How to Transfer Latex Without Latex Destabilisation Due to Mechanical Shear

Manufacturer: We are manufacturers of latex products using natural rubber latex. We always encounter coagulum formation problem when we transfer latex from tanks to tanks. Please advise us the best way to transfer latex without latex destabilization problem.

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): One could transfer latex from one container to another by using pump, compressed air or gravity. While pumping might destabilize the latex, compressed air and gravity feeding have the least destabilization problem. When using pump, care should be taken to select one that gives the least mechanical shear to the latex.

For compressed air feeding, one must use pressure tested and insured tanks and a supply of clean compressed air. Therefore this more expensive method is mainly used for bulk deliveries of latex.

Transferring latex by gravity is the cheapest and simplest to use while preventing mechanical shear to the latex and therefore the chances of coagulum formation are kept to the very minimum. However the factory layout must be designed in such a way that the storage tanks are located on an upper floor or level to allow the latex to flow down to the compounding tanks situated at a floor lower. From the compounding tanks, the compounded latex is in turn allowed to flow to yet another floor lower for further processing such as dipping, casting or extrusion, etc.