Rubber and plastic products are functional materials made primarily from natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or plastics through processes such as formulation, mixing, molding, and vulcanization (for rubber).Their working principles are based on the material's elasticity, plasticity, corrosion resistance, and barrier properties, playing a key role in industries such as industry, construction, and medicine.
From a mechanical perspective, the core properties of rubber and plastic products stem from their molecular chain structure. Rubber's high elasticity stems from the reversible deformation of long-chain polymers under stress: when an external force stretches, entropy reduction drives the molecular chains to extend; when the force is removed, thermal motion causes the chains to retract into a disordered coiled state, restoring their original shape. This property makes rubber widely used in applications requiring dynamic response, such as seals and shock absorbers. The rigidity of plastics, on the other hand, relies on van der Waals forces or crosslinking between polymer chains. By adjusting crystallinity or adding fillers (such as glass fiber), strength and toughness can be balanced to meet the load-bearing requirements of structural components.
To achieve their functions, rubber and plastic products achieve their effects through physical barriers or chemical modifications. For example, polyethylene (PE) pipes, thanks to their low gas permeability and chemical resistance, are ideal for fluid transport. Nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), with its outstanding oil resistance, is often used in automotive fuel system seals. Furthermore, foaming processes can reduce material density and enhance thermal insulation, making it suitable for thermal insulation. Conductive carbon black fillers impart antistatic properties to plastics, ensuring the safety of electronic components.
Modern rubber and plastics technologies further optimize performance through blending and nanocompositing. For example, thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), formed by the dynamic vulcanization of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and polypropylene (PP), combine the elasticity of rubber with the ease of plastic processing, driving the development of lightweight design. The essence of rubber and plastic products lies in the precise manipulation of the material's microstructure, transforming basic polymers into functional carriers for specific applications.