The correct spelling of the term "hard rubber" is /hɑːd ˈrʌbər/. The word "hard" is spelled with the silent letter "h" at the beginning followed by the vowel sound /ɑː/. The word "rubber" is spelled with the vowel sound /ʌ/ followed by the double consonants "bb" indicating the length of the sound. "Hard rubber" refers to a type of rubber that has been vulcanized to create a strong, durable material often used in the manufacturing of products such as tires or golf balls.
Hard rubber is a durable and resilient material consisting of a blend of natural rubber or synthetic rubber with sulfur and other additives. It is characterized by its rigid, tough, and inflexible nature, unlike the flexible and pliable properties of regular rubber. Also known as ebonite or vulcanite, it is a type of rubber that has been processed through vulcanization, a chemical process that involves heating the raw rubber with sulfur to strengthen its molecular structure.
Hard rubber has a high tensile strength and is resistant to wear, tear, and abrasion. It is commonly used in applications requiring firmness, stiffness, and resistance to deformation, where flexibility and elasticity are not desired. Due to its tough and rugged properties, it is often employed in the manufacturing of industrial parts, electrical insulation materials, gaskets, sealing rings, equipment handles, and mechanical components.
The hardness of hard rubber can vary, but it typically falls within the range of 70 to 90 on the Shore Durometer scale, which measures the hardness of elastomers. It can be molded into various shapes and forms through processes such as compression molding or injection molding. Despite its rigidity, hard rubber still retains some degree of resilience, making it useful in applications where impact resistance is necessary.
Overall, hard rubber is a robust material that combines the inherent properties of rubber with enhanced hardness and rigidity, making it suitable for a wide range of industrial and mechanical applications.
The term "hard rubber" is derived from the combination of the words "hard" and "rubber".
"Hard" is an Old English word, stemming from the Proto-Germanic word "harduz", which means "hard" or "solid". It has remained relatively unchanged over time, retaining the same meaning in the English language.
"Rubber" comes from the substance it refers to, which is made from the sap or latex of certain plants, particularly the Hevea brasiliensis tree. The word "rubber" was first used in the English language in the late 16th century, derived from the French word "robber", meaning "a material that rubs" or "eraser". This was because early rubber was primarily used to rub out, erase, or remove marks made by pencils.