To this day, rubber remains an integral part of modern manufacturing. However, modern industrial-use rubber is drastically different than the natural rubber that was derived from the Hevea brasiliensis tree.
Despite the development of advanced materials, professionals across hundreds of industries still rely on rubber-based products. Below, we’ll provide a brief overview of the rubber industry, including how it began. We also discuss the various applications of this ultra-durable material.
The History of Rubber
The modern rubber industry can trace its roots back to the 18th century. In the year 1736, Charles-Marie de La Condamine encountered rubber trees while on an expedition to South America. He harvested samples of the juices from these trees and sent them back to Europe.
Eventually, a British scientist named Joseph Priestly discovered that he could use the material to rub pencil marks off from the paper. Hence, he dubbed the substance “rubber.” Gradually, people began using rubber to waterproof their personal effects. However, the true potential for this versatile material was not realized until nearly a century later.
Natural rubber had two significant weaknesses. It hardened in the cold and softened when exposed to heat. Charles Goodyear eliminated these shortcomings when he invented vulcanization in 1839. Simply put, vulcanization is a sort of curing process that makes rubber substantially more durable. Goodyear’s vulcanization process was the catalyst that created the modern rubber industry.
With the invention of rubber-wheeled vehicles, demand for vulcanized rubber surged. Eventually, demand increased so much that it outpaced natural production. As a result, several nations began seeking ways to cultivate a synthetic alternative. DuPont released the first fluorocarbon rubber, Viton, in the late 1950s. By the 1960s, the global rubber industry was producing more synthetic materials than natural rubber.
What Is Fluorocarbon Rubber?
Viton is a prominent trade name for fluorocarbon rubber. This synthetic rubber is a specific type of fluorocarbon-based fluoroelastomer material. Fluorocarbon rubbers are used for applications that will be exposed to extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals. Specifically, they are resistant to substances such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, greases, oils, fuels, and more.
Fluorocarbon rubber is available in several different variations, including a copolymer (composed of two compounds), terpolymer (composed of three compounds), and tetrapolymer (composed of four compounds). Each type has unique benefits and should be used for specific applications.
Rubber Industrial Use Cases
Even though many other unique manufacturing materials have been developed since Viton was created, fluorocarbon rubber remains an important part of manufacturing. It is used to create hundreds of parts and components.
A few common use cases for fluorocarbon rubber include:
Sealing
Perhaps one of the most common industrial applications of rubber is as a sealing material. Rubber seals are extremely durable and can withstand large variations in temperature. In addition, rubber seals are fire resistant and can insulate electricity.
Fasteners
Rubber is frequently used in conjunction with metal fasteners. Rubber gaskets, spacers, bushings and washers create an extremely effective seal that keeps potentially damaging liquids from seeping out of industrial equipment.
These seals also keep external substances out so that they do not contaminate fuel, oil and other fluids.
O-Rings
O-rings are another vital component of industrial equipment. O-rings are subjected to extreme temperatures and pressures. The attributes of fluorocarbon rubber make it the perfect material to create durable o-rings that will withstand even the most taxing environments.
As you can see, synthetic rubbers are and will continue to be essential materials for a multitude of manufacturing applications.
