Sofia Martinez
Rubber and plastic are both made from the same families of polymers, but they are not the same. Plastic is a broad category of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials made from various organic compounds, whereas rubber is a natural or synthetic substance with good resistance to heat and oil and high elasticity. This elasticity is what differentiates rubber from plastic, as plastic has plasticity, meaning it will remain deformed when subjected to a heavy load.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Rubber is a natural or synthetic substance with good resistance to heat and oil and high elasticity. Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material made from organic compounds. |
| Molecular Structure | Rubber has a complex molecular structure with smaller molecules. Plastic polymers have long chains and are held together by small protons, making them less elastic. |
| Elasticity | Rubber is elastic and returns to its original shape when stretched. Plastic is plastic and remains deformed when subjected to a heavy load. |
| Manufacturing Process | Natural rubber is derived from the latex sap of rubber trees. Synthetic rubber is made from petrochemicals like styrene-butadiene, ethylene propylene diene monomer, and nitrile. Plastic is made through the polymerization of monomers, usually derived from crude oil or natural gas. |
| Applications | Rubber is commonly used in products requiring high elasticity and durability, such as vehicle tires, waterproof seals, and industrial machinery components. Plastic is used for its versatility in forming various shapes and its affordability, such as in furniture and packaging. |
| Additives | Both rubber and plastic use additives to enhance their properties, such as colour and toughness. |
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What You'll Learn
Rubber and plastic are both polymers
Rubber and plastic are both made from polymers, specifically large molecules called monomers that are linked together to form long chains. Monomers are the building blocks of polymers and are composed of two carbon atoms, three hydrogen atoms, and one chlorine atom. Polymers on their own may be safe and non-toxic, but they are often made from monomers that are toxic and subject to chemical legislation.
Rubber is a natural product, mainly harvested from the latex sap of rubber trees. It is composed of organic compounds, primarily polymers of isoprene, along with water and other organic compounds. Rubber can also be obtained from the use of petroleum and gas, known as synthetic rubber. Synthetic rubber is created through various chemical reactions from petrochemicals like styrene-butadiene, ethylene propylene diene monomer, and nitrile. Natural rubber has excellent resistance to heat build-up, which is difficult to replicate in synthetic rubber.
Plastic, on the other hand, is a broad category of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials made from various organic compounds, typically derived from crude oil or natural gas. The polymerization of monomers results in long chains of polymers that give plastic its characteristic properties. Plastic can be categorized into two main types: thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics. Thermoplastics become pliable when heated and return to a solid form upon cooling, while thermosetting plastics are designed to maintain their shape even under high temperatures.
The major difference between rubber and plastic lies in their molecular structure and properties. Rubber is an elastomer, which means it has elastic properties. It can be stretched and will return to its original shape when released. This elasticity is due to the presence of many small atoms or occasionally none, giving it different properties than plastic. Plastic, on the other hand, has plasticity, which means it will remain deformed when subjected to a heavy load. This makes plastic excellent for moulding.
In summary, while rubber and plastic share a common foundation in polymers, they differ significantly in their molecular structure, resulting in distinct properties that lend themselves to unique applications.
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Rubber is an elastomer
Rubber and plastic are both polymers, but rubber is also an elastomer due to its elastic properties. Elastomers are viscoelastic, meaning they are sticky and very elastic. The word "elastomer" is shorthand for "elastic polymer".
Natural rubber is an elastomer made from the latex sap of rubber trees. Synthetic rubbers, on the other hand, are made from petroleum and gas. Synthetic rubbers now account for over half of the rubber produced annually. However, natural rubber is much more resilient and has more "spring back". It also has excellent resistance to heat build-up, which is difficult to replicate in synthetic rubbers.
The elasticity of rubber is what differentiates it from plastic. Elasticity refers to a material's ability to return to its original shape after being stretched or deformed. When released, the rubber will return to at least 90% of its original dimensions and shape at room temperature. This is why rubber is often preferred for applications that require high elasticity and durability, such as vehicle tires, waterproof seals, and industrial machinery components.
Plastic, on the other hand, has plasticity, which means it will remain deformed when subjected to a heavy load. This makes plastic excellent for moulding and forming various shapes. It is also generally more affordable than rubber.
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Natural and synthetic rubber
Rubber is a natural product, mainly harvested from the latex sap of rubber trees. It is an elastic material characterised by its high elasticity, durability, and resistance to water and specific chemicals. Rubber can be categorised into two main types: natural rubber and synthetic rubber.
