Rubber
Rubber today is known as vulcanized rubber. Rubber is found in the milky sap (latex) of tropical plants and is mainly obtained from the rubber tree. Vegetable rubber is also called natural rubber or natural latex.
To make rubber, natural rubber is treated by adding sulphur under pressure and heat to produce a highly elastic material. These days, however, rubber is mainly produced in synthetic form.
Items made of rubber, such as Wellington boots, can be decorated with ease using edding permanent markers.
After a time, depending on the environmental influences, rubber exhibits signs of ageing, i.e. it becomes brittle or cracked. Glycerine protects rubber from becoming brittle. Silicone oil replenishes the surface and prevents the premature ageing of rubber.
