Definition and Production
Man-Made Polymers: Synthetic rubbers, also called getah sintetik in Malay, are special materials created by scientists in laboratories. These materials are not found in nature but are designed to copy or imitate the useful qualities of natural rubber, such as flexibility and stretchiness.
Chemical Synthesis: While natural rubber comes from rubber trees, synthetic rubber is made using chemical reactions in factories. Instead of tapping trees, factories use chemical ingredients and machines to produce rubber-like substances.
Raw Materials: The basic ingredients used to make synthetic rubber come from petroleum and mineral oils. These raw materials go through several chemical steps to turn them into monomers, which are small molecules that link together to form the rubber polymer.
Types of Synthetic Rubber
Neoprene (Polychloroprene)
Chloroprene Monomer: Neoprene is made by a process called polymerisation, where many molecules of chloroprene (a chemical with the formula 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene) are joined together to form a long chain.
Polychloroprene Structure: The result of linking many chloroprene molecules is a polymer called polychloroprene. This is the scientific name for neoprene, and it has a strong, flexible structure.
Key Properties: Neoprene is special because it does not break down easily when exposed to oil, heat, or harsh chemicals. It is also flexible and strong, making it useful in many applications.
Applications of Neoprene: Because of its toughness and flexibility, neoprene is used in things like wetsuits for swimming, rubber hoses, seals called gaskets, and coatings on fabrics to make them water-resistant.
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
Copolymer Composition: SBR is a type of synthetic rubber made by mixing two different monomers: styrene and butadiene. When these two are combined and polymerised, they form a strong rubber material.
Production Method: The process used to make SBR is called copolymerisation. This means that two different monomer types are joined together in the same polymer chain, giving the rubber a mix of useful properties.
Notable Properties: SBR is known for being flexible and good at resisting wear and tear, which makes it ideal for everyday use. It is also more affordable than natural rubber, although it is not as good at resisting oxygen or weathering.
Common Uses of SBR: Because of its strong and durable nature, SBR is widely used in making car tyres, glues (adhesives), shoe soles, and rubber sealants used to prevent leaks.
Silicone Rubber
Siloxane-Based Structure: Silicone rubber has a very different structure compared to other rubbers. It is made of repeating units that contain silicon and oxygen atoms (Si-O-Si), with extra organic parts attached. This gives it special qualities.
Thermal and Chemical Stability: Silicone rubber is very good at staying strong in high heat and harsh chemicals. It can bend without breaking and doesn’t easily react with other substances, which makes it long-lasting and safe.
Silicone Applications: Because it is safe and stable, silicone rubber is used in many medical tools like implants, in parts of machines that get very hot, and as sealants or glues in home and industrial settings.
General Properties of Synthetic Rubber
Customisable Characteristics: One big advantage of synthetic rubber is that scientists can change how it behaves by using different monomers or changing the way it is made. This means its hardness, flexibility, or strength can be adjusted for different jobs.
Improved Resistance: In many cases, synthetic rubber can stand up better to heat, oxygen, and chemicals than natural rubber. This makes it more useful in environments that would damage natural rubber.
Higher Durability: Because of its strong chemical bonds and stable structure, synthetic rubber can last longer, especially in difficult conditions like heat, pressure, or contact with oil and chemicals.
Form Versatility: Synthetic rubber can be made into many shapes and forms. It can be made into sheets for covering surfaces, liquids for coatings or adhesives, or molded into parts like seals and tubes.
Polymerisation of Synthetic Rubbers
Addition Polymerisation Process: Many synthetic rubbers are made through a process called addition polymerisation. In this method, monomers with double bonds (like chloroprene) are joined together. The double bonds break, and the monomers form a long chain.
Copolymerisation Technique: Some types of rubber, like SBR, are made using two or more types of monomers. These different monomers are mixed and joined together to create a rubber that combines the best properties of each monomer.
Uses of Synthetic Rubber
Tyres Production: One of the biggest uses of synthetic rubber is in making tyres for cars, trucks, and bikes. SBR and similar rubbers are strong, flexible, and good at handling road wear.
Hoses and Seals Manufacturing: Neoprene and other strong synthetic rubbers are used in hoses that carry liquids and in seals that must stay strong even when exposed to heat or chemicals.
Flexible Adhesives: Synthetic rubbers are also used to make strong, stretchy glues that can stick materials together even when they bend or move.
Medical Applications: Silicone rubber is great for medical use because it does not cause bad reactions in the body. It is used for implants and other tools that must be clean, soft, and safe.
Construction Industry Use: In buildings and construction, synthetic rubber is used as sealants to keep out water or air and as coatings to protect surfaces from damage.
Environmental Considerations
Non-Biodegradability Issue: A big problem with most synthetic rubbers is that they do not break down naturally in the environment. This means they can pile up as waste and harm nature if not handled properly.
Sustainability Research: Scientists are working hard to solve this problem by creating ways to recycle used synthetic rubber and inventing new kinds made from natural or renewable materials that are more eco-friendly.