1. SILICONE

Silicone rubber is an elastomer, a rubber-like material, composed of silicon-the polymer itself-alongside carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Widely employed in various industries, silicone rubber comes in numerous formulations. Often a one- or two-part polymer, silicone rubber may contain fillers to enhance properties or reduce costs. Silicone rubber is generally non-reactive, stable, and resistant to environmental factors and extreme temperatures ranging from −55 °C to +300 °C, all while retaining its useful properties. Due to these characteristics and its ease of fabrication and molding, silicone rubber finds extensive use in a variety of products. Applications span the automotive industry; cooking, baking, and food preservation items; clothing such as underwear, sportswear, and footwear; electronics; medical devices and implants; and hardware, including silicone adhesives.

2. SYTRENE BUTA DIENE RUBBER

SBR, Styrene Butadiene Rubber, stands out as a synthetic polymer developed to address the growing demand for rubber that cannot be solely met by natural rubber. The needs for both natural and synthetic rubber continue to rise in tandem with increasing human living standards. According to the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), as highlighted in the Eco-Project study of 2005, there is an anticipated shortage in the supply of natural rubber in the next two decades. This raises concerns, particularly for consumers such as tire manufacturers like Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Michelin. This situation should serve as a pivotal moment for Indonesia to propel the development of the synthetic rubber industry as a viable alternative to natural rubber.

3. NITRILE BUTADIENE RUBBER

NBR, also known as nitrile butadiene rubber, NBR, Buna-N, and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, is a synthetic rubber derived from acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene. Trade names include Perbunan, Nipol, Krynac and Europrene. This rubber is unusual in being resistant to oil, fuel, and other chemicals.

NBR is used in the automotive and aeronautical industry to make fuel and oil handling hoses, seals, grommets, and self-sealing fuel tanks. It is also used in the nuclear industry to make protective gloves. NBR’s stability at temperatures from −40 to 108 °C (−40 to 226 °F) makes it an ideal material for aeronautical applications. Nitrile butadiene is also used to produce moulded goods, footwear, adhesives, sealants, sponges, expanded foams, and floor mats. Its resilience makes NBR a useful material for disposable lab, cleaning, and examination gloves. Nitrile rubber is more resistant than natural rubber to oils and acids, and has superior strength, but has inferior flexibility.

4. SYTRENE BUTA DIENE RUBBER

Rubber, also called latex, Amazonian rubber, caucho, or caoutchouc, as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia are four of the leading rubber producers. Types of polyisoprene that are used as natural rubbers are classified as elastomers.

Currently, rubber is harvested mainly in the form of the latex from the Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) or others. The latex is a sticky, milky and white colloid drawn off by making incisions in the bark and collecting the fluid in vessels in a process called “tapping”. The latex then is refined into the rubber that is ready for commercial processing. In major areas, latex is allowed to coagulate in the collection cup. The coagulated lumps are collected and processed into dry forms for sale.

Natural rubber is used extensively in many applications and products, either alone or in combination with other materials. In most of its useful forms, it has a large stretch ratio and high resilience and also is water-proof.