The Processes used to create a Rubber Band

6.3 Processes

Mr. Heck

Process #1 – Collect Raw Latex

• Collect Latex from Rubber trees

Process #2 – Filter Latex

Filter out sticks, leaves and bugs

Process #3 – Treat Latex with Acid to Thicken

Thickened Latex is drawn into mangle.

Process #4 – Mangle removes acid and excess moisture

Latex with extra moisture removed

Process #5 – Shred dry, but still raw Latex

It looks like shredded coconut

Process #6 – Heat raw Latex and form into blocks for shipping

Process #7 – Raw blocks of Latex received by Rubber Band Factory

Process #8 – Other chemicals measured out

Sulfur, and other chemical are measured outto be mixed with the raw latex

Process #9 – Blocks of raw latex and chemical are blended and

heated to create rubber

Process #10 – The resulting rubber has been “vulcanized”

Charles Goodyear discovered theProcess for “vulcanizing” rubberto make it stronger and last longer

Process #11 – Strips of vulcanized rubber are fed in to

the rubber band extruder

Process #12 – Extruder creates rubber “tubes”

Process #13 – Rubber “tubes” cut into rubber bands