Natural Colloids for Latex Thickening

Manufacturer: We have been using celluloses and polyacrylates as latex thickeners for years but due to pressure from our customers, we are now looking for natural colloids for thickening our latex compounds. Can you please suggest some that we could try?

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): Natural colloids are available in a number of forms but there are basically three main ones that have so far been found to be of significant importance in latex technology. These are casein, starch and aliginates.

Casein which is derived from cow's milk could be dissolved in alkai such as ammonia or potassium hydroxide. Water soluble borax-modified casein is also available. Starch must be used with care because it might reduce the latex stability. Alginates are usually used as their alkali metal salts.

Needless to say, unlike celluloses and polyacrylates, all these natural materials are more prone to bacteriological attack and hence bacteriacides must be used to maintain the shelf life of both the colloids (solution) and your latex compounds otherwise it might lead to degradation, putrfaction and foul odours very often accompanied by a drop in latex stability.

Please be forwarned that some consumers are unduly concerned over the use of casein due to the mad cow disease (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy).

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