Just in case you were born before 1845 - and if you were man are you old - here's the official Wikipedia definition. "A rubber band (in some regions known as a binder, elastic or lacker band or gumband in Australia) is a short length of rubber and latex formed in the shape of a loop. Such bands are typically used to hold multiple objects together." We all know that the best use for a rubber band is to shoot it... even better when it doesn't graze your finger. Ouch!
Before the rubber band-making process can begin, heres a quick fact on where the rubber comes from. Rubber grows on plantations in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the west coast of Africa. Every other day, a 2mm swath is shaved in the bark of mature rubber trees (called Hevea Brasiliensis). Rubber sap slowly drips into a cup, along with a white sap known as latex. The sap is collected, coagulated, dried, and pressed into sheets and blocks of rubber, which is then used to make tires, hoses, molding, and, of course, rubber bands!
So, now that you are up on your rubber knowledge, here's the easy five-step process on how rubber bands are made... well, it's not exactly easy, but it is a process.
- Step 1: The rubber is formulated. Combining the latex (except in latex-free applications) plus other additives achieves specific qualities for the end compound. Compounds vary, according to the desired properties for the rubber bands.
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- Step 2: The rubber compound is processed through a machine called an "extruder" to form it into tube shape. It's very similar to the way that manicotti noodles or other "hollow" pastas are made... only the end result is a lot chewier!
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- Step 3: A round pipe or "mandrel" is placed into a length of the extruded tubing, and then it is subjected to heat in a pressurized steam autoclave. This pipe forms the round shape of the rubber band, and the heating process is referred to as "vulcanization." Vulcanization causes a complex chemical change to occur in the rubber. But in layman's terms, vulcanizing gives rubber its elasticity and other desirable properties so that it's useful.
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- Step 4: The rubber sleeves are removed from the mandrel, and the vulcanized tubing is cut into "rings" using a high-speed cutter. These rings are "rubber bands."
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- Step 5: The rubber bands are thoroughly washed and dried to remove chemicals used in the processing steps above. After quality inspection, rubber bands are packed into bags or boxes for distribution. Today, many rubber bands are also imprinted or receive other "secondary" operations to improve their utility.
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