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JW Latex Consultants (and Rubber Consultants,乳胶顾问) offer solutions to your problems in Natural Rubber latex and Synthetic Rubber latex processing and the manufacturing of latex products (condoms, catheters, medical gloves, baby teats and soothers, toy balloons etc) Quick answers through e-mails are possible at reasonable cost.

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Send Your Enquiry and Orders To: woonsungliang@yahoo.com.sg

Problem Solving Through E-Mails with John Woon Latex Consultants Is Possible
可以通过电子邮件与JW乳胶顾问来解决问题

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Monday, October 29, 2007

Rubber Chemicals - Are they safe?

Manufacturer: I have been working in the rubber industry for man years and are worried about the toxicity effect of the rubber chemicals. But I find difficulty in getting information pertaining to this. How safe are these chemicals?

JohnWoon: I've discussed this before. Please see below:
Rubber and latex products are continuously being developed to be used in many new applications in varied industries. The individual technologist should therefore equip himself/herself with whatever relevant knowledge there is in a particular industry where rubber products are being used. Many rubber factory workers and consumers are being exposed to such rubber products. It is therefore only natural that the toxicity issue should be scrutinized and studied.

Hence a good rubber and latex technologist should be jacks of all trades and hopefully master of some.

Toxicity study of rubber chemicals and the based rubbers (Polymers) have been studied for many decades and is still being pursued to obtain any new findings. But what's "toxicity"? Simply defined, it is the ability of a substance to cause a harmful effect to human body. As far as rubber products are concerned, this covers carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, clastogenicity including of course primary skin irritation, eye irritation and skin sensitization, not forgetting teratogenicity and nerotoxicity.

The following notes show my simplified explanation of the terms for ease of understanding and wherever applicable, examples of chemicals are included:

1)Carcinogenicity
This is the ability for certain chemical to cause cancer (Please note that the causative agents could be more than one, for instance, radiation and stress) i.e. it has the ability to act on living tissues to cause malignant growth.

This substance or chemical is called a "carcinogen". The biochemical process leading to cancer is termed "carcinogenesis". Of course "Carcinogenic" is the adjective to describe anything that cause cancer.

Examples: Although reported to be very likely non-carcinogenic as they are, most common Zinc dialkyl dithiocarbarmates such as ZDMC, ZDBC and ZDEC have been reported to release carcinogenic N-nitrosamines as by-products after vulcanization. Thiourea is another accelerator that is carcinogenic. Other examples include styrene, butadiene and acrylonitrile used as raw materials in the manufacturing of ABS plastics and Nitrile rubber.

2)Mutagenicity
This is the ability of the chemical to cause an increase in the rate of change in genes (subsections of the DNA of the body's cells) or a rearrangement or a gain or loss of part of a chromosome (Remember our biology class in schools? If you've forgotten, "chromosome" is a structure in the nucleus of a cell composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and protein; the chromosome forms the basis of heredity and carries genetic information in DNA in the form of a sequence of nitrogenous bases)

Such chemical is known as "mutagen" and the process of mutation is termed "mutagenesis". "Mutagenic" is the adjective for any chemical that could cause mutation.

Please take note that mutagenic substances may also be carcinogenic but a carcinogen might not necessarily be a mutagen.

3)Clastogenicity
This is the ability of the chemical to cause chromosomal breaks.

Such chemicals are called "Clastogens" and the process is termed "clastogenesis".
"Clastogenic" is the adjective applied to any substance or process causing chromosomal breaks.

Example: MBTS (Dibenzolthiazyl disulphide) had been reported to be potential clastogen.

4)Teratogenicity
This is the ability of the chemical to cause non-heritable birth defects i.e. malformations of an embryo or fetus.

Such chemicals are termed "teratogen", some times refered to as "reproductive toxins" while the process is called "teratogenesis". "Teratogenic" is the adjective describing the chemical that causes non-heritable birth defects.

Example: Accelerators such as TMTD (Tetramethyl thiuram disulphide) and MBTS (Dibenzolthiazyl disulphide) had been reported to be potential teratogens. Other possible examples include monomers like acrylonitrile, vinyl chloride and styrene.

5)Neurotoxicity
The ability of a chemical to upset the function of the nervous system.

Example: TETD (Tetraethyl thiuram disulphide), Dinitrosopentamethylene tetramine (Blowing agent), Methanol and IPA.

6)Skin irritation/Skin sensitization
I presume you are familiar with the meaning of these.

Examples: MBT, ZMBT = Possible Skin sensitization, TMTD, TETD, DPG (Diphenyl guanidine)= possible skin irritation and sensitization.

Legislation to protect human health and the environment has been increasing dramatically during the past two decades. Many laws have been enacted to control the carcinogenic and other health risks of industrial chemicals used in a wide range of latex and rubber products, released into the environment, or encountered in the workplace.

All other things being equal, the best bet is to use prevulcanised latex as opposed to post-vulcanisable latex compound. Generally, the former has lower toxicity. Always wear gloves and masks (especially while handling the chemical powders). If the standard safety procedures of the manufacturers are strictly adhered to, workers in rubber factories should not be unduly concerned.

