Do you understand the structure of rubber?

Branch structure: The aggregation of branched rubber macromolecular chains forms a gel. The gel is detrimental to the performance and processing of rubber. During rubber compounding, various additives often cannot enter the gel zone, creating local voids, preventing the rubber fender from achieving reinforcement and cross-linking, which becomes a weak point in the product.

Cross-linked structure: Linear molecules are interconnected through some atoms or atomic groups, forming a three-dimensional network structure. It indicates that as the vulcanization process progresses, this structure continuously strengthens. Thus, the free movement ability of the chain segments decreases, plasticity and elongation decrease, while strength, elasticity, and hardness of the rubber fender increase, and permanent deformation under compression and swelling decrease.

Excerpt: The aggregation of branched rubber macromolecular chains forms a gel. The gel of the rubber fender is detrimental to the performance and processing of insulating rubber sheets. During rubber compounding, various additives often cannot enter the gel zone, creating local voids, preventing the rubber fender from achieving reinforcement and cross-linking, which becomes a weak point in the product.

Linear structure: The common structure of uncured rubber. Due to the large molecular weight, the rubber fender's macromolecular chains are in a randomly coiled state without external force. When external force is applied and then removed, the entanglement of the rubber fender's coils changes, and the molecular chains rebound, producing a strong tendency to recover, which is the origin of rubber's high elasticity.