Difference Between Natural Rubber and Synthetic Rubber

The main difference between natural rubber and synthetic rubber is that natural rubber is the natural polymer that is derived from a tree called Hevea brasiliensis while synthetic rubber is the man-made polymer that is manufactured under different conditions.

Natural rubber vs synthetic rubber

Natural rubber is the natural polymer; on the other hand, synthetic rubber is an artificial polymer. The natural polymer is derived from a unique plant called Hevea brasiliensis; On the other hand, synthetic rubber is the polymer that is manufactured in the laboratory under specific conditions. Natural rubber is always found in plant cells; on the opposite side, synthetic rubber always made by different polymerization techniques and emulsions.

Natural rubber is obtained by polymerizing the monomer cis-1,4-isoprene; On the other side of the coin, synthetic rubber is the man-made polymer that can be made by polymerizing different monomers into different rubbers. The quality and content of natural rubber changes according to climate, soil type, clone, and geographic area; On the other hand, synthetic rubbers can be made of different quality and content with very few impurities.

Since natural rubbers are natural, their properties cannot change; on the other hand, synthetic rubbers are manufactured depending on the application. Natural rubbers are very expensive; on the opposite side, synthetic rubbers are less expensive. Natural rubber has more resistance to temperature; on the other hand, synthetic rubbers are more resistant to temperature. The quality of natural rubber is much better than that of synthetic rubber. Natural rubber is not very specific to meet performance compared to synthetic rubbers.

Comparison chart

Natural rubber is the natural one found only in plant cells called Hevea brasiliensis. It is not very specific in nature to your required performances. Its cost is also very high since it is found in nature. It is not high quality but it does not have temperature resistance either. As it is found in nature, it is not man-made, its properties and characteristics are not variable. Natural rubber is formed by the polymerization of a single monomer called cis-1,4-isoprene.

Its quality is variable depending on the clone, type of soil, climate and geographical area. Natural rubber only has its different variety of latex. Natural rubber contains very high tensile strength and also has a regular structure. Natural rubber also has a high rate of vulcanization. Natural rubber also has many benefits and is used in many industrial applications.

The characteristics of natural rubber are very different from synthetic rubber in that it has high abrasion resistance, excellent low temperature properties, ability to bond with metal parts, excellent dynamic properties, low hysteresis loss, low level of damping, excellent dynamic performance, ease of processing and low heat build-up during warm-up. Natural rubber has many applications, including seals, rubber gaskets, vibration isolators, shock absorbers, electrical components, hoses and tubes, and transmission couplings, etc. Natural rubbers also have good resilience and physical strength and inferior oil resistance.

What is synthetic rubber?

Synthetic rubber is a man-made rubber that is not found in nature and is made in the laboratory. It is always made specific according to your required benefits. Its cost is not very high since it is man-made. Its quality and content are high and it also has resistance to temperature as it is artificial so it can be made with the required variable properties and characteristics. Synthetic rubber is made by polymerizing different specific monomers of each type.

It has a high quality according to the need with very few impurities. It can be made with different varieties of latex. Synthetic rubbers are generally the by-products of petroleum production. Synthetic rubbers have chemical, temperature, weather and solvent resistance. Some of these also have oil resistance and resistance to ozone, oxygen, certain chemicals, and a wide range of temperatures. Each synthetic rubber has its own specific and unique properties.

Synthetic rubbers generally include 20 different types of classes that have unique features and characteristics. Synthetic rubbers also do not have useful gas permeability.

Key differences

1. Natural rubber is derived from nature; on the other hand, synthetic rubber is artificial and man-made.
2. Natural rubber is always found in the plant called Hevea brasiliensis; on the opposite side, synthetic rubber always made by humans and prepared in the laboratory.
3. The cost of natural rubber is very high; on the other hand, the cost of synthetic rubbers is not very high.
4. Natural rubbers do not have any resistance to temperature; On the other side of the coin, synthetic rubbers can be made temperature resistant.
5. Natural rubber is simply found in nature and does not have any specificity towards its required performance; on the other hand, synthetic rubbers are always made specific for their required performance.
6. The quality of natural rubber varies depending on the clone, the geographical area, the type of soil, the climate, etc.; on the other hand, high quality synthetic rubber always manufactured according to need with very low impurities.
7. Natural rubber is made by polymerizing the monomer cis-1,4-isoprene, but in comparison, synthetic rubber is a variable that is made up of different monomers in each type.
8. Natural rubber is natural, so its properties cannot be changed; On the other hand, synthetic rubber is artificial so it can be manufactured according to desired properties and characteristics.
9. Natural rubber is always formed in plant cells with variable latex; on the other hand, synthetic rubber is always made by polymerization processes.

Final Thought

The above discussion concludes that natural rubber is derived from plants; On the other hand, synthetic rubber is the synthetic that is prepared in the laboratories according to certain conditions.