Leaching Process Affecting Vulcanisation of Latex Thread

Manufacturer:  We manufacture latex thread using the extrusion process. We recently encountered vulcanisation problem and as a result our threads are not sufficiently cured.

Our technical team and an external consultant had been working very hard to overcome the problem by ensuring better oven drying and also reformulation. Thanks to their effort, the situation has now improved. However it still left a lot to be desired because the quality, though improved,  is still not as good as that produced at the time before the problem hit us.


What else could we do?


John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant):  Very interesting!

I believe your team and the consultant had probably overlooked one area which usually does not get the attention it deserves - your leaching or washing tank! You must ensure that the thread is fully leached to get rid of the residual acetic acid otherwise the acid would retard the cure.

Examining your samples which you reported to also have discolouration problem further confirms my deduction that your problem could most probably be due to the leaching process being not efficient enough.