Did You Know About The Accidental Invention Of Vulcanised Rubber

Invention Of Vulcanised Rubber

It is surprising to know that rubber used in items around us like tires, shoes, erasers and so many other items begins as a white, liquid type substance called latex. Latex is derived from plants. Though there are more than 200 plants species in the world that could supply latex yet the source of over more than 99 per cent of the natural rubber currently produced and processed is derived from the Hevea brasiliensis tree or commonly known as the rubber tree.

Vulcanisation of rubber refers to a chemical process in which the rubber is subjected to heat with sulphur, at around 140°C to 160°C. In the process of vulcanisation, formation of cross-links takes place between long rubber molecules which leads to improvement in various properties like elasticity, resilience, tensile strength, viscosity, etc. The word vulcanisation is derived from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge.

Earlier vulcanisation was mainly for the natural rubber in which it was treated with sulphur, However later on synthetic rubber is also vulcanised using various methods.

Rubber has been conventionally known for making various items ranging from balls, sandal soles, rubber bands, and waterproof containers and many more. But in conventional rubber items there were a lot of challenges which needed to be overcome.

For example the rubber tube tires in the 19th century used to become sticky and melted on a hot road, which led to depreciation of quality and hence eventually bursting of tires. In this regard Charles Goodyear in his series of experiments to improve the quality of rubber, invented vulcanised rubber which is discussed below in detail.

Charles Goodyear’s Experiment

In order to improve the quality of rubber for tube tires, Charles Goodyear, in the 1830s, tried to heat up rubber and mixed it with other chemicals. Due to heating, the rubber became hard which improved its various properties but the chemicals involved had no effect in enhancing the quality of the rubber. The experiment of mixing different chemicals did not result in anything substantial for a long time until one day in 1839, Charles Goodyear accidentally mixed rubber with sulphur which led to the discovery of vulcanisation of rubber. In this experiment of mixing rubber with sulphur, Charles Goodyear observed that the quality of rubber has improved in terms of its elasticity, resilience, tensile strength, viscosity and many other properties. This is how the process of vulcanisation was invented by Charles Goodyear.

Below reaction depicts the process of vulcanisation of rubber in which the vulcanisation process leads to formation of cross links between straight chain molecules when it is subjected to heat with sulphur.

Charles Goodyear obtained a patent for the vulcanisation process in the same year and by 1844 was producing the rubber on an industrial scale.

Charles Goodyear discovery of vulcanisation of rubber which involves a process of mixing rubber with sulfur in presence of high temperature led to a sort of revolution for the rubber industry as the process of vulcanisation allows the rubber to withstand the heat and cold which increases its application in various industries. The vulcanized rubber is used in Automotive tyres, life jackets, gloves, clothes, toys, aircraft parts, medical devices, etc.

More about Charles Goodyear

Charles Goodyear was Born in 1800 New Haven, USA. He was a chemist and manufacturing engineer. He was 33 years old when he decided to start research about rubber products in the 1830s.Charles goodyear invented vulcanised rubber in 1839 and was granted his first patent in 1844 but he had to fight numerous infringements in court. Goodyear died on July 1, 1860, at the age of 59. In 1898,many years after his death, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded and named after Goodyear by Frank Seiberling.

It can be said that Charles Goodyear’s vulcanised rubber invention has created a long lasting impact which has been driving the production of enormous rubber based items on an industrial scale.