Natural rubber
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber (pronunciation: /ˈnætʃərəl ˈrʌbər/), also known as India rubber or caoutchouc (pronunciation: /kaʊˈtʃuːk/), is a polymer of Isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. It is derived from the latex sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree, commonly known as the rubber tree.
Etymology
The term "rubber" was coined in 1770 by English chemist Joseph Priestley, who discovered that the material could be used to rub out (erase) pencil marks. The term "caoutchouc" comes from the indigenous Amazonian word "caa-o-chu", which means "weeping wood", referring to the way the latex sap weeps from the tree when it is cut.
Production
Natural rubber is produced by the process of tapping rubber trees. The latex sap is collected and then coagulated using acid to form raw rubber. This raw rubber is then processed further to remove impurities and to be shaped into sheets or blocks for commercial use.
Uses
Natural rubber is used in a wide variety of applications due to its excellent properties such as high elasticity, waterproofing, and electrical resistance. It is commonly used in the manufacturing of tires, gloves, balloons, and erasers. It is also used in certain medical devices and in the production of latex products.
Related Terms
- Synthetic Rubber: A type of rubber that is artificially synthesized rather than derived from natural sources.
- Vulcanization: A chemical process used to harden rubber.
- Latex Allergy: An allergic reaction to certain proteins found in natural rubber latex.
- Rubber Tree: A tree species that is the primary source of natural rubber.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Natural rubber
- Wikipedia's article - Natural rubber
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