About ten years after the publication of the Second Edition (1973), it became apparent that it was time for an up-date of this book. This was especially true in this case, since the subject matter has traditionally dealt mainly with the structure, properties, and technology of the various elastomers used in industry, and these are bound to undergo significant changes over the period of a decade. In revising the contents of this volume, it was thought best to keep the orig inal format. Hence the first five chapters discuss the same general subject matter as before. The chapters dealing with natural rubber and the synthetic elastomers are up-dated, and an entirely new chapter has been added on the thermoplastic elastomers, which have, of course, grown tremendously in importance. Another innovation is the addition of a new chapter, "Miscellaneous Elastomers," to take care of "old" elastomers, e.g., polysulfides, which have decreased some what in importance, as well as to introduce some of the newly-developed syn thetic rubbers which have not yet reached high production levels. The editor wishes to express his sincere appreciation to all the contributors, without whose close cooperation this task would have been impossible. He would especially like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Dr. Howard Stephens in the planning of this book, and for his suggestion of suitable authors.

The core content of this book is derived from the author’s experience as a Senior Technocrat, associated with the rubber industry in the aspects of Production, R&D and new plant erection and commissioning. This book is dedicated to a variety of Rubber Starting Point Formulations that could be very useful for the rubber industry. The rubber industry is an important resource-based industry in India. Over many decades, the rubber industry has witnessed steady and strong growth. Rubber can be processed in many ways to manufacture a wide range of products. This book provides the starting point formulations that cover the manufacturing processes of rubber products such as calendaring, extrusion and molding. Thus, the book is very useful for new entrepreneurs, existing units, technical institutions and technocrats. These formulations are based on General Compounding Principles and properties such as Tensile Strength, Tear Resistance, The Crescent Tear Test, The Hardness of Rubber, Abrasion Resistance, Flex Cracking Resistance, Resilience, Heat Build-up, and Temperature Resistance. The formulations are aimed at products like Retreading Materials, Conveyor Belting, Transmission Belting and Hose, Footwear, Rubber Roller, Medical Applications, O rings and Seals, Rubber Blends and Manufacture of Latex Products.

The Science and Technology of Rubber, Third Edition provides a broad survey of elastomers with special emphasis on materials with a rubber-like elasticity. As in the 2nd edition, the emphasis remains on a unified treatment of the material; exploring topics from the chemical aspects such as elastomer synthesis and curing, through recent theoretical developments and characterization of equilibrium and dynamic properties, to the final applications of rubber, including tire engineering and manufacturing. Many advances have been made in polymer and elastomers research over the past ten years since the 2nd edition was published. Updated material stresses the continuous relationship between the ongoing research in synthesis, physics, structure and mechanics of rubber technology and industrial applications. Special attention is paid to recent advances in rubber-like elasticity theory and new processing techniques for elastomers. This new edition is comprised of 20% new material, including a new chapter on environmental issues and tire recycling.

Civilizing latex -- Cultivating science -- Managing disease -- Turning tropical -- Maintaining modernity -- Decolonizing plantations -- Militarizing rubber