Hope this information would serve as a useful starting guide for you.

You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

How to overcome uneven glove thickness

Manufacturer: We always get uneven latex pickup in our dipping hence uneven thickness in our final gloves. What shall I do?

JohnWoon: Your question is too general for me to give you a specific answer. However I could offer the following suggestions for you to look at. But this is by no means an exhaustive list.

1) Ensure that your formers are thoroughly cleaned.
2) Control latex stability to minimise the rise of viscosity.
3) Ensure that the coagulant mix is not unduly dirty. Increase level of wetting agent.
4) Ensure fasting drying and setting of coagulant.
5) Ensure your formers are not too cold or too hot.
6) Ensure lowest workable latex TSC.


You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

Rubber prices continue to rise on fear of tight supply

Bernama reports (Friday, October 19, 2007) that Malaysian rubber prices were up for the third consecutive day on Thursday as major buyers worried about the tight supply, a dealer said. The rainy season in major rubber producing countries has raised concerns that the current production may not be able to cope with the increasing local and overseas demand, he said. The dealer said the sharp increase in rubber prices on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) and high crude oil price have also pushed up prices, adding that rubber price may touch 772 sen per kg.

A higher crude oil price encourages the use of natural rubber instead of synthetic rubber which is made from petrochemicals. Oil prices are currently hovering at record high levels. Yesterday in New York, oil price went up to US$89 per barrel before settling at US$87.40. At noon, the Malaysian Rubber Board official physical price for tire grade SMR 20 climbed 8.5 sen to 764.5 sen per kg compared with yesterday's closing of 756 sen while latex in bulk rose two sen to 501 sen per kg from 499 sen.

Meanwhile, the unofficial sellers' closing price for tire grade SMR 20 increased by eight sen to 768 sen per kg from 760 sen yesterday and latex in bulk went up three sen to 502 sen per kg from 499 sen previously.

You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

Friday, October 19, 2007

California to ban phthalates in children´s products

To the disappointment of the New York-based Toy Industry Association , California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law the first state ban on the use of certain phthalates in toys and child-care products for children under 3.
This prohibition will become effective from 1 January 2009.

While he EU restricts its ban to mouthing toys that are about 5 inches or less, the California law applies to all toys and child-care products for children under age 3.
Arnold Schwarzenegger urged state lawmakers to support his administration’s Green Industry Initiative – a process the California Environmental Protection Agency began in May in an effort to take a comprehensive approach to evaluating the health effects of chemicals.

According to some lab animal studies, some phthalates interfere with hormonal systems, disrupt testosterone production and cause malformed sex organs.
Phthalates are plasticizers used to soften the PVC used to make flexible products such as toys and vinyl gloves.


You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

Entrepreneur Seeks Condom Size Variety


October 12, 2007

SEOGWIPO, South Korea (AP) -- As the world's top condom experts convene this week to update international standards, one American entrepreneur has a simple message: Size matters. It's shaking up an industry that has generally taken a one-size-fits-all approach.

Frank Sadlo, founder of TheyFit, which makes what he claims are the world's first custom-fit condoms, is pushing for updated standards to allow greater variation in condom size.

It's not just about well-endowed men in cramped prophylactic quarters, Sadlo told a meeting Thursday of delegates from 21 countries under the Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization.

When given a choice, he said many men prefer condoms smaller than the standard minimum 6.3 inches long, with more than half ordering those less than 5.12 inches....Click HERE to read the whole article.

You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

MALAYSIAN RUBBER PRODUCT MARKETING MISSION TO HUNGARY, CZECH REPUBLIC AND VISIT TO K-FAIR, GERMANY, 17-27th OCTOBER 2007

Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council (MREPC) together with the Ministry of Plantation Industries & Commodities, will be organizing a Rubber Product Marketing Mission to Hungary, Czech Republic and a visit to the K-Fair 2007 in Germany from 17-27th October, 2007.The Mission will be led by the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Y.B Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui.

The objective of this Mission is to promote Malaysian rubber product to the Hungarian and Czech market. Participating companies in the mission will also have the opportunity to assess the market potential in the two countries and explore the possibility of using these countries as a gateway to seek market access in other new EU countries.

In conjunction with this Mission, MREPC will organize seminars, factory visits and business meetings in Budapest (Hungary) and Prague (Czech Republic). Leading importers and distributors, from Hungary, the Czech Republic and the neighboring countries will be invited to attend the seminars and business meetings.

In Germany, the delegation will make a visit to the K-Fair 2007 which is regarded as the world’s biggest and most important trade fair for the plastic and rubber industries. Mission members will be able to see the latest products, technologies and machinery for the industry. Large multinational companies like Trelleborg, Kraiburg and Continental will also participate as exhibitors.

MREPC has applied and got approval from MATRADE for the Market Development Grant (MDG). The approval covers the mission activities in Hungary and the Czech Republic only. Apart from the MDG, under the New Incentive Package offered by MREPC, companies participating in this Mission can claim 50% of the hotel accommodation cost subject to a maximum of RM 500 per day for the duration of the mission.

