GUM Rubber knowlegde 1

[pqlong05]

Hi everyone,
I am working in footwear industry and quiet new to the field (lack of knowledge about rubber). Currently I have some issue with the GUM rubber soles and would like to understand about it. Can anyone share the basic principal about GUM rubber?
Really appreciate your help,
Regards,

 

[stancom]

I an a little surprised no one has responded to this query, but it is understandable inasmuch as there appears not to be a clear definition for the term 'gum rubber'. Most of us in the industry will assocaite it with an unfilled vulcanizate, typically of natural rubber. Such a material would, however, have very limited resistance to wear, even when used for leisure activities. The softness would help grip (under dry conditions) but the friction will be at the expence of abrasion. In practice I have noticed the use of some filler reinforcement and use of natural/synthetic rubber blends. No doubt soft thermoplastic rubbers are also involved.

The term ought not to be confused with 'sole crepe' which is a form of raw natural rubber,ie without crosslinking. The wear reaistance has been attributed to in-built crystallinity. That sadly explains why crepe soles can soften in heat.