Experiment 3 :

Measurement of mechanical stability time (MST) of NR Latex

Objectives
The experiment was conducted in order to measures the effects of temperature on
MST value of NR latex.

Introduction
Latex is an example of a colloidal dispersion, which consists of polymeric particles of
few hundred nanometers in diameter, dispersed in water. When the whole dispersion is said
to be colloidally stable, means it can sit on shelf for years and remain dispersed, without
sedimentation of particles making sludge at the bottom. (Keddie & Routh, 2010)
The latex particles consist of polymeric materials of reasonably high molecular
weight, in the hundreds of thousands. They exist in particulate form because they are
stabilized against aggregation by virtue of the fact that the particle surface is charged and
repel each other.
Colloidal stability is an important property of latex dispersions. There are several
tests used to measure colloidal stability of latex, one of it is mechanical stability time test. It
is assessed by a measure of the resistance of the latex particles to irreversible flocculation
or coagulation when subjected to mechanical stirring. (Bhowmick & Stephens, 2001)
Expressed in seconds, this test allows the behavior of latex to be evaluated during
the course of different operations it undergoes during processing. The mechanical stability
time of natural latex concentrates should exceeds minimum requirement of 650s; in which
the recommended range for NR latex is between 915-1250s.
To achieve maximum colloidal stability during compounding, surfactant was added
inside the latex; in which resulted in optimum packing of the particles and led to a smooth
latex film produced. Poorer colloidal stability resulted in the settling of particle flocs and a
rougher latex film.
Materials and equipment

Natural rubber (NR) latex, ammonia solution; mechanical stability measuring apparatus,
stopwatch, beaker and a thermometer.

Methods
The experiment was conducted according to ISO 35 - Third edition; the procedures are as
follows;
1. 100g of latex concentrate in a glass beaker was diluted with the appropriate
ammonia solution to 55% (m/m) + 0.2% (m/m) total solids content.
2. Without delay, the diluted latex is warmed with gentle stirring to 35 oC + 1oC on the
water bath.
3. Immediately, the diluted and warmed latex were filtered through the wire cloth and 80
+ 0.5g of the filtered latex is weighed into the container.
4. The container was placed in position and the latex is stirred. The rotational frequency
of the stirrer is ensured is 14000 + 200 rev/min throughout test until the end-point is
passed.
5. The arrival of the end-point is preceded by marked decrease in the depth of the
vortex around the stirring shaft.
6. The end-point was determined by removing a drop of the latex with a clean glass rod
at intervals of 30s and gently spreading the sample on a suitable surface.
7. The end-point was taken as the first appearance of flocculum.
8. The end-point was then confirmed by the presence of an increased amount of
flocculum in a sample taken after stirring the latex for an additional 30s.
9. Step 2 until 8 were repeated for temperature of warmed latex of 65oC.

Results and discussion

Table 1: MST obtained for different temperature
Temperature (oC)

MST (s)

35

975

65

884

Based on the MST obtained in Table 1, it can be conclude that the latex sample
exceeds minimum requirement of 650s. It can also be seen that at tested temperature of
35oC, the MST of the latex qualifies in range of good quality NR latex concentrates (9151250s).
However, during the elevated temperature up to 65oC, the mechanical stability of the
latex was seen to decrease to a value of only 884s. This decrement in colloidal stability of
the latex concentrate can be deduced from several factors;
1. Increment in temperature imparts an increase of energy in the polymer particles
disperse inside the latex, causing the rate and extent of Brownian motion to
accelerate quickly. This increase the rate of collision of the particles and at the
same time increases the rate of formation of agglomerates which later appears
as flocs.
2. An increase in the rate of formation volatile fatty acids anions due to the increase
of temperature lead to increasing amount of anions inside the latex. These types
of anions reduce the colloidal stability of the latex due to presence of associated
cations. (Blackley, 1997)
The mechanical stability of ammonia preserved NR latex had been seen to be
associated with several factors, including the balance between the amounts of volatile fatty
acids anions with the amount of anions of long-chain carboxylic acids present inside the
latex. Aside from this, the particle size and the size distribution, as well as the composition
and structure of particle surface also have strong influence on stability, viscosity and other
properties of the latex.
The mechanism of stabilization of NR latex is noted differently from that for synthetic
lattices. Fresh NR latex particles are stabilized by mixed layers of protein and phospholipids
rubber proteins and natural lipids which come with the trees. However, the latex is
susceptible to bacterial and enzymatic attacks after leaving the trees, initiating biochemical

reactions that generate acidic ions. This will later reduce the pH of the fresh latex and leads
to auto-coagulation of the latex.
In order to avoid this situation, ammonia is added into the latex in order to raise the
pH and increase its stability. This resulted to formation of long-chain fatty acids soaps and
glycerol, due to hydrolysis of phospholipids with rubber particles. As the storage time
increases, the content of these higher fatty acids soaps increases; subsequently increasing
the colloidal stability of the latex. This is due to most of these soaps are adsorbed on the
surface of the latex particles, which give rise to higher surface electrical charge density; in
other words, resulting in greater particle repulsion force and hence, higher MST. (Bhowmick
& Stephens, 2001)
Lattices of low stability are often associated with high KOH numbers which usually
have high VFA numbers; due to inadequate preservation of latex. Also, it is seen that the
MST of NR latex concentrates also greatly influenced by a number of other inherent latex
properties, which shows variability between clones.

Conclusion
The mechanical stability time (MST) of NR latex is shown to be affected by changes
in temperature; in which an increase of it resulted in decreases of MST value. This is due to
the increase in Brownian motion of the particles which increase the rate of collision,
subsequently increases the rate of agglomerates formation. Another reason is may be due
to accelerated formation of volatile fatty acids anions, which reduces the colloidal stability of
the latex significantly.

References
Bhowmick, A.K. & Stephens, H.L. (2001). Handbook of Elastomers; Second Edition. New
York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.

Blackley, D.C. (1997). Polymer Latices: Science and Technology Vol 1: Fundamental
Principles. New York: Springer.
Blackley, D.C. (1997). Polymer Latices: Science and Technology Vol 2: Types of lattices.
London: Chapman & Hall.
Keddie, J.L. & Routh, A.F. (2010). Fundamentals of Latex Film Formation; Processes and
Properties. New York: Springer.
Sperling, L.H. (2006). Introduction to Physical Polymer Science, 4th edn. New York: WileyInterscience Publication.
Perez, J. (1993). Natural Latex; Control and Industrial Procedures. Clinical Review in Allergy
Vol 11, 355-361.