Rubber VS Plastic

In product design and manufacturing, material choice is critically important. Among the most commonly selected ones, plastic and rubber stand out.

The two materials are often confused. So how can you tell them apart?

In this article we’ll explore the differences between rubber and plastic, as well as the properties of rubber that make it a highly popular material for various industries.

As a rubber parts manufacturer with more than 50 years’ experience, Soucy Baron shares its insights on the subject.

Plastic is a derivative of synthetic polymers derived from petroleum, whereas natural rubber is extracted from the latex of certain trees, such as Hevea brasiliensis, and is composed primarily of long-chain polymers called elastomers. These elastomers lend rubber its unique properties, including elasticity, flexibility and strength.

Unlike plastic, natural rubber is a durable and elastic alternative with a multitude of applications. A key characteristic of natural rubber is its low glass transition temperature, typically between -50 and -100°C. This means that rubber remains elastic at much lower temperatures than traditional plastics.

In addition to natural rubber, synthetic variants are also developed to meet specific requirements across a wide range of industries.

Plastic and rubber have distinct uses. Rubber is more protective and its properties are more developed, making it adaptable to more complex applications.

Plastic is commonly used in the manufacturing of food packaging, bottles, and the like. If we take the automotive sector as an example, plastic’s lightness and moldability make it ideal for dashboards, bumpers, and other elements.

The absorption properties and flexibility of rubber, on the other hand, make it better suited to protecting various equipment parts. Turning once again to the automotive sector, rubber is used for tires, seals, and parts of the engine, as well as for insulating sensitive pieces.

As a result, it’s widely used in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, agricultural and mining, to name a few; whereas the applications of plastic are limited in comparison.

Rubber is known for its versatility and its ability to meet the specific requirements of various industries, making it an indispensable material in numerous sectors of activity.

In particular, it’s used to absorb vibrations, reduce noise and provide sealing (NVH).

Its elastic properties and abrasion resistance make it an ideal material for tires, seals, shock absorbers, hoses, and a multitude of other components.

Synthetic rubber can be custom formulated to the needs of particular industries.

This makes rubber suitable for different requirements such as high tensile strength, abrasion resistance, flexibility at low temperatures, insulation and more.

Our more than 50 years of unrivaled expertise in elastomers is rooted in a combination of technical know-how and cutting-edge engineering. At Soucy Baron, we have a library of over 900 recipes to meet your specific needs.

By choosing us as your partner, you benefit not just from high-quality products, but from personalized support along every step of the way.