Alcohol-Based Coagulant Vs Water-Based Coagulant

Manufacturer: While most of the latex dipped products manufacturers today are now using water-based coagulant, we observe that some are still using alcohol-based coagulant despite the higher cost, health and fire hazards. Do you know why?

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): While the alcohol-based coagulant have the disadvantages you mentioned, it has the advantages of better flow control and faster evaporation. As a result, coagulant drainage problem can be minimised and more even deposit on the former attained.

Compared with water-based coagulant, it is also more effective in covering uniformly uneven former surfaces such as finger crotches and textured patterns.  

Former Cleaning with Hard Water

Manufacturer: We are glove manufacturers. We have heard that some of our competitors are using softened water for their former washing. What's the danger of using hard water?

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant):

In some countries it is extremely important that after the online washing process, the formers are thoroughly rinsed with softened water. This is because the hardness of the water would deposit traces of inorganic salts on the former surface leading to potential formation of pinholes in the rubber film.