What does shaping in rubber processing include?

Shaping in rubber processing refers to the processes that alter the physical form of raw rubber to create usable products. This involves methods like molding, extrusion, and calendering, where the rubber is manipulated and transformed into various shapes and forms that can be used in final products.

The correct answer is based on the understanding that shaping encompasses more than just the initial steps of mixing or compounding raw materials. While compounding is critical as it involves blending rubber with other ingredients to achieve desired properties, it does not alone constitute shaping. Similarly, cooling or mixing are processes essential to rubber production, but they are not specifically about changing the physical form itself. Thus, focusing on changing the physical form comprehensively captures the essence of shaping in rubber processing.