Natural rubber
Extracted from latex of rubber trees (such as Brazilian rubber trees), and made through processes such as solidification and drying.
The main component is polyisoprene (cis-1,4 structure), which belongs to natural polymer compounds.
synthetic rubber
Made by artificial polymerization of petrochemical products such as butadiene, styrene, etc.
Common types: styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), butadiene rubber (BR), chloroprene rubber (CR), nitrile rubber (NBR), etc.
The differences between them are as follows：
Natural rubber
Advantages: high elasticity, tear resistance, fatigue resistance, low heat generation (suitable for dynamic use).
Disadvantages: Poor oil resistance, ozone resistance, high temperature resistance, and easy aging (anti-aging agents need to be added).
synthetic rubber
Advantages: Specific properties can be obtained through chemical modification, such as:
Nitrile rubber (NBR): excellent oil resistance;
Silicone rubber: resistant to high and low temperatures (-60 ℃~250 ℃);
Chloroprene rubber (CR): flame retardant and corrosion-resistant.
Disadvantages: The overall performance (such as elasticity and strength) is usually not as good as natural rubber, and some varieties have higher costs.
Natural rubber
Tires (especially high-performance tires), medical gloves, shock absorbers, rubber shoes, etc.
Priority should be given to scenarios with high elasticity requirements.
synthetic rubber
Select based on characteristics:
Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR): tire tread, conveyor belt;
Butyl rubber (IIR): inner tube, sealing material (with good airtightness);
Ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM): automotive sealing strips, weather resistant materials.
Natural rubber
Relying on rubber tree planting, the price fluctuates greatly due to climate, pests and diseases.
Biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
synthetic rubber
The raw materials come from petroleum, and the price is influenced by the crude oil market.
Pollution may occur during the production process, and some varieties are difficult to degrade.
Rubber bands made of natural rubber have these benefits：
High elasticity and resilience
The molecular chain structure of natural rubber (polyisoprene) is regular, giving it excellent elasticity and the ability to quickly recover to its original state after stretching.
Suitable for repeated stretching scenarios (such as tying items, hairbands, etc.), not easily deformed permanently.
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Strong and durable
Good tear resistance: Natural rubber molecules have strong intermolecular forces, making rubber bands less prone to breakage and highly durable.
Fatigue resistance: The performance can still be maintained after frequent stretching.
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Flexibility and comfort
Natural rubber has a soft texture and comfortable touch, especially suitable for products that come into direct contact with the skin (such as hair rings, sports wristbands, etc.).
It remains flexible at low temperatures.
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Excellent processing performance
Natural rubber is easy to mix with vulcanizing agents and fillers, with high vulcanization (cross-linking) efficiency, simple production process, and low cost.
The hardness and tensile strength of rubber bands can be controlled by adjusting the formula.
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Environmental friendliness
Natural rubber is biodegradable and has a relatively small environmental burden after disposal.
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