Ribbed Smoked Sheet, Naturel Rubber Sheet, Air Dried Sheet, ADS, RSS, RSS-1, RSS-2, RSS-3, RSS-4, RSS-5, 9006-04-6

RIBBED SMOKED SHEETS (RSS)

Ribbed Smoked Sheets / RSS / RSS-1 / RSS-2 / RSS-3 / RSS-4 / RSS-5 / Natural Rubber Sheet
CAS Number: 9006-04-6
EINECS: 232-674-7

1. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION AND CHEMICAL IDENTITY

Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS) are one of the oldest and most traditional forms of natural rubber. Produced from the latex of the Hevea brasiliensis tree, RSS is made by coagulating the latex, passing it through ribbed rollers to create a textured surface, and then smoke-drying the sheets in specially designed smokehouses. The smoking process not only dries the sheets but also preserves them, giving RSS its characteristic amber to dark brown color, distinctive smoky odor, and excellent aging resistance. RSS grades are classified based on visual quality, cleanliness, and physical properties. Historically, RSS was the dominant form of natural rubber in international trade, and it remains widely used in tire manufacturing, industrial products, footwear, and consumer goods.

2. RSS GRADES AND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

RSS grades are classified based on visual quality, cleanliness, and physical properties. The grading is primarily determined by visual inspection of the sheets, considering factors such as color, uniformity, presence of bubbles, and contamination. Higher grades (RSS-1, RSS-2, RSS-3) are used in premium applications, while lower grades (RSS-4, RSS-5) are used in general-purpose products.

Grade Definitions:

• RSS-1 (Highest Quality): The highest grade of RSS with very clean, uniform sheets. No bubbles, specks, or contamination. Used in medical, pharmaceutical, and engineering applications requiring the highest purity and consistency.

• RSS-2 (Very High Quality): Very high quality with very few bubbles and good uniformity. Used in high-quality tires and premium industrial products.

• RSS-3 (High Quality): High quality with moderate bubbles, acceptable for most high-performance applications. Preferred for radial tires and technical rubber goods.

• RSS-4 (Standard Quality): Standard quality with some bubbles and minor specks. Used in automobile tires, retreading materials, and general rubber products.

• RSS-5 (Lower Quality): Lower quality with more bubbles, specks, and less uniformity. Used in general tires, rubber sheets, floor coverings, and mats.

3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Typical Quality Parameters by Grade:

Note: RSS grades are primarily classified by visual inspection rather than chemical analysis. The above specifications are typical values for reference.

4. COMPARISON OF RSS GRADES

5. PRODUCTION PROCESS

RSS is produced from natural rubber latex through a traditional process that has been refined over decades.

Production Steps:

1. Latex Collection: Latex is tapped from Hevea brasiliensis trees and collected in cups.

2. Coagulation: The latex is coagulated using formic acid or acetic acid to form a solid coagulum.

3. Sheeting: The coagulum is passed through a series of ribbed rollers to form thin, uniform sheets with a characteristic ribbed (grooved) surface pattern. The ribbed texture increases the surface area for more efficient drying.

4. Drying: The ribbed sheets are hung in smokehouses where they are dried and smoked at controlled temperatures (typically 40-50°C) for several days. The smoking process gives RSS its characteristic amber color, smoky odor, and excellent aging resistance.

5. Grading: The dried sheets are visually inspected and graded according to quality standards (RSS-1 to RSS-5). The grading considers color, uniformity, presence of bubbles, specks, and contamination.

6. Baling: The graded sheets are folded and compressed into bales for packaging and shipping.

6. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

7. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND REACTIONS

Natural rubber (polyisoprene) has a hydrocarbon backbone with unsaturated double bonds, making it susceptible to oxidation, vulcanization, and addition reactions.

Vulcanization: Sulfur cross-linking with accelerators to improve strength, elasticity, and heat resistance.

Oxidation: Reacts with oxygen, especially when heated, causing chain scission and hardening. PRI measures resistance to this. RSS has good aging resistance due to the natural antioxidants present in the rubber and the smoking process.

