Rubber
Rubber is an elastic substance obtained from the secretion of certain tropical plants (natural rubber) or from petroleum and natural gas (synthetic rubber). Because of its elasticity, resilience and toughness, rubber is the basic component of tires used in cars, airplanes and bicycles, for example.
The production of rubber
More than half of all the rubber produced goes to car tires, therefore the use of rubber in the automobile industry is also huge. The rest of the rubber produced goes into mechanical parts such as fasteners, gaskets, belts and hoses and consumer products such as shoes, clothing, furniture and toys.
The main chemical constituents of rubber are elastomers or “elastic polymers,” large chain-like molecules that can be stretched to great lengths and still regain their original shape.
The first common elastomer was polyisoprene, from which natural rubber is made. Natural rubber is formed in a living organism and consists of solids suspended in a milky liquid called latex, which circulates in the inner parts of the bark of many tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs.
Natural rubber continues to occupy an important place in the marketplace. Its resistance to heat build-up makes it valuable for tires used in racing cars, trucks, buses and airplanes. Yet natural rubber is only less than half of commercially produced rubber. The rest of rubber production consists of synthetically produced rubber through chemical processes.
These processes were known as far back as the 19th century, but it was not until the 2nd half of the 20th century that these processes were used commercially. The main synthetic rubbers include butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, neoprene, the polysulfide rubbers (thiocols), butyl rubber and the silicone rubber. Synthetic rubbers, like natural rubbers, can be hardened by vulcanization and, for special purposes, improved and modified by reinforcement with other materials.
Mixing elements for Rubber
Versatile Propeller Mixer for Rubber Processing
The Propeller is a workhorse in rubber processing, keeping latex, elastomers, and compounding additives in uniform suspension inside rubber process vessels. Its axial flow prevents settling and ensures consistent distribution of every component throughout the batch. Energy-efficient and reliable, it adapts to the viscosity changes typical of rubber processing without loss of performance.
Gas Inducing Mixer for Rubber Processing Reactions
The Gas Inducing Mixer draws gas directly from the headspace back into the liquid phase, boosting gas-liquid mass transfer in rubber processing. It is perfectly suited for reactions where oxygen, nitrogen, or process gases must interact efficiently with latex, elastomers, and compounding additives. By recirculating gas internally, it raises reaction rates while reducing the need for external sparging systems.
High-Flow Hydrofoil for Rubber Processing
The Hydrofoil generates high-volume axial flow, making it a powerful solution for large rubber process vessels in rubber processing. It prevents thermal stratification and keeps latex, elastomers, and compounding additives in steady motion with minimal turbulence. The optimized blade profile turns drive power into fluid motion efficiently, supporting consistent homogenization at industrial scale.
Reinforced Hydrofoil Pin for Demanding Rubber Processing
The Hydrofoil Pin combines proven hydrofoil performance with reinforced pins for tougher substrates encountered in rubber processing. Its structural design handles high-viscosity and high-solids zones where standard impellers might struggle, particularly when high viscosity and shear sensitivity becomes critical. It delivers reliable mixing where latex, elastomers, and compounding additives are demanding to handle.
Reliable Axial Flow Turbine for Rubber Processing
The Axial Flow Turbine is a dependable all-rounder for rubber processing, ensuring even distribution of heat and additives throughout rubber process vessels. It prevents stagnant zones and keeps latex, elastomers, and compounding additives in consistent motion across the vessel. Its cost-effective, robust design makes it a go-to choice for stable, continuous operation in rubber processing.
Heavy-Duty Welded Turbine for Rubber Processing
Built for maximum durability in continuous rubber processing, this welded turbine eliminates bolted connections for superior mechanical integrity. Its smooth profile resists buildup of latex, elastomers, and compounding additives and simplifies cleaning and maintenance in rubber process vessels. It is the preferred choice for industrial-scale rubber processing that demand long service intervals and high reliability.
Axial Flow Turbine Pin for Challenging Rubber Processing
Adapted for rubber processing involving fibrous materials or high solids content, this turbine uses reinforced pins to cut through high viscosity and shear sensitivity. It maintains an effective mixing zone even when the composition of latex, elastomers, and compounding additives varies from batch to batch. An essential element for facilities handling inconsistent or demanding substrates in rubber processing.
