Natural Rubber

Natural rubber is made up of long isoprene polymer chains, loosely connected. The chains reattach themselves when pulled apart; this gives rubber its elasticity. As opposed to synthetic rubbers, which are made from petrochemicals, natural rubber is made from the latex sap of rubber trees (although other plants also produce latex, rubber trees are the most efficient at producing rubber, making them the suppliers of latex for 99% of natural rubber).

Natural Rubber Properties

Natural rubber has flexibility and strength, as well as impurities and vulnerability to environmental conditions and hydrocarbons. Compared to other rubbers, natural rubber is one of the most flexible types, and it’s resistant to water and certain chemicals. It’s also resistant to cutting, tearing, wear, fatigue, and abrasion, with a working range between -58 to 212 degrees F. Additionally, it has a lot of tensile strength and adheres easily to other materials.

However, natural rubber isn’t as effective at resisting heat, light and ozone as other rubbers like neoprene. The material also varies with the tree it’s produced from, as well as containing natural impurities. While natural rubber is resistant to water and some chemicals, it’s still vulnerable to fuel, oil, and non-polar solvents.