PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA

College of Engineering and Technology

Department of Chemical Engineering

Synthetic Rubber

Rubber, elastomers, is a
polymeric materials characterized
by their ability of reversible
deformation due to external
deforming forces. Their
deformation rate depends on the
structure and molar mass of the deformed rubber and on external conditions
of the deformation.

A synthetic rubber is any artificial elastomer. These are mainly

polymers synthesized from petroleum byproducts. It is mainly used as the
main constituent of the tyres used on bicycles, airplanes and automobiles.
Today, synthetic rubber is mainly produced by polymerization. Synthetic
rubber can be mostly used with natural rubbers as a single polymer or in
mixtures. In Between 65% and 70% of all rubber goes into the production of
tyres. Other main applications include binders for paper coating, carpet
backing and molded articles such as thin gloves.

History of Rubber

Date Event
1909 FRITZ Hofmann was a German organic chemist who first
synthesized synthetic rubber
-methyl isoprene (2,3-DIMETYHL 1,3-BUTADIENE)
 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

1910 The first rubber polymer synthesized from

Butadiene was created in 1910 by the Russian
scientist Sergei Vasiljevich Lebedev

1931 Lebedev synthesized the first successful synthetic

rubber, neoprene

1935 Walter Bock and Eduard Tschunkur polymerized a

synthetic rubber called Buna-S from butadiene
and styrene in an aqueous emulsion.

1940s US Production of Synthetic Rubber increased from

8000 tonnes/year to 830, 000 tonnes/year from
1940-1945

TODAY All large solid-fuel military rockets and missiles use

synthetic-rubber-based solid fuel
 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Properties of Synthetic Rubber
Property
Tensile Strength (MPa)
Englongation at Tear (%)
Mooney Viscosity (100
C)
Glass Transition
Temperature (C)
Polydiversity
Categories of Synthetic Rubber
Category
Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)
Polybutadiene rubber (BR)
Isoprene rubber (IR)
Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber
(NBR)
Chloroprene rubber (CR)
Butyl rubber (IIR)
S-SBR E-SBR
18 19
565 635
48.0 51.6
-65 -50
2.1 4.5
Property
abrasion resistance, lower
elasticity, better heat and aging
resistance, excellent electrical
insulation properties
blended with SBR or
NRabrasion-resistant, good elasticity,
flexible at low temperatures
more uniform cleaner,
transparent
Oil and fuel resistant, good heat
distortion temperature properties,
abrasion resistant
Flame retardant, resistant to
grease, oil, weathering and aging,
abrasion resistant
Low permeability to gases,
 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

resistant to aging, ozone and

chemicals, good mechanical
properties, abrasion resistant, good
electrical insulation properties

Uses of Synthetic Rubber

1. Tyres: Man-made rubber is used to manufacture tyres of various types.
Today synthetic rubber is used to manufacture tyres as it is known to
be tensile and durable. It is thus considered to be one of the best
options for automobile tyres.
2. Fuel missiles: Rubber based fuels were used for launching missiles
during the Second World War. Man-made rubber can be formed into
various forms so it is widely used for space travels.
3. Scientific and Medical Field: Man-made
rubber is used in the field of science and
medicine. It is used for manufacturing
rubber gloves, orthopedic braces and
various other medical items.
4. Adhesives and Coatings: Due to its
adhesive qualities, it is used to
manufacture adhesive tapes and liquids.
5. Protective Clothing: Synthetic rubber is also used to manufacture
various types of protective clothes, boots, sleep sacks, diving suits and
so forth.
6. Tubes and Hoses: Man-made rubber is used to manufacture garden
hoses, gaskets, mechanical seals, belts and hoses. It is also used to
manufacture inner tubes, garden hoses and laboratory tubes.
Companies in the Philippines

PHILIPPINE RUBBER INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION, INC.

