4.

3 Synthetic Rubber (d) Disposal of non-biodegradable synthetic rubber

can contaminate the soil.
A Synthetic Rubber
6. The 3R practice, namely __________, ___________,
1. Synthetic rubber is an artificial polymer produced in
and __________ should be practiced for materials
a manufacturing plant by synthesising it from
made of rubber in order to reduce load for the
petroleum and other minerals through a
elimination of this solid waste.
_________________ process.
Exercise 4.3
2. Several examples of synthetic rubber such as
___________, ___________, and ___________. 1. What is meant by synthetic rubber?

3. Synthetic rubber is more durable, more heat- ____________________________________________

resistant, more flame-resistant, remains flexible at
low temperatures and more resistant to grease and
on compared to natural rubber.
B Use of Natural Rubber and Synthetic Rubber
____________________________________________
2. Laptops cover, diving clothing, aerospace
equipment and medical equipment are among the
materials produced through synthetic rubber.

1. ______________ is a synthetic rubber produced by Justify the advantages of synthetic rubber in the
the polymerisation of chloroprene. This rubber is used production of these materials.
in manufacturing of sports and medical equipment,
____________________________________________
laptop covers, diving clothing, dry suits and safety
____________________________________________
gloves.
____________________________________________
2. ______________ is produced from styrene and
3. Synthetic rubber is widely used in the industry and
butadiene monomers. BR is more resistant to abrasion
manufacturing. Diagram 4.18 shows the percentage of
and oxidation. I his causes JBR being widely used in
the use of synthetic rubber.
the production of tires, automotive parts and
machinery.

3. ______________ is a synthetic rubber containing

silicon together with other molecule such as carbon,
hydrogen and oxygen. This rubber has a good
resistance to temperatures in the range of 100 oC to
250 °C. At extreme temperatures, this rubber has
better tensile, elongation and resistance strength than
natural rubber. This rubber is widely used in industries
such as aerospace automotive, construction, medical,
electrical, electronics and food processing.
4. Natural rubber is used to produce various products
such as shoes, mattresses and others.
5. Natural rubber and synthetic rubber are not easily
decomposed. Unmanaged disposal of natural rubber
and synthetic rubber can contaminate water, soil and
air.
Example:
(a) Used tires can hold water and become breeding
ground for aedes mosquitoes.
(a) Based on Diagram 4.8, state the main use of
synthetic rubber.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
(b) Around 5% of synthetic rubber is used in the
manufacture of shoes. State two characteristics of
synthetic rubber which are suitable for making shoe
sales.
1. __________________________________________
2. __________________________________________

(b) Combustion of used materials made from rubber

can pollute the air.

(c) Disposal of substance made of rubber into rivers

and seas can pollute water sources.