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber is derived from the latex sap harvested from rubber trees. It is an organic material made up of isoprene polymers and has been used for centuries. Natural rubber is highly resilient and has more "spring back" compared to synthetic rubber. It also has excellent resistance to heat build-up, which is difficult to replicate in synthetic rubber. Natural rubber has higher tensile strength, higher tear resistance, and a less potent odour than synthetic rubber. It also resists chipping, cutting, and tearing better than synthetic rubber. Natural rubber is biodegradable and has a significantly lower negative impact on the environment than synthetic rubber.
Synthetic Rubber
Synthetic rubber is manufactured from petrochemicals like styrene-butadiene, ethylene propylene diene monomer, and nitrile. It is created through various chemical reactions. Synthetic rubber has greater durability and longevity than natural rubber due to its resistance to damage from chemicals, extreme temperatures, ozone, and sunlight. It also has superior flexibility at low temperatures and is a good electrical insulator. Synthetic rubber is easier and cheaper to produce and is ideal for use in specific situations with unique requirements. However, it is not biodegradable and has a more detrimental effect on the environment.
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Rubber's elasticity and durability
Rubber is a natural product, derived from the latex sap harvested from rubber trees. It is an elastic, flexible and resilient material that can be stretched and will return to its original shape when released. This is known as rubber elasticity. The process can be repeated many times with no apparent degradation to the rubber. The elasticity of rubber is due to its molecular structure, which consists of polymers, or large, chain-like molecules.
The discovery that natural rubber's elastic properties could be improved by adding sulphur is attributed to American inventor Charles Goodyear in 1838. This process, known as vulcanisation, was also discovered by Thomas Hancock in the UK. Vulcanisation involves adding a small amount of sulphur to produce chemical cross-links between adjacent polyisoprene molecules. This results in a giant single molecule with elastic properties.
Rubber's elasticity makes it a highly versatile material, used in a wide variety of products. It is commonly used in vehicle tyres, waterproof seals, industrial machinery components, medical equipment, and footwear. Natural rubber is also much more resilient than synthetic rubber, with greater spring back and resistance to heat build-up.
The durability of rubber is demonstrated by its ability to withstand heavy loads and return to its original shape. This makes it suitable for creating heavy-duty, blast-resistant materials in advanced warfare applications. Rubber's resistance to water and specific chemicals further adds to its durability.
In summary, rubber's elasticity and durability are inherent properties that make it a versatile and widely used material in various industries. Its ability to stretch and return to its original shape, along with its resistance and durability, contribute to its usefulness in a range of applications.
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Plastic's versatility and affordability
Although rubber and plastic are both considered polymers, rubber is also an elastomer due to its elastic properties. The major difference between plastic and rubber is that plastic has plasticity and rubber has elasticity. Elasticity means that when rubber is subjected to a heavy load, it will “spring back” to its original shape. Plasticity means that the material will remain deformed when subjected to a heavy load, making plastic very good for moulding.
Plastic is a broad category of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials made from various organic compounds. These materials are created through the polymerisation of monomers, usually derived from crude oil or natural gas. The chemical reactions in this process result in long chains of polymers that give plastic its characteristic properties.
Plastics can be used across a very wide range of temperatures and are chemical- and light-resistant. They are very strong and tough, but can be easily worked as a hot melt. They are lightweight, flexible, and have a high strength-to-weight ratio, stiffness, ductility, corrosion resistance, and outstanding durability at a relatively low lifetime cost compared with competing materials. They are also non-toxic and have high thermal/electrical insulation.
The versatility of plastics means they can be used for a wide range of applications, including surgical gloves, straws for people with disabilities, and packaging. They are also used in furniture, from chairs to tables, as a lightweight and durable option.
However, plastic has severe environmental and public health impacts. It is estimated that the world produced more than 460 million metric tons of plastic in 2019, double the amount produced in 2000. More than half of non-fibre plastic comes from plastic packaging, much of which is for single-use items.
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Frequently asked questions
No, rubber is not a type of plastic. Although both are considered polymers, rubber is also labelled as an elastomer due to its elastic properties. The major difference between plastic and rubber is that plastic has plasticity and rubber has elasticity.
Rubber is an elastic, flexible, and resilient material that can be created by extracting the sap from latex trees (Natural Rubber) or obtained from the use of petroleum and gas (Synthetic Rubber).
Plastic is a broad category of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials made from various organic compounds. These materials are created through the polymerization of monomers, usually derived from crude oil or natural gas.
Plastic polymers usually have long chains and are held together by very small protons, making them less elastic. On the other hand, rubber has a much more complex molecular structure, giving it different properties than plastic.
