With a comprehensive network upstream and downstream, we are able
to capitalize on our competitive advantage to offer quality products
to our customers on a timely basis.
We deal in different grades and types of rubber including, technical
specified rubber, latex, smoked sheets, compound
rubber, synthetic rubber and rubber-related
products such as tires, rubber woods, etc.
For enquiries on our products and services, please email to enquiries@r1international.com or contact us at
your nearest location.
Natural rubber, in its milky sap, is tapped from the Hevea
Brasiliensis tree. Most of the latex is either processed into sheets
or solid
crumb rubber. It can also be kept in its liquid form through use
of chemicals to prevent the latex from coagulation. In the solid
form, the rubber sheets or crumbs are used in the manufacture of
solid rubber based products, eg. tyres etc, while the liquid form
is used for dipping products such as gloves, balloons and condoms.
Technically Specified Rubber (TSR)
Rubber grading under TSR was established in the early 1970s. The
rubber is graded by its dirt, ash, nitrogen content, volatile matter
content and plasticity retention index.
They have
good processing characteristics and physical properties. Usually,
such grades of rubber are high in green strength, tack, easy to mix
and has low viscosity.
Common sources of TSR include Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India,
Vietnam etc. Depending on the countries the rubber is from, the rubber
labeled accordingly. SMR, Standard Malaysia Rubber, is from Malaysia.
SIR, Standard Indonesia Rubber, is from Indonesia.
These are used in high performance passenger tyres, motorcycle and
bicycle tyres, heavy load truck tyres, conveyor belt, inner tubes
and hose.
There are other grades of rubber which are not listed here. R1
trades all these other grades of rubber too.
A Typical Technical Specification of Standard Malaysian
Rubber (SMR):
| |
SMR10 |
SMR20 |
Dirt % wt max
|
0.08 |
0.16
|
| Ash % wt max |
0.75 |
1.00 |
| Nitrogen % wt max |
0.60 |
0.60 |
| Volatile matter % wt. max |
0.80 |
0.80 |
| Acetone extract % wt max |
5.00
|
5.00 |
| Copper content max |
8 PPM |
8 PPM |
| Manganese content max |
10 PPM |
10 PPM |
| Po Min (Plasticity) |
30.00
|
30.00 |
| PRI % min |
50.00 |
40.00 |
| Mooney Viscosity |
70.00 - 90.00 |
70.00 - 90.00 |
Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS)
Ribbed Smoked Sheets, or
air dried sheets are commonly known as RSS. It can be graded into
RSS1 to RSS5, with RSS1 as top grade.
It is usually packed in large bales of 111.11kg/bale or 19 metric
tons per 20 foot FCL.
The different grades are determined by the percentage of particles
in the rubber sheet.
| Grade |
Unacceptable Conditions |
Acceptable Conditions |
| RSS1 |
Oxidized spots, weak heated, under-cured,
over-smoked, opaque and burnt sheet are not acceptable. |
Slight traces of dry mould on the packaging
are acceptable but mould should not penetrate inside the bale.
Small scattered pinhead bubbles are permissible. |
| RSS2 |
Oxidized spots, weak heated, under-cured,
over-smoked, opaque and burnt sheet
are not acceptable |
Slight traces of rust and dry mould on the
packaging and interior sheets are acceptable but it should not
be >5% of the bales sampled. Small bubbles and slight specks
of bark are permissible. |
| RSS3 |
Oxidized spots, weak heated, under-cured, over-smoked, opaque
and burnt sheet
are not acceptable |
Slight traces of rust and dry mould on the packaging and interior
sheets are acceptable but it should not be >10% of the bales
sampled. Small bubbles, slight specks of bark, slight blemishes
in colour are permissible. |
| RSS4 |
Oxidized spots, weak heated, under-cured,
over-smoked (exceeding the degree shown in samples), opaque and
burnt sheet are not acceptable |
Slight traces of rust and dry mould on the
packaging and interior sheets are acceptable but it should not
be >20% of the bales sampled. Medium sized black particles,
bubbles, translucent stains, slightly sticky or over-smoked rubber
are permissible. |
| RSS5 |
Oxidized spots, weak heated and burnt sheet are not acceptable |
Slight traces of rust and dry mould on the packaging and interior
sheets are acceptable but it should not be >30% of the bales
sampled. Large particles, bubbles or barks, small stains or blisters,
slightly sticky, slightly under-cured or over-smoked rubber,
blemishes are permissible. |
Pale Crepe
Pale Crepe consists
of carefully collected fresh liquid latex, deliberately coagulated
and sometimes, bleached, milled,
to produce crepe of a
thickness corresponding approximately to standardized thickness.
