Natural Rubber

Natural rubber is a natural polymer. Natural rubber is obtained from the latex secreted by rubber tree. Latex is a colloid. It consists of rubber particles dispersed in water. Natural rubber is poly(isopropene). Its monomer is 2-metyhlbuta-1,3-diene or isopropene. Each isopropene molecule contains two pairs of double bonds.
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The isopropene molecules undergo addition polymerization to produce a long-chain molecule called poly(isopropene) Each rubber particles is made up of many long-chain rubber molecules, enclosed by a protein-like membrane which is negatively charged.

Latex

Long chain rubber molecules

Negatively-charge protein membrane

Rubber particle

Polymerization of Isopropene
Isoprene Isoprene Isoprene
H CH3 H H H CH3 H H H CH3 H H + + CCCC CCCC CCCC H H H H H H

polymerization
H CH3 H H H CH3 H H H CH3 H H CCCC CCCC CCCC H H H H H H

Repeated unit in polymer

Coagulation process of latex

Rubber particle

Rubber particle has negatively-charged protein membrane. The repulsion between the negatively-charged particles prevents the rubber particles from coming close to each other. Latex could not coagulate.

Q: So what causes the latex to coagulate?

+ + +

+ + + + + +

+ +

+ + +

When an acid is added, the hydrogen ions, H+ neutralize the negative charges on the protein membrane. Q: Can you named the acid that usually used to coagulated the latex in rubber industry? A: Ethanoic acid also known as acetic acid. [notes: all acid solutions can make latex coagulate]

Q: What do you think will happen next?

The rubber particles now come close together. This enable them to collide with one another resulting in the breakage of the protein membrane. The rubber molecules/polymer combine with one another and entangle. Thus, causing the latex to coagulate. EASY lah Q: The coagulation of latex will also occur if latex is exposed
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to air. Why? A: Bacteria from air can enter latex. The growth and spread of bacteria produce lactic acid that causes the process above. Q: Named the substance can be used to preserve latex in liquid state? Explain. A: Ammonia, NH3. NH3 solutions contains hydroxide ions, OH- that neutralised the acid/hydrogen ions, H+ produced by the bacteria. The rubber particles remain negatively charged and the coagulation is prevented. [notes: all alkaly solutions also can be used]

Properties of natural rubber

Soft Elasticity decreases over time. Easily oxidized by air. Sensitive to heat. When heated, it becomes sticky. When cooled, it becomes hard and brittle.

Vulcanization of rubber
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Properties of rubber can be improved through vulcanization.

Vulcanization is a process whereby rubber is reacted with sulphur to improved its properties.
Q: How the vulcanization process is carry out in industry? A: 1st method: Latex is heated with sulphur, or 2nd method: Rubber products are exposed to disulphur dichloride, S2Cl2.

Q: Compare and contrast the properties of vulcanised and

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unvulcanised rubber. Similarities Vulcanised and unvulcanised rubber is elastic, and heat and electrical insulator Differences [notes: draw a table] Properties Elasticity Hardness Tensile strength Resistance to heat Vulcanised rubber More elastic Harder Stronger Unvulcanised rubber Less elastic Softer Weaker Cannot withstand temperature Easily oxidized Become soft and sticky easily

Can withstand higher temperature Resistance to Less easily oxidation oxidized Effect of organic Does not become solvent soft and sticky easily

Q: Why?
CC CC
C S S C C S S C S S C C S S C C S S C C S S C

CC

CC CC

CC

vulcanisation

CC

CC

CC

CC

Natural rubber

Vulcanised rubber

C S S C C S S C S S C C

C S S C C S S C S S C C

Rubber molecules

Cross-linkage of sulphur atoms

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A: Improved properties of vulcanised rubber is due to the presence of cross-linkage of sulphur atoms between the rubber molecules. Q: How the cross-linkage of sulphur atom improve elasticity and strength of the vulcanized rubber: A: When vulcanised rubber is streched and released, the cross linkage pull the chains back to their original arrangement. Q: Why vulcanized rubber more resistant to heat and organic solvent? A: The presence of sulphur cross-linkage increases the size of rubber molecules. Q: Why vulcanized rubber more resistant to oxidation? A: Vulcanized rubber has much lesser carbon-carbon double bond.

Uses of natural rubber

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Home Work Review Questions pg 100 - 102 i. objective (no. 1-8) ii. subjective questions (1 and 2) iii. essay (no. 1c)

SPM Question (2006)

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Diagram 2 shows the stretching phases of a vulcanised rubber and an unvulcanized rubber strands.
Stretching phases Length of vulcanized Length of rubber unvulcanized rubber

Before

45 mm

45 mm

During

59 mm

60 mm

After

45 mm

50 mm

Diagram 2 Plan an experiment to compare one characteristic shown in Diagram 2 for both types of rubber. Your planning should include the following aspects: (a) Aim of the experiment (b) All the variables (c) Statement of the hypothesis (d) List of substances and apparatus (e) Procedure of the experiment (f ) Tabulation of data [17 marks]
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Answer (i) Problem statement: Does vulcanized rubber is more elastic than unvulcanized rubber? (a) Aim: To compare the elastic properties between vulcanized rubber and unvulcanized rubber.
(b)

List of variable: Manipulated variable = Type of rubber Responding variable = Elasticity // length of rubber strip during and after stretching phase.
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Fixed variable

= Original length of rubber strip // Length/size/mass of rubber (before stretching phase)

(c) Hypothesis: Vulcanized rubber is more elastic than unvulcanized rubber. // sk3 The more elastic of the rubber, the less length of the rubber during and after stretching phase. // sk2 Rubber that is more elastic shows less length when/after it has been stretched. sk3 (iv) List of materials and apparatus: Vulcanized rubber, unvulcanized rubber, Meter ruler, 50 g weight, retort stand and clamp, clip, thread.

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Clip Rubber strip Retort stand with clamp Thread Weight 50 g

(vi) Procedure : 1. Clip is used to hung the strip of vulcanized rubber. 2. The original length of the vulcanized rubber is measured. 3. A weight of 50 g is hung on the strip of vulcanized rubber. 4. The increased in length of the vulcanized rubber strip is measured. 5. The weight is removed. 6. The final length of the vulcanized rubber strip is measured. 7. Step 1 to 6 are repeated using unvulcanized rubber.

(vii) Tabulation:

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Type of rubber strip Vulcanized rubber unvulcanized rubber

Original length /mm

Final Length when weight is hung /mm

Final length when Increase in weight is length /mm removed /mm

45 45

59 60

14 15

45 50

HOT SPOT SPM 2008

Prepared by; Kamal Ariffin B Saaim SMKDBL

Manipulated variable:

Action to be taken:

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Responding variable:

Action to be taken:

How the variable responds?:

Fixed variable:

Action to be taken:

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