Rubber

Overview

Natural rubber, also called China rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer (an elastic hydrocarbon polymer) that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined into a usable rubber. The purified form of natural rubber is the chemical polyisoprene, which can also be produced synthetically. Natural rubber is used extensively in many applications and products, as is synthetic rubber. It is normally very stretchy and flexible and extremely waterproof.

Research

• Rubber from Dandelions

Product Ecology

Uses

• Sulfer - Vulcanization

Creates

• Seals
• Hoses
• Belts
• Wheels
• Rubber Bands
• Bearings

GVCS

• Hydraulic Motor - Seals, tubes
• Power Cube - Hydraulic Hoses
• Car/Truck - Wheels
• Steam Engine - Bearings
• Battery - Strips
• Milker - Teat liners, hoses

See Also

• Wikipedia: Rubber
• Wikipedia: Synthetic Rubber
• Wikipedia: Latex
• Wikipedia: Vulcanization