EXPERIMENT 1: DETERMINATION OF TOTAL SOLID CONTENTS (TSC) OF NR

AND NBR LATEX

1.0 Abstract
This experiment was conducted to determine the total solid content (TSC) of Natural
Rubber (NR) latex and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) latex according to ISO
124:1992(E)-Third Edition 1992-03-01 standard. NR and NBR latex samples were
heated to constant mass in an oven at 105 °C for a period of time. The TSC of both
latexes were determined by taking ratio of final weight (m 1) to the initial weight of
samples (m0). Results showed that TSC value of NR latex obtained was 62.35%
which is higher than NBR latex, 43.25%. NR latex has higher TSC value compared to
NBR latex was due to presence of proteinous and resinous substances in NR latex.
NBR latex has a rather simple chemical composition compare to NR latex because a
greater degree of control is possible during their production. Hence, NR latex has
higher TSC value that NBR latex.

2.0 Introduction
Latex is an emulsion of rubber polymer in an aqueous dispersion. In other
words, latex is liquid or aqueous form that microscopic polymer particles are
dispersed. Latex consists of two phases which are dispersed phase and discrete
phase. The discrete phase consists of latex particle and non-rubber particle while the
dispersed phase is the dispersion medium also known as serum. Nowadays, latex
can be natural or synthetic (Anderson & Daniels, 2003).

Natural rubber (NR) latex gives excellent chemical and physical properties as
natural elastomer. It contains mainly unsaturated cis‐1,4‐polyisoprenes which can be
manufactured via a relatively safe process (Dorcheh et.al., 2007). NR latex is a
natural commodity that has tremendous economic and strategic importance. Among
the applications of NR latex is the production of dipped goods, extruded threads,
adhesives, carpet-backing and moulded foams. This is primarily because of the
unique characteristics of NR latex, such as high strength, flexibility and elasticity.
Most NR latex products are derived via a sulphur vulcanisation system, which
achieves the desired physical properties for the product application. There are
alternative methods to vulcanisation, such as radiation and peroxide curing systems,

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but these methods have not gained industry acceptance because of inconsistency in
the mass production practices of these latex products (Blackey, 1997).

Other than that, latex can also be made synthetically by polymerizing a

monomer such as styrene that has been emulsified with surfactants. Under rapid
growth of polymer chemistry, many synthetic latices are now available commercially.
Synthetic latices that supply by different manufacturers have little differ in
composition and performance. Synthetic latex is mainly used to overcome the allergy
problem caused by the present of protein substances in NR latex. Acrylonitrile
Butadiene Rubber (NBR) latex is one of the types of synthetic latex which consists
unsaturated copolymers of 2-acrylonitrile and various butadiene monomers (1,2-
butadiene and 1,3-butadiene) as shown in Figure 1. Its physical and chemical
properties vary depending on the polymer’s composition of nitrile, this form of
synthetic rubber latex is generally resistant to oil, fuel, and other chemicals (Morton,
2013).

Figure 1: Chemical structure of NBR (Morton, 2013).

The total solids content (TSC) or non-volatile solids content of latex is defined
as the percentage by mass of the whole which is non-volatile under specified
conditions of drying in an open atmosphere at an elevated temperature. The purpose
of knowing the total solid content and the dry rubber content is to distinguish the
proportion of composition of latex. The significant change of mass causes by
improper temperature and time must be avoided as it is the consequence of chemical
reactions like polymer decomposition or oxidation. This measurement is useful to
measure the proportion of latex which is non-volatile. The majority of commercial
polymer latices have a total solid content of at least 40 %, and some have a polymer
content of 70%. Most of the latices are alkaline in nature and contain negatively
charged particles. However, cationic latices can also be prepared. The important
latex characteristics are the particle size, shape and particle size distribution
(Blackley, 1997).

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 In this experiment, the experimental determination of latex properties is done
according to ISO 124:1992(E) procedure. Total solids content (TSC) of latex is the
mass percentage of the solid material (both suspended and dissolved), measured by
evaporating a known mass of latex to dryness at a temperature of 105 °C. A latex
portion is heated until constant mass is obtained in an oven under specific conditions
at atmospheric pressure. The TSC is determined from the weight of test portion
before heating, m0 and after heating, m1 as shown in Equation (1).

m1
TSC= × 100 %……………. Equation (1)
m0

3.0 Objective
To determine the total solid content (TSC) of Natural Rubber (NR) latex and
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) latex according to ISO 124:1992(E)-Third
Edition 1992-03-01 standard.

4.0 Experimental
.1 Materials
Natural Rubber (NR) latex, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) latex, Distilled
Water

.2 Apparatus
Flat-bottomed dishes (lipless, of diameter approximately 60mm, provided with
covers), Oven, Measuring Cylinder, Digital Weight Balance, Glass Rods, Desiccators

.3 Procedure
Each flat-bottomed lipless dish was weighed to the nearest 1 mg using a
digital balance together, and labeled as NR 1, NR 2, NR 3 respectively. A 2.0 g ± 0.5
g (m0) of NR latex was poured into each dish and weighed again to the nearest 1 mg
and the weights were recorded. The latex in the dish was gently swirled to ensure
that the latex covers the bottom of the dish. Then, 1 cm 3 of distilled water was
measured using measuring cylinder and added into the dish. At the meantime, the
dishes were gently swirled to ensure that the latex was spread over and mixed well
with distilled water.