MREPC is pleased to invite companies to participate in this Rubber Product Marketing Mission.

Please CLICK HERE for the summary of the programme.

You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

Friday, October 05, 2007

Chemical Resistance Guide III

Rubber World introduces the all new updated Chemical Resistance Guide for Elastomers III - a concise guide to chemical and environmental resistance of rubber and elastomeric compounds, when exposed to various hostile media. Now 50 rubber and elastomeric compounds are examined in more than 100,000 combinations with corrodents, including 3,000 liquid or dry chemicals, gases, lubricants, household fluids, foods and other environments.

In addition, mechanical and physical properties of the materials are covered, including specific rates of deterioration, time and temperature, for selected compounds. All data are compiled in an easy to find matrix format, with corrodents listed in alphabetical order. 500+ chemical trade names are covered, with synonyms listed for more than 1,000 chemicals, gases, etc. and indexed to corresponding page numbers. Click here to order the all new Chemical Resistance Guide.

You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

SSL to close UK Technical Centre

According to PRW's report, SSL International is planning to close its Cambridge technical centre and transfer its activities of R&D, quality assurance and compliance to SSL manufacturing facilities in Peterlee, Thailand and India after March 2008.
The objective of the transfer was reported to be the increasing of the speed to market for new innovations by re-locating the technical activities at its principal manufacturing sites.

A condom manufacturing plant in Rubi, near Barcelona, Spain was also scheduled for closure and its production will be transferred to existing facilities in Thailand and India. The report says that the closures are expected to improve operating margins.


You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

Monday, October 01, 2007

Latex DRC loss with storage time

Latex Producer: I observed that the DRC (Dry Rubber Content) of our latex concentrates tends to reduce on storage after some months. Why?

JohnWoon: Strictly speaking, in the standard testing method that most of us are using for DRC, the actual rubber content does not truly contain 100% rubber. Besides the rubber, you have the so-called non-rubbers. These non-rubbers on the rubber particles in time could get hydrolysed and dissociate itself from the rubber, hence the lower DRC content you observed.

You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

Effect of air on Latex MST (Mechanical Stability Time)



Manufacturer: We have been observing some interesting findings of MST (mechanical stability time)results of our centrifuged latex concentrates between samples kept in full bottles and those in partially filled bottles. The former very often shows a higher MST. Can you offer some explanation to our observation?

JohnWoon: Depending on the source of your latex, this observation some times does occur. This is the effect of the latex absorbing the air (oxygen) in the partially filled bottles. This was first reported about 50 years ago! Hence we always advise that after opening the sample bottle, latex sample must be tested as soon as possible - within 24 hours.

As regards the reason for the increase in MST when exposed to air, there is no clear explanation to date although some suggested the possibility of the formation of hydroperoxide groups on the polyisoprene molecule. But I can't see how this could increase the MST. Another explanation might make more sense:

The aldehyde groups of the rubber molecule could be oxidised forming carboxylic groups and this ionised groups could in turn migrate to the rubber particle surface thereby increasing the negative charge at the particle-water interface.


You are at the site for answers and solutions to all your problems in natural rubber latex processing and manufacturing of industrial, household and medical gloves, condoms, catheters, baby teats and baby pacifiers, toy balloons, latex foam products, latex threads etc.

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What has the bouncing ball to do with tyres?

Latex Gloves Educational Articles from the Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council

How do you select your medical gloves?

Rubber Chemicals: Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Clastogenicity.

Why is Compression Set measurement important?

Assessment of Latex Stability

Joule Effect

Poor Flocking Quality Of Household Gloves

Creaming of Latex

What is Vulcanization?

History of Latex Dipped Products

Applications of Prevulcanized Latex

Defoamer Creating Havoc in Glove Factory

Problems With Milling Rubber Chemicals

Medical Gloves From Guayule Latex

Introduction to SMG Gloves

 

 

Click on The Following Links to Read More Articles:

[Advantages of Vulcanization] [Applications of PV Latex] [Bacteria and Latex] [Chemical Toxicity] [Cross-Linking Density] [Biodegradability] [Black Articles] [Blooming] [Bouncing Ball] [Compression Set] [Condoms] [Creaming] [Defoamer] [FDA] [Fatty Acid Soaps] [Flame Retardant] [Flocking] [Food Packaging] [Glove Demand] [Glove Selection] [Guayule Latex] [History of Gloves] [Joul Effect] [Latex Stability] [Latex Thread] [Milling Problem] [MREPC Articles] [Nano Polymer Particles] [Nano ZnO] [Polychloroprene] [REACH] [SMG] [Storage Hardening] [Vulcanization] [Vytex] [Yulex]

Disclaimer:
The information and data contained in this site are believed to be accurate and reliable. However it is the responsibility of the visitors and readers to satisfy themselves that the information is workable under their own processing conditions. Hence the owners of this site make no warranties concerning the suitability of the information given in this site.

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