STUDY UNIT 11: Elastomeric fibre NATURAL RUBBER

Question 1

Rubber

Answer 1

Rubber is a manufactured elastomeric fibre in which the fibre-forming substance is natural or manufactured rubber. Rubber is a thick, gummy liquid obtained from trees of the Hevea species.

Question 2

History

Answer 2

Rubber has been used for hundreds of years, but it was in 1920 that scientists discovered that liquid rubber (latex) could be extruded in round, fine filaments.
Synthetic rubbers were developed in the 1930’s. Both natural and synthetic rubbers are used today.

Question 3

Latex manufacture

Answer 3

The rubber filaments are covered with a textile fibre such as cotton, nylon or rayon. However, the type of fibre used to cover the rubber determines the comfort, absorbency and appearance.

Question 4

Care

Answer 4

Unfortunately, rubber is very sensitive to temperature above 93 oC. It is damaged by sunlight, body oils and petroleum solvents, and will lose strength and elasticity with age. Therefore, rubber should not be washed in water above 60 oC. Rubber items should be laundered after each wearing to reduce damage from body oils, and should not be dry-cleaned. Rubber is also very sensitive to high concentrations of chlorine and may be damaged in hot spas.