A fortunate success
GOODYEAR’S DISCOVERY: RUBBER, CARBON BLACK & SULPHUR
In 1839, inventor Charles Goodyear discovered that adding a small percentage of sulphur greatly improved the properties of rubber. By accident, a mixture of rubber and sulphur ended up on his stove – a serendipitous event that changed everything. Heating rubber in this way, a process now known as vulcanisation, allowed it to remain elastic while becoming stronger and non-sticky. It was later found that adding carbon black to vulcanised rubber made it even stronger. Following Goodyear’s discovery, rubber trees were planted on a large scale worldwide, particularly in India, Ceylon and Indonesia, ensuring a global supply of rubber. In June 1844, Charles Goodyear patented his groundbreaking discovery, securing his place in the history of rubber.
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
PURE NECESSITY: THE BIRTH OF SYNTHETIC RUBBER
By the late 19th century, the rapid growth of the automotive industry made a synthetic alternative to natural rubber increasingly appealing. Petroleum proved to be a promising solution.
However, it was not until World War II that synthetic rubber production truly took off – driven by necessity. Natural rubber was extensively used in military vehicles and aircraft. A thick layer of natural rubber was applied around the planes’ fuel tanks. If a wing was pierced during combat, the kerosene would interact with the natural rubber, causing it to swell. This swelling partially sealed the hole, giving pilots a better chance of returning home. Ironically, the poor resistance of natural rubber to oil, petrol and kerosene turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
During the war, the Allies faced a critical shortage of natural rubber. Germany exacerbated the situation by torpedoing cargo ships with submarines to cut off supplies. Out of necessity, an alternative was sought, leading to the development of SBR. By the 1970s, synthetic rubber had overtaken natural rubber as the preferred material. Today, numerous types of synthetic rubber have been developed to meet various industrial needs.
