Heat Sensitized Natural Rubber Latex

Manufacturer: One of our suppliers suggested that we should try Emulvin W and Coagulant WS from Lanxess to make our NR latex compound more heat sensitive in order to make thicker latex dipped products. We would appreciate if you could guide us on how to proceed.

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): Emulvin W ia a surface active agent (i.e. surfactant) which is an aromatic polyglycol and is normally added into the latex compound to improve the colloidal stability of the latex against mechanical shear and cationic chemicals. Although it appears oily it can be easily dissolved in water. I suggest you prepare a solution of about 20% before use.

Coagulant WS is a functional organosiloxane that is frequently used as a heat sensitizerfor latex compounds. While Coagulant WS reduces the "coagulation temperature" Emulvin W increases it.

Hence when Coagulant WS is used in conjunction with Emulvin W, the "coagulation temperature" of the latex compound could be changed to suit one's dipping process and also to control the thickness of the latex gel by varying the ratio of these two additives.

The advantage of Coagulant WS is the fact that it is silicone based (although water soluble) and hence it could also act as a releasing agent.