Non-ionic Surfactants in latex compounds

Toy Balloons Manufacturer: We are manufacturers of toy balloons and swimming caps. Recently we had some latex stability problem and we added some non-ionic surfactant to our latex compound after taking heed to the advice given by certain "expert". However, instead of solving our problem, this actually gave us more problem in the processability of our latex compound. Please help us.

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): Before giving you more meaningful assistance, I need to know the nature of your latex instability. In overcoming the usual latex coagulum formation due to the usual mechanical shear, I suggest you stay away from non-ionic surfactants. Instead, you should try adding fatty acid soap.

If the destabilisation of latex is due to chemicals e.g. migration of unwanted calcium nitrate or excessive Zinc oxide, you could look into using non-ionic surfactants which act through "steric stabilisation" as opposed to "particle charge" as in the case of fatty acid soap. Non-ionic surfactants generally would reduce the MST unless they are of the type of ethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols with quite a long ethylene oxide chain.

Please take note that if you add too much of this, it might retard the gelling of your latex which probably accounts for your reported problem of latex processability.

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