Cis-1,4-polyisoprene from Hevea — tyres still drink most of the world’s latex.
Also called: Hevea NR · polyisoprene · latex rubber
Natural rubber is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under polymers: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.
Scores compare Natural rubber with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.
Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.
Deep introduction
Natural rubber ((C5H8)n cis-1,4) is a family of grades whose density ~0.92 g/cm³, heat band elastomer; decomposes on heat, and fire letter combustible; tyres are a fire load.
Natural rubber is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry (C5H8)n cis-1,4, density ~0.92 g/cm³, heat band elastomer; decomposes on heat.
This atlas treats Natural rubber as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.
Conductivity note: ~0.15 W/m·K. Insulation score 38/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.
Fire letter in editorial use: combustible; tyres are a fire load. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.
Origin: Mesoamerican use / Goodyear 1839 / Wickham 1876, Amazonia → Malaysia. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.
Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: silicone.
Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.
Circularity mark 46/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.
United States · 1839
Charles Goodyear is a reference point in the public image of Natural rubber.
United Kingdom · 1888
John Boyd Dunlop is a reference point in the public image of Natural rubber.
France · 1898
Michelin Bibendum is a reference point in the public image of Natural rubber.
SE Asia · 20th c.
Hevea tapping is a reference point in the public image of Natural rubber.
Brazil · 1928
Fordlandia is a reference point in the public image of Natural rubber.
Global · 1950s–
F1 slick is a reference point in the public image of Natural rubber.
Global · 19th c.–
Surgical glove is a reference point in the public image of Natural rubber.
Europe · 18th c.–
Eraser is a reference point in the public image of Natural rubber.
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Same family or rival physics — pick a duel.
Closest neighbours on the six atlas axes — strength, heat, fire, insulation, workability and circularity.
A kilometre-class animal filament — luxury cloth, sutures and a template for bio-inspired fibres.
Overall 41 🌱Seed-hair cellulose that dressed the industrial revolution — still the comfort fibre of daily wear.
Overall 44 🎽The dominant apparel polymer — bottle-grade PET spun into staple that dries fast and sheds microfibres.
Overall 49 🪢Carothers’ polyamide — stockings, tyre cord, climbing rope and a melt-drip fire personality.
Overall 48The world’s volume plastic — bags, bottles, pipes and the UHMWPE cousin in medical and ballistic fibre.
Overall 40 🍳Plunkett’s slippery fluoropolymer — non-stick, chemical linings and a high-temp plastic that still has a fire-and-fume story.
Overall 41 🫧Si–O backbone elastomers and resins — bakeware, medical tubing, façade sealants and a kinder high-temp story than carbon chains.
Overall 55