There are a number of grades available with the purest form being
1X Thick Pale Crepe (1XTPC) while the most popular is t Thick Pale
Crepe (1TPC). 2 Thick Pale Crepe is also available. Pale crepe is
usually sold in 25kg bales with 32 bales packed onto a crated pallet
of 800kgs, suitable for ocean container.
Pale crepe is used in FDA applications, medical supplies, footwear,
cements and adhesives.
A Typical Technical Specification of STANDARD VIETNAMESE
RUBBER (SVR):
(TCVN 3769:2004 #ISO 2000:2003E)
| Parameter |
Limits for rubber grades |
Test Method |
From whole field latex |
From cuplums |
SVR
L |
SVR
3L |
SVR
CV60 |
SVR
CV50 |
SVR
5¹ |
SVR
10CV |
SVR
10 |
SVR
20CV |
SVR
20 |
New |
Old (suggestion) |
Dirt retained
on 44mircon apeture
(max, %wt) |
0.02 |
0.03 |
0.02 |
0.02
|
0.05 |
0.08 |
0.08 |
0.16
|
0.16 |
TCVN6089:2004
ISO249:1995 |
TCVN6089:1995
ISO249:1987(E) |
| Volatile matter (max, %wt)² |
0.80 |
0.80 |
0.80 |
0.80 |
0.80 |
0.80 |
0.80 |
0.8 |
0.80 |
TCVN6088:2004
ISO248:1991 |
TCVN6088:1995
ISO248:1978(E) |
| Ash content, (max, %wt) |
0.40 |
0.50 |
0.40 |
0.40 |
0.60 |
0.60 |
0.60 |
0.8 |
0.80 |
TCVN6087:2004
ISO247:1990 |
TCVN6087:1995
ISO247:1990(E) |
Nitrogen
(max, %wt) |
0.60 |
0.60 |
0.60 |
0.60 |
0.60 |
0.60 |
0.60 |
0.6 |
0.60 |
TCVN6091:2004
ISO1656:1996 |
TCVN6091:1995
ISO1656:1988(E) |
| Initial plasticity (Po), (min) |
35 |
35 |
- |
- |
30 |
- |
30 |
- |
30 |
TCVN6092-2:2004
ISO2007:1991 |
TCVN6092:1995
ISO2007:81 |
| Plasticity retention index (PRI), (min) |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
50 |
50 |
40 |
40 |
TCVN6092-1:2004
ISO2930:1995 |
TCVN6092:1995
ISO2007:81 |
Lovibond colour,
Individual value (max)
Range (max) |
4
- |
6
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TCVN6093:2004
ISO4660:1999 |
TCVN6093:1995
ISO4660:1991 |
| Mooney viscosity ML (1'+4') 100°C³ |
- |
- |
60±5 |
50±5 |
- |
60+
7/-5 |
- |
65+
7/-5 |
- |
TCVN6090:2004
ISO289-1:1994 |
TCVN6090:1995
ISO289-1:1994 |
| Curc* |
R |
R |
R |
R |
- |
R |
- |
R |
- |
TCVN6094:2004
ISO3417:1991 |
ISO6502:1999 |
| ¹ |
Three sub-grades of SVR5 are SVR5WF (processed from whole field
latex), SVR5RSS (prepared by direct baling of Ribbed smoked sheet-RSS)
and SVR5ADS (prepared by direct baling of air dried sheet - ADS) |
| ² |
Producer limits do not exceed 0.5% |
| ³ |
Producer limits are for Mooney viscosity stabilised rubbers |
| * |
Rheograph and cure test data are provided when customers require. |
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Latex is the thin stretchy material obtained by processing the sap
of rubber plants. It can also be made synthetically by polymerizing
a monomer that has been emulsified with surfactants.