Ozone Resistance: RSS has poor resistance to ozone; requires antioxidants/antiozonants in formulations.

Addition Reactions: The double bonds can undergo halogenation, hydrogenation, and epoxidation.

8. ADVANTAGES OF RSS

9. APPLICATIONS AND INDUSTRIAL USES

9.1. Tire Industry (Largest Application)

9.2. Medical and Pharmaceutical Products

9.3. Automotive and Industrial Rubber Products

9.4. Footwear and Consumer Goods

9.5. Engineering and Technical Products

10. COMPARISON WITH OTHER NATURAL RUBBER GRADES

11. PACKAGING AND SHIPPING

12. STORAGE AND HANDLING

13. SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION

14. FIRST AID MEASURES

15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

Regulatory Status:

16. OTHER NAMES AND DATABASE IDENTIFIERS

Database Identifiers:

17. PRODUCING COUNTRIES

RSS is produced in several countries in Southeast Asia and other regions where Hevea brasiliensis is cultivated:

18. HISTORY AND TRADITION

RSS has been produced for over a century and was historically the dominant form of natural rubber in international trade. The smoking process was developed to preserve the rubber sheets during long ocean voyages from Southeast Asia to Europe and America. The distinctive ribbed pattern on the sheets is created by passing the coagulated rubber through ribbed rollers, which increases the surface area for more efficient drying and smoking. The smoking process not only dries the sheets but also imparts antioxidant properties to the rubber, giving RSS its characteristic amber color and excellent aging resistance. Today, RSS remains an important grade in the natural rubber market, particularly for applications requiring high quality and traditional processing characteristics.

19. INDUSTRY SUITABILITY TABLE

20. SUMMARY AND CRITICAL WARNINGS

SUMMARY:

Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS) are one of the oldest and most traditional forms of natural rubber, produced by coagulating latex, sheeting it through ribbed rollers, and smoke-drying the sheets. RSS grades are classified based on visual quality: RSS-1 (highest quality), RSS-2 (very high quality), RSS-3 (high quality), RSS-4 (standard quality), and RSS-5 (lower quality). RSS exhibits excellent aging resistance, high tensile strength, and good processability. It is used in tires, medical products, automotive parts, footwear, industrial products, and consumer goods. RSS is produced primarily in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. Packaging: 33.33 kg or 35 kg bales, 36 bales/pallet (1.26 MT), 16 pallets/20-ft container (20.16 MT). RSS is non-toxic, combustible, and requires storage in cool, dry conditions. HS Code: 40012100.

Key Properties:

Major Application Areas:

Key Safety Points:

• NON-TOXIC: Generally safe for handling

• COMBUSTIBLE: Can burn; keep away from ignition sources

• STORAGE: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area; avoid direct sunlight and high humidity

• PPE RECOMMENDED: Dust mask, safety goggles, protective gloves (for handling)

• PROTECT: Keep away from oils, solvents, and contaminants

CRITICAL WARNINGS:

• RSS grades are classified primarily by visual inspection rather than chemical analysis. Higher grades (RSS-1, RSS-2) have better quality and uniformity.

• RSS-1 is the highest quality grade, used in medical, pharmaceutical, and engineering applications requiring the highest purity and consistency.

• RSS-3 is the most widely used grade for radial tires and high-quality rubber products.

• RSS-4 and RSS-5 are lower quality grades used in general tires and industrial applications.

• The smoking process gives RSS its characteristic amber color, smoky odor, and excellent aging resistance due to natural antioxidants.

• RSS has poor resistance to ozone and requires antioxidants/antiozonants in formulations.

• Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent degradation and maintain quality.

• Contamination with oils or solvents can significantly affect rubber performance.

• RSS is a traditional grade with a long history of proven performance in various applications.

• Produced primarily in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

Important Disclaimer: This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only. The information provided is based on available data and is believed to be accurate. However, the user is solely responsible for determining the suitability of the product for their specific application and for complying with all applicable regulations and safety requirements. For complete safety, handling, storage, and regulatory compliance information, always refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier.

Documents

•  
• RSS SPECIFICATIONS BETAKIM.pdf
•