Latex destablisation during winters and summers

Manufacturer: We have been hit by latex destablisation problem for quite a number of years now due to extreme temperatures during winters and summers. Please advise us on the precaution we need to take to prevent or minimise such problem.

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): Let me list down the actions you need to take in point form:

1) All drums or storage tanks containing latex should be well covered to prevent the loss of ammonia. They should be stored away from direct sun light in a covered area.

2) Temperature of latex should be maintained at between 15 to 30'C. Extreme temperatures at say, below 5'C and above 35'C would result in latex destabilsation. Freezing would lead to irreversible coagulation of the latex while high temperature could lead to excessive "creaming" and eventual irreversible skinning of the latex especially when the latex is stored half full in either drums or tanks.

3) Latex should be ideally stored in heated warehouses during very cold winters. You could also approach your latex producers to make the latex more resistant to freeze-thaw. If they know what they are doing, this should be a relative simple process on their part. If they can't help you or don't have any ideas what you're talking about, please contact me again.

4) If ammonia has been found to have lost due to high ambient temperatures, extra ammonia should be mixed into the latex to keep the ammonia content at about 0.6% or maintain the latex pH at about 10.0 to 10.5. Loss of ammonia would not only result in latex destabilsation, but would also encourage bacteria growth.

5) Latex tends to cream more during summers. Fortunately, the creaming process is reversible meaning the "cream" of the latex with higher solid content at the top of the containers could be remixed into the bulk of latex by gentle stirring. It is always advisable to do such premixing of the latex before use.

However, if the latex is left to stand for too long (more than 6 months) extreme creaming can lead to skinning especially during summers.

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