Requirements of ISO 2004 for centrifuged and creamed natural rubber
latex concentrates
| |
Centrifuged |
| |
HA |
LA |
| Total solids content, %, minimum¹ |
61.5 |
61.5 |
Dry rubber content, %, minimum
|
60.0 |
60.0 |
| Non-rubber solids, %, maximum² |
2.0 |
2.0 |
Ammonia, % on latex
|
0.6 |
0.29 |
| |
minimum |
maximum |
| Mechanical stablity, s, minimum³ |
650 |
650 |
| Coagulum content, %, maximum |
0.05 |
0.05 |
| Copper, ppm, maximum* |
8 |
8 |
| Manganese, ppm, maximum* |
8 |
8 |
| Sludge content, %, maximum |
0.10 |
0.10 |
| Volatile fany acid (VFA) number |
As
agreed between the interested parties
but not to exceed 0.2 |
| KOH number |
As
agreed between the interested parties
but not to exceed 1.0 |
| Colour |
No pronounced blue or grey |
| Odour° |
No pronounced odour of putrefraction |
¹Optional requirement.
²Difference between total solids and dry rubber content.
³Higher minimum values of mechanical stability may be agreed between
the interested parties if desired.
*Based on total solids.
°After neutralization of ammonia with boric acid. |
The various
types of latex :
High Ammonia Latex Concentrate (HA Latex)
HA Latex is also known
as Standard Ammonia, High Ammonia or Full Ammonia. It is a natural
rubber latex concentrate obtained by centrifugation
and preserved with a high amount of ammonia. It is the most common
grade of latex used worldwide. It gives excellent films of high clarity
and has good adhesion characteristics as a binding agent when suitably
compounded.
HA Latex, after compounding, has a wide application especially in
dipped products like medical or industrial gloves, rubber thread,
balloons, prophylactics (condoms), tubing, finger cots, etc. It is
also used as an adhesive for footballs, adhesive for bandages, castings
on to a backing substrate, in wood lamination and for binding different
types of materials.
HA Latex is packed in non-returnable, internal-lined metal drums
of net weight 205kg or delivered in larger bulk quantities using
appropriate tanks.
Low Ammonia Latex Concentrate (LATZ Latex)
LATZ Latex is the
most common type of Low Ammonia Latex preserved in small amount of
TMTD
and Zinc
Oxide. A natural rubber latex concentrate
obtained by centrifugation and preserved with a low amount of ammonia,
it is a general purpose latex widely used in many latex applications
like foams, dipping, castings and adhesive bindings. It is more
commonly used in colder climates where the factory floor is enclosed
to maintain temperature and thus the lower level of ammonia content
is desirable.
LATZ Latex, after compounding, has a wide application especially
in dipped products like gloves, foam mattresses, reconstituted/reclaimed
leather,
balloons, shoe soles, mats etc. It is also used as an adhesive for
casting on to a backing substrate, in wood lamination and for binding
different types of materials.
Skim Block
Skim block is a by-product
of latex production. Usually sold at a substantial discount to the
price of TSR 20, it is a light coloured clean rubber,
commonly used for rubber toys, rubber parts, rubber sheet, conveyor
belts and
shoe soles. It is suitable for products where the tear strength of the
rubber is not critical.
We deal with all other grades of latex, like Medium Ammonia Latex,
Double Centrifuged Latex, TSR CV and TSR L of multi-origin, prevulcanised
latex, low protein latex concentrate, PA80 and SP50.
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Synthetic rubber is any type of artificially made polymer material
which acts as an elastomer. It can undergo much more elastic deformation
under stress than most materials and still return to its previous
size without permanent deformation. Synthetic rubber serves as
a substitute for natural rubber in many cases, especially when
improved material properties are needed. It is now an essential
component in tyres manufacturing.
Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
SBR is predominantly used for the
production of car and light truck tires and truck tire retread compounds.
A complete list of the uses
of SBR includes houseware mats, drain board trays, shoe sole and
heels, chewing gum, food container sealants, tires, conveyor belts,
sponge articles, adhesives and caulks, automobile mats, brake and
clutch pads, hose, V- belts, flooring, military tank pads, hard rubber
battery box cases, extruded gaskets, rubber toys, moulded rubber
goods, shoe soling, cable insulation and jacketing, pharmaceutical,
surgical, and sanitary products, food packaging, etc.
