Depending on where it comes from, rubber can be divided into natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

Latex, a milky-white liquid produced by the rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis) or other plants, is the source of natural rubber.

Conversely, synthetic rubber is a man-made polymer made from petroleum waste. Rubber is now thermoplastic, squishy, and sticky and has low tensile strength and elasticity.

The qualities of both natural and synthetic rubber can be enhanced by vulcanization, turning them into a strong, hard, non-thermoplastic substance with increased tensile strength.

The vulcanization process involves three stages:

The crosslinking process begins at a temperature between 180 °F (82 °C) and 230 °F (110 °C) during the flow duration of the induction step.

Permanent crosslinks are created during the curing stage, which is ultimately influenced by the rubber’s composition, activity level, reaction time, temperature, and curing stage conditions.

All of the qualities in the rubber compound are generated as the curing process progresses to the point where it reaches its elastic behaviour in the final stage, also known as the optimum condition of cure.

The specimen dimensions for NextGen’s Oscillating / Automatic Disc Rheometer (ODR) are 5 centimetres.

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