Ribbed Smoked Sheet Rubber (RSS) is a type of coagulated rubber sheet that is processed from fresh field latex sourced from well-managed rubber plantations using modern processing methods. It is an important raw material used in various industries, including medical, pharmaceutical, engineering, and automotive.
Grades of Ribbed Smoked Sheet Rubber
RSS is available in different grades, each with its own specific uses and applications. The higher grades, such as RSS 1x to RSS 3, are primarily used in the manufacturing of products for medical, pharmaceutical, and engineering purposes. On the other hand, the lower grades, RSS 4 and RSS 5, are commonly used in the production of automobile tires, re-treading materials, and general-purpose products.
RSS 3 and RSS 4 are the preferred raw materials for radial tires due to their high quality and market acceptability. In India, RSS grades are packed in 50kg bales covered with polythene or 110kg crates, according to the buyer's requirements.
The quality of Ribbed Smoked Sheet Rubber is determined based on the standards set in the Green Book Standards. In India, rubber producers societies, also known as rubber producers societies (rps), play a vital role in producing high-quality grades in their group processing centers for both domestic and international markets. Additionally, individual farms also produce high-grade sheets.
Ribbed Smoked Sheet Rubber Grades and Quality Specifications
The following are the quality specifications for different grades of Ribbed Smoked Sheet Rubber:
- RSS 1X: Oxidized spots or streaks, weak, heated, undercured, over-smoked, opaque, and burnt sheets are not permissible in this grade. The rubber must be dry, clean, strong, sound, evenly smoked, and free from blemishes, specks, resinous matter (rust), blisters, sand, dirty packing, and any other foreign matter. Small pinhead bubbles, if scattered, will not be objected to.
- RSS 1: Similar to RSS 1X, with the exception that slight specks are permissible.
- RSS 2: The rubber must be dry, clean, strong, sound, and free from blemishes, blisters, sand, dirty packing, and all other foreign matter. Oxidized spots or streaks, weak, heated, undercured, over-smoked, opaque, and burnt sheets are not permissible.
- RSS 3: Slight blemishes in color, small bubbles, and small specks of bark are permissible in this grade. Oxidized spots or streaks, weak, heated, undercured, over-smoked, opaque, and burnt sheets are not permissible.
- RSS 4: Medium-sized bark particles, bubbles, translucent stains, slightly sticky, and slightly over-smoked rubber are permissible. Oxidized spots or streaks, weak, heated, undercured, over-smoked, and burnt sheets are not permissible.
- RSS 5: Large bark particles, bubbles, small blisters, stains, over-smoked, slightly sticky rubber, and blemishes are permissible. Slightly under-cured rubber is also permissible. Weak, heated, burnt, oxidized spots or streaks are not allowed. The rubber must be dry, firm, and free of blisters. Dirty packing, sand, and any other foreign matter are not permissible.
Air Dried Sheets
In addition to ribbed smoked sheets, another type of rubber sheet is air dried sheets. These sheets are prepared in the same way as ribbed smoked sheets but are dried in a shed or tunnel using hot air instead of smoke. Sodium bisulphate is added to the bulking tank to inhibit enzymic discoloration and lighten the color of the sheets. Air dried sheets can be used as substitutes for Pale Latex Crepe and may fetch a better price compared to smoked sheets due to their light color.
Ribbed Smoked Sheet Rubber Packaging
RSS grades are packed according to the Green Book standards. The packaging process includes:
- Using the same or higher-grade sheets as covering sheets
- Ensuring no holes in wrapper sheets
- Using double wrapper sheets for additional protection
- Bale coating and stenciling as per the Green Book standard
Prohibitions and Defects
There are certain prohibitions and defects that are not permissible in any grade of Ribbed Smoked Sheet Rubber. These include:
- Block, cuttings, or other scrap or frothy sheets
- Weak, heated, or burnt sheets
- Air dried or smooth sheets
- Wet, bleached, under-cured, and virgin rubber
- Rubber that is not completely visually dry at the time of buyer's inspection
- Skim rubber made out of skim latex used in whole or part in production
- Opaque sheets, wet mold, weak sheets, heated sheets, burnt sheets, oxidized spots or streaks, air dried sheets, frothy sheets, dirty packing sand, and other foreign matter
Ribbed Smoked Sheet Rubber is a versatile raw material used in various industries. Its quality and specifications are determined by the standards set in the Green Book. Different grades of RSS have specific uses and applications, ranging from medical and pharmaceutical products to automotive tires. Proper packaging and adherence to quality standards are crucial in ensuring the market acceptability of RSS. With its wide range of applications and demand in both domestic and international markets, Ribbed Smoked Sheet Rubber plays a vital role in the rubber industry.
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