Rubber compounding, science compound development

As a matter of fact, mankind knows polymers from ancient times, due to the existence of naturally occurring polymers such as latex, starches, cotton, wool, leather, silk, amber, proteins, enzymes, starches, cellulose, lignin, and others. The other type of polymers are synthetic polymers. Braconnot, in 1811, perhaps made the first significant contribution to polymer science by developing compounds derived from cellulose. Later, cellulose nitrate was obtained in 1846 by Schonbein, afterward in 1872, its industrial production was established. Besides, in 1839, Goodyear found out by accident that by heating latex with sulfur its properties were altered creating a flexible and temperature-stable rubber. This process is named vulcanization. 

At the same time, there are great analogies between the thermodynamics (state diagrams) of low- and high-molecular compounds (see the flyleaf). Perhaps, they are systems with ii( twork polymers which are specific for the polymer world. Nevertheless, it is they that are associated with the establishment and development of polymer materials science production of rubber, fibrous, plastics, contact lenses, food, etc. 

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