Discovered in the early 1700’s, natural rubber material was presented to the Royal Science Academy of France as a valuable resource interest. With its origins tracing back to the Para rubber tree grown in South America, wide spread appeal of this new viable product appealed to various nations for the unique material properties of rubber. With little knowledge about the functions of this new good, the initial interest began with its ability to erase pencil marks by rubbing the material over any visible markings on paper. The name “rubber” was soon coined after this most popular use, and its increases popularity incited interest beyond its useful erasing capabilities. After careful inspection by several scientists and researchers, the material properties of our modern day industrial sheeting rubber have been evaluated throughout the decades to reveal why this material is such a commodity in the market today. Without this viable material, a variety of products could not exist within the world today. From the car tires that take us to our favorite destination to the rubber gaskets lining everything from the windows, to our electronic equipment, rubber material has found its place in our world market.

Classified as an elastomer, natural rubber is primarily composed of the organic compound polyisoprene and water, with a few other compounds mixed in. With its main content being latex, this elastomer inherits traits that allow for its hyper-elastic qualities. In a natural state, latex material is extremely stretchy, flexible and waterproof. Natural rubber material is extracted from the Para rubber trees by cutting veins across the body of the tree and having the tree sap collected into coconut shells, which are usually used to hold the latex. Latex as found in nature in most vegetation and is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants. It is a multifaceted blend consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins, and gums that coagulates on exposure to air. By taking these qualities and adding them to a several other compounds a variety of rubber material was soon created that has become ubiquitous in our daily lives. Part of the appeal of this commodity was soon discovered as individuals began forming new materials using this resource. On a molecular level, rubber has a double bond for every repeat unit, which allows for its composition to be changed with the addition of other compounds. These ideal material properties of rubber expanded the potential of this new resource to virtually endless possibilities (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_rubber).

After much contemplation and research, scientists soon deemed this process of forming rubber into different materials as vulcanization. Vulcanization refers to chemically altering rubber in order to form a material that is more durable. Typically sulfur or a similar curative is added to the rubber material to increase its strength, and has allowed for resources ranging from a rubber on a roll that could floor an entire gym, or a rubber wheels under your chair. This chemical alteration of the rubber material results in a product that is less sticky and has superior mechanical properties. Although the hyper-elastic quality of this commodity is still a defining property, the versatility that is offered with vulcanization was an astonishing finding. Rubber could now be altered to provide resistance against UV, ozone, various chemicals, and could even withstand abrasive conditions.

Aside from the unique ability for rubber to form bonds with other compounds and its ability to be vulcanized into different materials, this viable resource gained its global praise for its elasticity. Although several other materials maintain elastic qualities, in particular different metals, rubber stands apart because it stores its strain energy thermally. This property of rubber allows it to be elongated or stretched to large lengths while still maintaining its shape after being released. For applications where a thin piece of sheeting (rubber) is needed to create drum pads, this quality works extremely well in providing a firm surface that is flexible, but durable. In other cases, the elastic property of rubber could be used in common products such as rubber bands or shoe soles. This elasticity not only gives resilience to the product, but also adds comfort when needed. Its malleable nature bends under pressure and reduces the amount of strain placed on joints or machines

The functionality of this material has led to its uses in a multitude of everyday products that we unknowingly use on a daily basis. Rubber material plays a large role in our global market for the exceptional qualities that it has to offer. The material properties of rubber extend beyond the common day uses and are a valuable resource to areas such as the scientific community as well. Although we may commonly see a rubber on roll as the typical form of this resource on our gym floors or as pad under tables, know that the usefulness of rubber extends beyond these applications. Without rubber, activities such as driving or flying would not likely be possible. We can simply thank the unique properties that this great resource has added to our world.