
1098RUBBER HYDROCHLORIDE
mum of sulfur that can combine chemically with Use: Cements, adhesives, electrical insulating tapes
rubber hydrocarbon is 32%. Combustible. and cable wrapping.
Hazard: Flammable in form of dust. (2) Cured (vulcanized, i.e., sulfur cross-linkages)
Use: Battery boxes, tank linings, acid- and alkali- Properties: High tensile strength; relatively low per-
resistant equipment, combs. As dust, filler for low- manent set; insensitive to temperature changes. At-
cost rubber products. tacked by heat, atmospheric oxygen, ozone, hydro-
carbons, and unsaturated fats and oils. Insoluble in
acetone. Permeable to gases; supports combustion;
rubber hydrochloride. A hydrochloride de-
abrasion resistance poor unless compounded with
rivative, as distinct from a chlorine derivative.
carbon black; dissipates vibration shock; high elec-
Properties: Thermoplastic, white powder or clear
trical resistivity.
film; odorless; tasteless. Chlorine content
Use: Vehicle tires, hose, conveyor-belt covers, foot-
29–30.5%. Soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons. Soft-
wear, specialized mechanical products, drug sun-
ens at 110–120C. Films are highly resistant to mois-
dries, foam rubber, electric insulation, etc.
ture, oils, acids, and alkalies but tend to become
Note: Gutta percha and balata have similar chemical
brittle on exposure to sunlight. The life of such films
composition (isomeric) but have very different
is greatly extended by the incorporation of suitable
properties and few commercial uses. Neither can be
stabilizers and plasticizers. Nonflammable, non-
vulcanized. See latex; guayule; Appendix II
toxic.
for history of the industry.
Derivation: A solution of natural rubber is treated
with anhydrous hydrogen chloride under pressure
rubber sponge. (foam rubber; cellular rub-
and at low temperature. After neutralization of ex-
ber). A flexible foam produced by beating air into
cess hydrochloric acid, the product is precipitated by
heat-sensitized latex, with subsequent vulcaniza-
the addition of ethanol.
tion, or by incorporating ammonium carbonate or
Use: Protective coverings for machinery, rain cloth-
sodium bicarbonate into a strongly masticated and
ing, shower curtains, food packaging.
highly accelerated rubber mixture. As the tempera-
ture rises to the curing range, ammonia or carbon
rubber latex. See latex
dioxide is released, forming uniform pores through-
out the mixture just before the onset of vulcaniza-
rubber, liquid. Any of several proprietary
tion.
products consisting of high polymers in liquid form
Use: Vibration damping pads and inserts, rug and
for use as coatings, adhesives, etc.
carpet underlays, mattresses and upholstery, seat
cushions.
rubber, natural. (polyisoprene).
rubber, synthetic. Any of a group of manufac-
CAS: 9006-04-6. (C
5
H
8
)
x
.
tured elastomers that approximate one or more of the
properties of natural rubber. Some of these are: sodi-
um polysulfide (“Thiokol”), polychloroprene (neo-
prene), butadiene-styrene copolymers (SBR), acryl-
onitrilebutadiene copolymers (nitrile rubber),
ethylenepropylene-diene (EPDM) rubbers, synthet-
(1) Crude (unvulcanized)
ic polyisoprene (“Coral,” “Natsyn”), butyl rubber
Properties: Chemically unsaturated. D 0.92. Amor-
(copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene), polyacry-
phous when unstretched, but has oriented crystalline
lonitrile (“Hycar”), silicone (polysiloxane), epichlo-
structure on stretching; not stable to temperature
rohydrin, polyurethane (“Vulkollan”).
changes (thermoplastic), readily oxidizable by
The properties of these elastomers are widely differ-
mastication; soluble in acetone, carbon tetrachlo-
ent. All require vulcanization. In general, sulfur is
ride, and most organic solvents; refr index 1.52;
used only for unsaturated polymers; peroxides, qui-
dielectric constant 2.5. Processed by calenders and
nones, metallic oxides, or diisocyanates effect vul-
extruders; can be injection molded with low sulfur
canization with saturated types. Many are special-
and high accelerator. Cured by hot-molding or in
purpose rubbers, some can be used in tires when
open steam at temperatures from 120 to 150C after
loaded with carbon black, others have high resis-
addition of 3% sulfur, 1% organic accelerator, 3%
tance to attack by heat and hydrocarbon oils and thus
zinc oxide, plus fillers or reinforcing agents. The
are superior to natural rubber for steam hose, gaso-
only factors of significance in vulcanization are the
line and oil-loading hose. Most are available in latex
time of exposure to heat and the temperature used.
form.
Derivation: From latex obtained from Hevea trees,
coagulated with acetic or formic acid. Also made
synthetically.
rubber, thermoplastic. Any of several block
See “Coral”; “Natsyn.” copolymers of propylene/EPDM or styrene/ethyl-
Occurrence: Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia. ene-butylene. Cross-linking results from crystalli-
Grade: Ribbed, smoked sheets, pale (yellow) crepe; zation of polypropylene or polystyrene segments.
brown crepe. Since this is reversible on heating, the product is