This document discusses the properties and applications of rubber as an insulating material. Rubber has high tensile strength, hardness, and resistance to alkalies, weak acids, oil, solvents, oxygen, ozone, and certain chemicals. It is water repellent but its structure loosens when subjected to heat. Commonly available forms include foam rubber sheets, ribbed smoked sheets, crepe rubber sheets, and solid rubber blocks. Rubber has been used as an insulator since 1870 due to its tightly bound electrons that do not conduct electricity well. Its main applications as an insulator include electrical and thermal insulation in mats, gloves, and flooring.

1. Rubber
As an insulating material
Submitted By :-
R Shabarinath
NIT
NAGPUR

2. PROPERTIES
High Tensile
Strength (10-25
MPa)
Hardness inherent
due to elastomer
structure & can also
be modified by
vulcanization
Specific Gravity –
0.96
Bulk Density -
609Kgs/cu.m
PHYSICAL
Rubber is water
repellent
Resistant to alkalies
and weak acids.
More resistance to
oil, solvents,
oxygen, ozone, and
certain chemicals
Loosening of
elastomer structure
when subjected to
heat
CHEMICAL

3. MARKET FORMS
1. Foam rubber (also known as
cellular, sponge, or expanded rubber)
refers to rubber that has been
manufactured with a foaming
agent to create an air-filled matrix
structure. Commercial foam rubbers
are generally made of natural latex.
Latex foam rubber, used in
mattresses, is well known for its
endurance.
Available usually in sheets of
thickness 10-50 mm.

4. 2.RSS Grade
Ribbed Smoked
Sheets (RSS) are
coagulated rubber
sheets processed from
fresh field latex sourced
from rubber plantations
adopting modern
processing methods.
They're categorized into
RSS 1x, RSS 1, RSS 2 etc.
Based on quality &
colour
3. Crepe Rubber
Crepe rubber is
coagulated latex that is
rolled out in crinkled
sheets and commonly
used to make soles for
shoes and boots but
also a raw material for
further processed
rubber products
Available in thin sheets
of 1-10 mm
4. Solid Rubber Block
Rubber processed into
blocks of cubes or
cuboids in various
dimensions according to
the need.
5. Concentrated Latex
Natural Latex centrifuged
and conentrated to 60%
dry rubber content. Usually
sold with preservation by
Ammonia, in liquid form

5. APPLICATION
• Rubber has been used as an
insulator since 1870.
• The tightly bound electrons are
not free to be shared by
neighbouring atoms. The
properties of rubber will also
cause the electrons to slow down
and eventually prevent them from
moving at all.
• Mainly used in electrical &
thermal insulation
Rubber Mats used as insulation mats
on walls

6. Rubber mat flooring
used in gyms etc.
Electrical insulation mat
Insulation gloves