Category Chemistry

Why is rubber used to make tyres?

           Rubber is the most preferred material to make tyres. It is an elastic polymer formed by the addition of isoprene monomers. When stretched, the monomer chains arrange themselves in a linear fashion.

           Rubber does not transfer heat. It is flexible and easy to mould into any shape. It has a greater friction as well. These qualities are desirable for tyres. In addition to this, it can be strengthened using additives that would make it strong, flexible and durable.

           Rubber melts at temperatures above 180 degrees celsius. Some of you might have visited rubber plantations. Have you ever smelled rubber while it is being made into sheets? It produces a severe bad odour while it is being processed. This is because of the production of hydrogen sulphide gas due to several chemical reactions.

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Who was the first person to vulcanize rubber?

           Have you heard of Goodyear tyres? Goodyear is a leading tyre manufacturer in the world. This American company was named so to commemorate Charles Goodyear, an American chemist and manufacturing engineer, the man who found out that rubber could be strengthened by the process of vulcanization.

           Before vulcanization was discovered, people found it difficult to make useful products out of rubber. Rubber would get sticky at high temperatures and harden in cold climates. Goodyear accidentally dropped a piece of rubber in sulphur and he discovered that it became more stable and flexible afterwards due to some chemical change. It had more strength than before. Since then, rubber is treated with sulphur to enhance its desirable properties and this chemical treatment is known as vulcanization.

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Which are the products made of rubber?

           How would you erase the mistakes that you make while writing with a pencil if not with an eraser? Erasers are made of rubber. This sticky, white substance obtained from the rubber tree is modified and made into several useful products.

           All the tyres of your cars, bikes and bicycles are made of rubber. The soles of your shoes, slippers, and swimsuits, swimming caps, collars of pet animals, boots, balls, gloves and seals are rubber in different forms.

           Birthday celebrations are incomplete without balloons, and guess what? Most of the balloons are made of rubber. The floating tubes that you play with in the swimming pool, rubber bands, mouse mats of computers, airbags… well, the list is endless! Look at the ducting of your cars, refrigerator or washing machine. All of that is rubber. Needless to say, rubber is an important polymer.

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How are microorganisms related to the process of polymerization?

          There are millions and millions of microorganisms around us which thrive in a variety of conditions. Some of these microorganisms play a part in the synthesis of polymers. Wonder how?

           Some microorganisms can live in extreme conditions. There are some thermal resistant bacteria that can withstand temperatures as high as 350 degrees Celsius and they are used in chain growth polymerization. It is a mechanism of polymerization in which monomers get added to a growing polymer chain. Some of these microorganisms are also used in the production of medicines.

           Apart from this, there are millions of tiny creatures in the sea that sink into the seabed when they die. Calcium carbonate is a common inorganic substance found in organisms that do not easily decompose. It piles up in the seabed and forms huge deposits of chalk and lime with the passing of time which is later used for making useful polymers like plastic and polyvinyl chloride.

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Is cartilage a polymer?

               Cartilage is a soft, yet firm tissue which performs some important functions in our body. It’s a flexible tissue found in the joints that connects bones. It also helps in the formation of bones. Cartilage too is a polymer.

               Cartilage is a protein made of amino acids. It is not only present in human beings, but also in other animals and some fishes. A fish with cartilage is commonly known as cartilaginous fish. Cartilage is tough, flexible and provides enough structural support.

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Were roads named after polymers?

          It will be ridiculous to name a road after polypropylene or polystyrene. But there is an important route in world history that was named after a polymer. Remember the Silk Road?

          The Silk Road is an ancient trade route that connects Asia and the Mediterranean Sea. It is named so because silk from China was a major article of trade then. As we all know, silk is a polymer which is used for making fine clothing. But, that is not the only use of silk.

           Silk is also used for making other products like sleeping bags, surgical sutures and bedding. Till some time ago, it was even used to make parachutes. Nylon was synthesized as an alternative for silk, but it does not possess all of its qualities.

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