Location: 10-J, LPL Condominium, 17 Eisenhower St., North Greenhills
San Juan, NCR - Second District
Tel: 727-7482
 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Fax: 727-7482

MANILA RUBBER CORPORATION

Location: 50 J.P. Ramoy Road, Talipapa, Caloocan City Barangay 164
CALOOCAN CITY Metro Manila
Tel: (02) 983-1331
Fax: (02) 983-1190

POWER SYNTHETIC RUBBER

MANUFACTURING

Location: 22 Agno Street, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Manufacturing Process of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber

Raw Materials
Butadiene
Butadiene is a simple conjugated diene with the formula C4H6. It is an
important industrial chemical used as a monomer in the production of
synthetic rubber.
 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Styrene
Styrene, also known as ethenylbenzene, vinylbenzene, and
phenylethene, is an organic compound with the
chemical formula C6H5CH=CH2. This derivative
of benzene is a colorless oily liquid that
evaporates easily and has a sweet smell,
although high concentrations have a less
pleasant odor. Styrene is the precursor to
polystyrene and several copolymers. Approximately 25 million tonnes (55
billion pounds) of styrene were produced in 2010.

Chemical Reaction:
 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Equipment Unit Operation/ Unit Process

Polymerization

The butadiene and styrene undergoes

polymerization along with the catalyst
and soap solution. The reaction is only
allowed to react up to 70% and the
reaction is short stopped using
stopping substance.
Reaction Vessels
Flash Evaporation

The unreacted butadiene is removed

by making use of the low boiling point
of the butadiene.

Vacuum Flash Vessels

 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Stripping

Unreacted styrene is stripped from the

mixture by stripping towers.

Stripping Tower
Coagulation

Strips of latex is blended into the

mixture and the mixture is coagulated
into crumbs

Coagulation Unit
Dewatering

The excess water from the coagulation

unit is removed by use of the vibrating
sieve.

Horizontal Vibrating Sieve

 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Drying

The SBR is dewatered and will proceed

to the hot-air dryer to reduce the
moisture content of the dewatered
SBR

Hot-air Dryer
Baling

The baler uses hydraulic pressure to

squeeze the dry SBR into rectangular
rubber bales for easier packaging.

Baling Machine

Manufacturing Process of Tires

 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Raw Materials
Synthetic Rubber
Synthetic Rubber like other polymers, is made from various petroleum-
based monomers. The most
prevalent synthetic rubbers are
styrene-butadiene rubbers (SBR)
derived from the copolymerization
of styrene and 1,3-butadiene

Natural Rubber
 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Natural rubber is obtained from the milky

secretion (latex) of various plants, but the only
important commercial source of natural rubber
(sometimes called Par rubber) is the tree Hevea
brasiliensis.

Steel Wire
Bead wire is a hard drawn, high carbon
steel wire available in a range of wire
diameters , tensile strengths and shapes.

Carbon Black
Carbon black is used as the filler of the
tire to enhance its strength and also to act as a
colorant.

Equipment Unit Operation/ Unit Process

Rubber Compound Mixing

The Rubber, fillers, softeners, wax,

antiozonants, and curing agents are
mixed together in the rubber mixing
mill

Rubber Mixing Mill

 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Bead Wire Drawing

Bead wires are drawn to provide

support for the tires, enhancing the
mechanical properties.

Wire Drawing Machine

Rubber Coating

Sheets of nylon, polyester and steel

thinly coated with rubber on both
sides..

Rubber Coating Machine

Extruding And Calendering

The rubber compound is heated and

extruded into required shapes. It is
then cooled and cut. The inner liners
are produced by calendaring.

Extruding Machine
Tire Building

The tires are created by overlapping

the tire components and reshaping the
tire using the equipment. The end
product of this operation is the green
 PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

tire.

Tire Building Drum

Curing

The green tire is covered with a

solution to help in the curing process.
The press pushes the rubber into the
mold and because of its high
temperature the shape is retained.

Curing Press