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Elasticity
The most important quality of natural rubber is its elasticity. It can be stretched or compacted, then returns to its original shape. In its raw state, natural rubber maintains that elasticity only in a narrow temperature range. It becomes sticky in hot weather and brittle in cold. The process of vulcanization, or compounding, allows natural rubber to maintain its elasticity in great extremes of temperature.
Tensile Strength
Raw natural rubber has low tensile strength, a measure of the pulling force required to break it. It is also soft. Vulcanization both hardens it and dramatically increases its tensile strength.
Flexibility
Natural rubber is very flexible in both the raw and vulcanized states. Raw rubber loses its flexibility as the temperature drops. Vulcanized natural rubber can retain flexibility down to -60 degrees Celsius.
Solubility
Raw natural rubber is soluble in substances such as gasoline, turpentine and ether. It also absorbs large quantities of water. Vulcanization makes it largely insoluble and reduces its absorption of water to very low levels.
Abrasion Resistance
Vulcanization gives natural rubber high resistance to abrasion. In its raw state, it is easily abraded.