Rubber Bands: The Making

Rubber bands are tiny little elastic rings used for tying things. Its elasticity is what makes it such a useful article. Now-a-days huge rubber bands are also being made for industrial purposes.

Now, let's have a look at how the rubber bands are actually made.

Step 1: The first thing is the formulation of rubber. Latex is mixed with other additives to evolve a specific quality holding compound. The compounds vary as per the requirements for a particular set of rubber bands.

Step 2: Next, the tubular form of rubber is processed through a machine called “extruder”. The process is quite similar to the manufacturing of manicotti noodles or hollow pastas.

Step 3: A mandrel or a circular pipe is fitted into a length of the extruded tubing after which it is heated in a pressurized steam autoclave. This heating process better known as “vulcanization”, results into the circular shape and elasticity of rubber. Technically, vulcanization causes a complex chemical change in rubber making it elastic.

Step 4: Once the rubber is vulcanized, the rubber tube coatings are removed from the mandrel and chopped into rings using a rapid speed cutter. These rings can now be called rubber bands.

Step 5: Lastly, the rubber bands are thoroughly rinsed and treated with water to get rid of the chemicals used throughout the process. Later, after a quality inspection, these rubber bands are packed into boxes for sale.