Nitrile Butadiene (NBR)
NBR is a form of synthetic rubber is generally inferior in strength
and flexibility but has high level of resistance to oil, grease,
fuel, and other chemicals. Its resilience makes NBR the perfect
material for disposable lab, cleaning, and examination gloves.
In
the automotive industry, it is used to make fuel and oil handling
hoses, seals and grommets. NBR’s ability to withstand a
range of temperatures from -40°C to +120°C makes it an
ideal material for extreme automotive applications. It can also
be used
to create moulded goods, footwear, adhesives, sealants, sponge,
belting and floor mats.
Poly Butadiene
Poly Butadiene is a
synthetic rubber that has a high resistance to wear and is used especially
in the manufacture of tyres. It has also been used to coat or encapsulate
electronic assemblies, offering extremely high electrical resistivity.
It exhibits a recovery of 80% after stress is applied, a value only
exceeded by elastin and resilin.
The major use of polybutadiene is in tyres with over 70% of the
polymer produced going into treads and sidewalls. Cured BR imparts
excellent abrasion resistance (good tread wear), and low rolling
resistance (good fuel economy). Polybutadiene is usually blended
with other elastomers like natural rubber or styrene-butadiene rubber
for tread compounds. Other applications include polystyrene for injection
molding applications and golf balls.
Poly Isoprene
Though Poly Isoprene has
lower strength, hot tear and aged properties and slower cure rates
than natural rubber, it is
superior in mixing,
extrusion, molding and calendering processes. It is widely used in
applications where such conditions are required - low water swell,
high gum tensile strength, good resilience, high hot tesile and good
tack.
Most common applications include rubber bands, baby bottle nipples,
extruded hose, footwear and sporting goods. It can be found in tyres,
motor mounts, gaskets, shock absorber bushingset.
Poly Isoprene can also be adapted for curing in molding activities.
Its uniform cure rate enables the establishment of exact time/temperature
press cycles.
Butyl
Because of butyl polymers’ unique characteristics, barrier
properties - high damping, resistance to ozone, heat and chemical,
and very low permeability to air, gases and moisture, butyl is
ideal for many tyres and automotive applications, healthcare and
medical
equipments, industrial and construction usage and adhesive and
even chewing gum! Butyl rubber is, in fact, the only rubber that
is impermeable
to air.
In the tyres and automotive industries, butyl polymers can be used
for innerliner, non staining black sidewall, white sidewall, treading
compound, heat resistant hose and dynamic parts including the body
mounts. In medical industry, it can be found in protective clothing
and closures for bottles.
It is also used in tank linings, conveyors belts and condenser packing.
Added to asphalt compositions, it improves the weathering and low
temperature properties of asphalt, increase toughness, impact and
abrasion resistance. It is used extensively in manufacturing of
roofing materials.
EPDM ( Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomers)
EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene
diene rubber) is an elastomer which is characterized by wide range
of applications. EPDM rubber is used
in automotive weather-stripping and seals, radiators, garden and
appliance hose, tubing, washers, belts, electrical insulations, roofing
membrane, geo-membranes, rubber mechanical goods, plastic impact
modification, thermoplastic vulcanizates, motor oil additive applications.
Silicone Rubber
Silicone Rubber is used in mechanical engineering like shaft sealing
rings, spark plug caps, radiator and automotive heating hoses,
O-rings, corona and embossing roller gaskets, window and door seals,
expansion joints etc. It is also used in electrical engineering
application, for cables and cable terminations, corona-resistant
insulation tubing, keyboards and contact mats, conductive profiled
seals.
Its usage in medical applications includes tubing for dialysis and
transfusion equipment, bellows for artificial respirators, catheters,
dummies for babies.
Neoprene Rubber / Polychloroprene Rubber
Neoprene rubber is one of
the best all-purpose elastomers where resistance to ozone, sunlight,
oxidation and many petroleum derivatives
are of prime importance. Its added advantages include good resistance
to water, many chemicals, good resilience characteristics and tensile
strength properties. It is often found in moulds and extruded rubber
products.
Special-purpose rubber
We also trade in special-purpose rubbers such
as Polyacrylic rubber (ABR), Epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), Polysulfide
Rubber Chlorosulfonated
Polyethylene (CSM).
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