
tire.
Tire Building Drum
Curing
The green tire is covered with a
solution to help in the curing process.
The press pushes the rubber into the
mold and because of its high
temperature the shape is retained.
Curing Press