Double Acting Axial Flow Turbine for Rubber Processing
The Double Acting Axial Flow Turbine (MTE) generates both upward and downward flow, doubling mixing intensity in rubber process vessels during rubber processing. It eliminates dead zones in vessels with a wide height-to-diameter ratio and ensures complete tank turnover of latex, elastomers, and compounding additives. Ideal for operations that demand extra mixing capacity from a single impeller without adding power.
Counterflow Turbine for Complex Rubber Processing Homogenization
The Counterflow Turbine creates opposing flow patterns that deliver superior homogenization in rubber processing. It prevents the formation of dead zones in rubber process vessels and fully mixes latex, elastomers, and compounding additives, even in high-viscosity regimes. Essential when consistent results require an unusually thorough blend of every component.
Ribbon Mixer for Intensive Rubber Processing Blending
The Ribbon mixer is built for the most demanding high-viscosity stages of rubber processing. Its double-helical design creates a complex flow pattern that blends additives fully into latex, elastomers, and compounding additives, even when high viscosity and shear sensitivity comes into play. A critical element for producing rubber processing with perfectly uniform properties.
Gate Mixer for Viscous Rubber Processing
The Gate mixer is purpose-built for slow, thorough agitation of high-viscosity batches in rubber processing. Its open frame design moves latex, elastomers, and compounding additives through rubber process vessels without trapping product or damaging structure. An ideal choice for gentle yet complete mixing where fast impellers would be too aggressive.
Rushton Turbine for Intensive Rubber Processing Dispersion
The Rushton Turbine is the industry standard for high-shear gas-liquid work in rubber processing. It excels at dispersing gases, catalysts, and additives into latex, elastomers, and compounding additives inside rubber process vessels, maximizing mass transfer at every stage. The preferred choice when intensive reaction conditions and high power input are needed.
Concave Turbine for Efficient Rubber Processing Gas Mixing
The Concave Turbine is an advanced evolution of the Rushton design, delivering improved gas handling in rubber processing. Its concave blades prevent gas flooding in rubber process vessels and ensure stable power draw, even at high gas rates with latex, elastomers, and compounding additives. Ideal where reliable gas-liquid interaction is critical to process outcome.
Dispersion Turbine for Rubber Processing Emulsions
The Dispersion Turbine provides the high-shear mixing required to create stable dispersions and emulsions in rubber processing. It breaks down agglomerates and ensures fine particle distribution of latex, elastomers, and compounding additives throughout rubber process vessels. A key element in producing rubber processing with consistent texture and reliable end-use performance.
Conical Helix Mixer for High-Viscosity Rubber Processing
The Conical Helix Mixer is engineered for the most demanding high-viscosity stages of rubber processing. Its helical geometry lifts latex, elastomers, and compounding additives from the bottom of rubber process vessels to the top, ensuring full batch circulation even when high viscosity and shear sensitivity becomes severe. An ideal solution for thick, sticky products that resist conventional impellers.
Rubber market trends
The global rubber market was $40.77 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $51.21 billion by 2027. Given the steady growth in the automotive market, one of the largest consumers of rubber, this growth is expected to continue for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rubber?
Rubber is an elastic substance derived from certain tropical plants (natural rubber) or created from petroleum and natural gas (synthetic rubber). Its elasticity, resilience, and toughness make it essential for manufacturing tires used in vehicles like cars, airplanes, and bicycles.
How is rubber produced?
More than half of all rubber produced is used in car tires, while the remainder goes into mechanical parts and consumer products. Natural rubber comes from latex in tropical trees, while synthetic rubber is produced through chemical processes developed over the last century.
What are the main types of rubber?
The main types of rubber include natural rubber from polyisoprene and several synthetic varieties such as butadiene rubber and neoprene. Natural rubber is valued for its heat resistance, while synthetic options offer additional versatility for different applications through modification and reinforcement.
How does vulcanization affect rubber?
Vulcanization is a process that hardens rubber, enhancing its strength and durability. Both natural and synthetic rubbers can be vulcanized, which improves their properties significantly, making them suitable for demanding applications in various industries, particularly automotive and construction.
What is the future of the rubber market?
The global rubber market, valued at $40.77 billion in 2019, is expected to grow to $51.21 billion by 2027. The expanding automotive market, a major consumer of rubber, is likely to drive this growth further, ensuring strong demand in the coming years.
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