Rubber Products [JM]

TYPES OF NATURAL RUBBER PRODUCTS

NR Latex concentrate: Dry Rubber: Centrifuged latex

Creamed latex Evaporated latex Dry Rubber: Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS) Air-dried Sheets Pale Crepes
*Conventional Grades

Technically Specified Rubbers (TSR)

TSR were first introduced into the market by Malaysia in 1965 as the Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR).
SMR graded by: source of the rubber properties There are: SMR L SMR CV SMR GP SMR 10,20 & etc.

Other forms of natural rubber

Oil-extended Natural Rubber (OENR) Deproteinised Natural Rubber (DPNR) Peptised Rubber Powdered Rubber Superior Processing Rubbers (SP) Heveaplas MG Rubbers (MG) Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR) Thermoplastic Natural Rubber (TPNR)

Product Applications Tyres

In passenger-car bias-ply tyres, NR is used only in the carcass as well as the side walls, where the hot tear resistance, adhesion and tack of NR are used to advantage. In commercial vehicles, the amount of NR used increases with the size of the tyre. In large earthmover tyres, for example, almost 100% NR is used due to the requirements of low heat generation and high cutting resistance. Natural rubber is used in blends with halobutyl rubbers in the inner liner tubeless tyres.

Mechanical Goods (Industrial Products)

This include a large variety of products such as hose, conveyor belts, rubber linings, gaskets, seals, rubber rolls, rubberized fabrics,etc. In these products, the choice of elastomers is made on the best compromise between price and performance.
Engineering Products The softness of a natural rubber component in different directions may be varied independently by the judicious use of shape effects. In dynamic applications such as springs, and vibration mountings, bushings, and so forth, high fatigue resistance, good strength, and durability are additional points in favour of NR. In other applications such as bridge bearing, factors such as weathering, ozone resistance, and low temperature flexibility are also important. NR is now accepted as suitable for use in bridge bearings, in place of, neoprene. Latex Goods NR latex has now been largely replaced by polyurethane in foam for upholstery and bedding. The main uses of latex are in dipped goods, foam, carpet backing, thread and adhesives. Footwear Natural rubber is extremely suitable for rubber footwear manufacturing. Its use is limited only by cost.

TECHNICALLY SPECIFIED RUBBER (TSR) PRODUCTS

SMR L: light-coloured rubber from high quality of field latex

superior heat ageing resistance excellent vulcanizate  properties high TS, E & EB Application ideal choice for production of light-coloured / translucent products such as:
shoe soles pressure-sensitive tapes surgical and pharmaceutical products industrial printing rollers gaskets

SMR CV: constant viscosity

produced from high quality field latex, has a Mooney viscosity stabilized within a narrow range generally softer than the non viscosity- stabilized grades, it increases the productive capacity of mixing equipment.

Application of SMR CV high quality products

mechanical mountings for engines and machinery bridge bearings vehicle suspension systems large truck tire treads, conveyor belt covers cushion gum for tire retreading masking tapes injection molded products including rubber/metal bonded components industrial rolls rubber cements. *It is frequently blended with other grades of NR to optimize cost and balance of other properties such as viscosity.

SMR GP: general purposes

Made from 60:40 mixture of latex-grade sheet rubber and field coagulum. Dark colored rubber
Application: Make it suitable for tire production Plasticizer in SMR GP gives beneficial to tire manufacturers.

SMR 10 Produced from clean and fresh field coagulum of from sheets that have not been through the smoking process.
Application: It can be usedfor tires cushion gum stocks joint rings by injection molding microcellular sheets for upholstery and packing conveyor belts footwear.

SMR 20 Application: It is produced mostly from field coagulum
Its low viscosity and easier mixing characteristic Application: It is used mostly for tires cushion gum stock bicycle tires micro-cellular sheet for upholstery and packing conveyor belts footwear and other general products.

PROPERTIES & USES OF NATURAL RUBBER

Natural rubber has certain unique properties such as follows:

• Natural rubber combines high strength (tensile and tear) with outstanding resistance to fatigue.
• It has excellent green strength and tack which means that it has the ability to stick to itself and to other materials which makes it easier to fabricate.
• It has moderate resistance to environmental damage by heat, light and ozone which is one of its drawback.
• The natural rubber has excellent adhesion to brass-plated steel cord, which is ideal in rubber tyres.
• It has low hysteresis which leads to low heat generation, and this in turn maintains new tyre service integrity and extends retreadability.
• The natural rubber has low rolling resistance with enhanced fuel economy.
• It has high resistance to cutting, chipping and tearing.

Uses of Natural Rubber:

• Natural rubber forms an excellent barrier to water.
• This is possibly the best barrier against pathogens such as the AIDS virus (HIV). That is the reason why latex is used in in condoms and surgical and medical examination gloves.
• Natural rubber is an excellent spring material.
• Natural rubber latex is also used in catheters, balloons, medical tubes, elastic thread, and also in some adhesives.
• Other than rayon, it is the sole raw material, which is used by the automotive industry.
• Rubberwood is another byproduct of natural rubber which is growing in importance. It is a source of charcoal for local cooking.