Rubber trees were originally found in the Amazon Basin of South America. Later, the Europeans introduced rubber trees to other tropical regions, such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Africa. Asia is currently the largest producer of natural rubber in the world. According to a report by World Population Review, Thailand was the leading producer of rubber in 2022 with a total production of 4,643,721 metric tons, followed by Indonesia with 3,121,474 metric tons. Vietnam secured the third position with 1,371,858 metric tons, while India and China each produced 749,000 metric tons and claimed the fourth and fifth positions respectively.

The first scientific description of natural rubber was made in 1735 by Charles-Marie de La Condamine and François Fresneau, during their expedition to South America. The name 'rubber' was coined by English chemist Joseph Priestley in 1770 when he discovered that it could rub out pencil marks. The commercial success of rubber was made possible by the invention of the vulcanization process in 1839 by Charles Goodyear.

Characteristics of Rubber Tree

Rubber trees require hot and humid climates with deep, well-drained soil to thrive. They can grow to be 65 to 130 feet (20 to 40 meters) tall and have a lifespan of up to 100 years. The trunks of rubber trees have a smooth and grey appearance, and they do not have any branches on the lower trunk. However, they grow many leafy branches at the top. The leaves of the rubber tree grow in groups of three narrow parts called leaflets. Cream-colored or yellow flowers of rubber plants produce large fruits that contain seeds for propagation.

Domestic and Commercial Uses

Rubber products are common in households. Most home appliances have rubber parts, such as rice cookers, washing machines, hair dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, stoves, and air conditioner units. Rubber is also used to manufacture various consumer products such as clothing, shoes, toys, and furniture.

Rubber is a multipurpose material that is commonly used in various industries. One of its primary applications is in the production of tires used in cars, aircraft, and bicycles. Rubber tires provide the necessary grip and shock absorption for vehicles to move safely on roads. Rubber is also widely used in engineering and construction to seal joints, dampen vibrations, and absorb force from vertical loads. Rubber-bearing pads can be used to minimize the risks of damage to a construction site. Additionally, rubber is used to produce industrial belts and hoses for power transmission and material conveyance in the manufacturing process. In sports equipment production, rubber is an essential material used in the production of balls, grips, tennis, basketball, and padding in sports such as cycling.

Rubber is an incredible material that has transformed various aspects of our lives. It's hard to imagine a life without rubber products. Natural rubber is highly elastic, resilient, and resistant to heat buildup, making it ideal for low-load flexible applications. However, synthetic rubber has its advantages, such as durability, which makes it preferable in other situations. Whether natural or synthetic, rubber's waterproof nature is unbeatable compared to other raw materials.

REFERENCE

Information form https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/rubber-tree/390324, https://dewwool.com/uses-of-rubber/, https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/rubber-production-by-country and https://www.britannica.com/science/rubber-chemical-compound/Synthetic-rubber-production was used in this story