Thickener for Natural Rubber Latex Adhesives

Manufacturer:  I have a very small business related to rubber latex and I am based in West Bengal district of India. My work involves making rubber latex (centrifuged, 60% DRC) thick for adhesive applications.

In the process, first I prepare a solution using thickeners such as CMC, PVA, Sodium alginate etc. But I have not yet achieved the desired success with the help of these chemicals.

Last week, I came in contact with your website and found a reference of SODIUM POLYACRYLATE. Now, I request you to please suggest me whether I can make a thick solution with the help of Sodium Polyacrylate and water (Cold or Hot?) and whether this solution can be added to latex.

I do hope that you would be kind enough to address my query and send me a solution that might help me improve my work.

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): Yes, you can try "Polyacrylate" type of thickener. Sodium polyacrylate is quite widely used.

This should be readily available either already in solution form or powder form or the polyacrylic acid which you have to react with sodium hydroxide. These should be available in India.

You can prepare a 1 to 5% solution by dissolving sodium polyacrylate powder in warm water with stirring. The powder should be added in small quantity slowly and gradually to prevent lumping.


Talk to your suppliers who can further advise you on how to use this for latex.

In addition, you can also add about 5 phr of bentonite clay.