Generally, the water dispersion system of rubber particles is called latex, and the water dispersion system of resin particles is called emulsion, which can be directly used as surface coatings, films and adhesives. After processing, it can be made into raw rubber and rubber products (such as sponges, gloves, balloons, medical hoses, etc. ), which is widely used in daily life, can be divided into three categories: natural latex, synthetic latex and artificial latex.
Generally, synthetic latex with solid content of 20%-30% can be prepared by emulsion polymerization. In order to make the solid content reach 40%-70%, rubber particles are agglomerated into larger particles, that is, measures such as adjusting polymerization formula, adding agglomerant, stirring, pressurizing and freezing are mainly adopted in industry, and then concentrated by methods similar to natural latex. Synthetic latex is mainly used in carpet, papermaking, textile, printing and freezing.
Latex production
Since rubber latex was directly made from natural latex in the 1920s, the production of rubber dairy products has developed into an important part of rubber industry. In 1980s, the consumption of rubber latex in the world accounted for about 10% of the total rubber consumption.
The production technology of rubber dairy products is completely different from that of dry rubber, which does not need huge heavy machinery and numerous processes. The compounding agent is added into the latex in the form of water dispersion to make the compounded latex, which is then gelled under the action of coagulant, and the wet gel is leached, dried and vulcanized to make the product.
There are four main production methods of latex products: impregnation, foaming, injection molding and extrusion. In addition, there are electrodeposition method and microporous model casting method. But they are not widely used. The production of latex products can realize the mechanization of batching, the streamline of feeding, the continuous process and the automation of testing.
Reference to the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia -Latex