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The Greek philosopher, Plato, said, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Throughout history, technological developments have been strongly influenced by social and economic factors. During the 19th century in the United States, the Industrial Revolution gave birth to many technological advancements that greatly altered the course of America’s economic future. Such inventions included the steam engine (1775), cotton gin (1793), sewing machine (1844), telephone (1876) and Model T. Ford (1908). All these inventions sprouted from necessity, whether it is necessity of energy in order to move machinery, or necessity of faster transportation, inventions play a central role in our economy and society. Especially in cases of war, certain inventions or discoveries can impact life or death outcomes.
After the invention of the automobile, natural rubber production flourished. People soon discovered that natural rubber could be used for a number of applications in various industries. However, the events leading up to World War II presented some countries with limited natural rubber resources. As a result, these events propelled the discovery, production and wide distribution of synthetic rubber material (http://sciencenetlinks.com/lessons/inventions-of-necessity-synthetic-rubber/). One of the first artificial elastomers invented was a quality synthetic rubber that is known as Styrene Butadiene rubber. Styrene Butadiene rubber (SBR rubber) is a commonly used elastomer. If you look at the heels or soles of your shoes, or even the tires of an automobile, a synthetic elastomer like SBR is typically used because of its unyielding defense against abrasion.
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What Lead to the Invention of Styrene Butadiene Rubber
SBR rubber was invented during times of rubber shortages in World Wars I and II. During these periods, rubber demand was high, but resources scarce. In World War I, Germany was denied many exports from the Allies, including rubber. In order to accommodate this detrimental loss, Germany had to look to different ways of making elastomer, which inevitably led to the invention of synthetic rubber. The first chemist to produce Styrene Butadiene rubber was German chemist, IG Farbenindustrie, in 1929. In 1933, the compound was improved on and patented as "Buna S" by two other German chemists, Eduard Tschunkur and Walter Bock. The original name literally referred to the chemical components that make up the synthetic rubber material. "Bu" stood for butadiene, "Na" for sodium, and "S" for styrene.
During World War II, the United States faced the same problem that Germany had in the previous World War. Japan had taken over most of the natural rubber plantations in Malaysia and the East Indies. Using this to their advantage, Japan restricted elastomer exports to the United States and pitted them in the same position as the Germans in World War I. The United States developed their own synthetic rubber material similar to the German's Buna S. American styrene butadiene rubber manufacturers combined a copolymer of 75% butadiene and 25% styrene. The ratio of styrene and butadiene is actually quite important because it determines the characteristics of the final product. For example, a higher amount of styrene will result in a less rubbery compound (http://www.slideshare.net/smsajl/pse-seminar-semester-6-sbr). This is important to understand because it is the characteristics of Styrene Butadiene rubber that makes it valuable.
Prior to changing its name to SBR, styrene butadiene rubber manufacturers named this all-purpose synthetic rubber material, Government Rubber-Styrene (GR-S). It became one of the most important quality synthetic rubber used, comprising about 50% of the world's total artificial elastomer production. SBR was essential to the United State's survival during World War II, because U.S. war machinery and apparatuses required elastomer for certain parts and components, such as gaskets.
In 1940, the U.S. government started a natural and synthetic elastomer program by creating the Rubber Reserve Company. However, between 1946 and 1955, artificial elastomer plantations owned by the U.S. government were either closed or sold off to private industries. Today, styrene butadiene rubber manufacturers are completely privatized productions. Styrene Butadiene rubber is still widely used for many abrasive applications, making it an important synthetic rubber material. This quality synthetic rubber is not only affordable, but has awesome abrasion resistance and longevity. SBR rubber products appear everywhere and are commonplace in various everyday machinery and apparatuses. For instance, the snowplow that cleared last year’s storm most likely will have an SBR blade on its tip. Also, SBR rubber can be found on the legs of some chairs, bike tires, seats, handle bars, windows seals, refrigerator door seals, gaskets, and so on. As the world goes on developing, we will continuing seeing how synthetic rubber impacts our society and economy.
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