Elastic bands are made by processing rubber with chemicals, milling it, extruding it into tubes, curing it, and finally slicing it into bands. Here's a more detailed breakdown of the process:
1. Rubber Preparation and Mixing
- Raw Material: The primary raw material is natural rubber latex or synthetic rubber.
- Chemical Additives: The rubber is mixed with various chemicals to:
- Enhance elasticity.
- Control elasticity (making it less or more stretchy).
- Add color (pigments).
- Improve durability and resistance to aging.
- Aid in the vulcanization (curing) process.
2. Milling Process
- Heating and Flattening: The rubber mixture is fed through a milling machine. This machine uses rollers to heat and press the rubber into a flat sheet. This ensures the chemicals are evenly distributed and prepares the rubber for the next stage.
3. Extrusion
- Creating the Tube: The flattened rubber is then cut into strips. These strips are fed into an extrusion machine that shapes the rubber into a long, continuous tube. The diameter of the tube determines the width of the final rubber band.
4. Curing (Vulcanization)
- Strengthening the Rubber: The rubber tube undergoes a curing process, also known as vulcanization. This involves heating the rubber, often in the presence of sulfur, to create cross-links between the polymer chains. This process dramatically improves the rubber's strength, elasticity, and resistance to heat and solvents.
5. Slicing
- Cutting into Bands: Finally, the cured rubber tube is sliced into individual rubber bands of the desired width. This slicing process is typically done by rotating blades that precisely cut the tube.
In summary, the manufacturing of elastic bands involves carefully controlled chemical mixing, mechanical processing, and curing to achieve the desired elasticity and durability.