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 The dishes filled with mix were placed horizontally in the oven and dried at
105 C ± 5oC for 2 hours until the sample loss its whiteness. Then, the samples were
o

allowed to cool to ambient temperature in a desiccator with cover. Then, the mass of
the sample was weighed. The dish returned to the oven for 15 minutes of heating at
o
105 C. Again the samples were allowed to cool to ambient temperature and
weighed. The drying process was repeated at intervals of 15 minutes until the loss in
mass between two successive weighing is less than 1 mg. When the constant weight
(m1) of dried rubber was obtained, TSC of samples was calculated as following

m1
TSC= × 100 %
m0

The whole procedure was then repeated for NBR latex where labelled as
NBR 1, NBR 2, and NBR 3 respectively.

5.0 Results and Discussion

.1 Results
The total solids content (TSC) or non-volatile solids content of latex is defined
as the percentage by mass of the whole which is non-volatile under specified
conditions of drying in an open atmosphere at an elevated temperature. From this
experiment, the TSC (%) value of NR and NBR latex obtained were showed in Figure
2.

70.00
62.35
60.00 NR latex
Average total solid content, TSC (%)

NBR latex
50.00
43.25
40.00

30.00

20.00

10.00

0.00
Sample

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 Figure 2: Total solid content (%) of NR and NBR latex

.2 Discussion
From Figure 2, it can be observed that NR latex has a higher TSC value
(62.35 %) than NBR latex (43.25 %). The synthetic NBR latex show lower TSC (%)
value than natural rubber (NR) latex due to different amount non-volatile solid content
inside the both latex. Since the chemical composition between the natural rubber
latex and synthetic latex is different, thus may result large differences in TSC.

According to Blackley (1997), NBR latex is synthetic latex which produced

from emulsion polymerization. The chemical composition of NBR latex is relatively
simple, and is in principle largely controllable by the producer whom wrote the
formulation of the latex. The chemical composition of NBR latex usually consists of
the monomer, water, surfactant and a water-soluble initiator. The absence of
proteinaceous substances and other natural constituents in NBR latex means that
spontaneous coagulation and putrefaction do not normally occur, since small
amounts of microbicides is added to NBR latices to keep them sterile and thereby to
prevent the formation of by-products of microorganism activity, such as slimy
deposits. This resulted that TSC of synthetic NBR latex is much lower than the
natural rubber latex.

The primary constituents of natural rubber latex are carbohydrates, protein

and resin substances, lipids and inorganic constituents. These non-isoprene
components contribute to the larger value of TSC in NR compare to NBR due to the
increase amount of non-volatiles (Blackley, 1997).

However, the absence of protein in NBR explains the lower value of TSC due
to lower amount of non-volatile material in the latex. Low solids content of synthetic
latex (NBR) offers a viable alternative to natural latex in application where the issue
of natural rubber latex protein allergies is crucial, example in manufacturing of
medical devices and condoms (Blackley, 1997).

6.0 Conclusion

From this experiment, the TSC of Natural Rubber (NR) latex and Acrylonitrile-
Butadiene Rubber (NBR) latex were determined. Results showed TSC of NR latex,

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62.35 % is higher than NBR latex, 43.25 %. The differences in TSC of NR and NBR
latex was due to different chemical composition present in the both latex. The TSC of
NR latex is higher that NBR latex due to the presence of proteinous and resinous
substances in NR latex which is absent in NBR latex. NBR latex has a rather simple
chemical composition compare to NR latex because a greater degree of control is
possible during their production. In general, natural rubber latex has higher TSC than
synthetic latex. Synthetic latex applications were preferable commercially as it will not
cause protein allergy problem.

7.0 Reference

Anderson, C.D. and Daniels, E.S (2003). Emulsion Polymerization and Latex
Applications. UK: Rapra Technology Ltd.

Bernstein, L.I, Moira, C.Y., Jean, L.M & Bernstein, D.I (2006). Asthma in the
Workplace, Third Edition. London: Taylor & Francis Group.

Blackey, D. C. (1997). High polymer latices, science and technology, vol. 2, 2nd ed.
London: Chapman & Hall.

Blackley, D.C. (1997). Polymer Latices: Science and Technology Volume 1:

Fundamental Principles, Second Edition. New York: Springer.

Blackley, D.C. (1997). Polymer Latices: Science and Technology Vol 2: Types of
Latices. New York: Springer.

Cai, H. H.; Li, S. D.; Tian, G. R.; Wang, H. B.; Wang, J. H. J. (2002). Apply Polymer
Science pg 87-982.
Dorcheh, A. S.; Abbasi, M. H. J Mater (2007). Proc Technol. London: Taylor &
Francis Group.

Morton, M. (ed.) (2013). Rubber Technology, Third Edition. Netherlands: Springer

Science+Business Media

Rainer, H. (ed.) (2009). Sustainable Solutions for Modern Economies. Monheim:

RSC Publishing

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8.0 Appendix
Table 1: Total mass of NR/NBR latex and dish before and after heating.

Total mass of latex and dish (g)

Latex Sample After heating After heating
Before heating
120 minutes 135 minutes
1 21.34 20.60 20.58
NR 2 31.43 30.65 30.63
3 44.50 43.75 43.76
1 31.06 29.91 29.87
NBR 2 34.75 33.64 33.55
3 32.86 31.75 31.75

Table 2: Average TSC (%) value for NR and NBR latex.

NR latex NBR latex

Sample
1 2 3 1 2 3
Dish weight (g) 19.37 29.34 42.45 28.91 32.67 30.92
Latex weight (g) 1.97 2.09 2.05 2.15 2.08 1.94
Total weight (g) 21.34 31.43 44.50 31.06 34.75 32.86
Weight after 120mins (g) 20.60 30.65 43.75 29.91 33.64 31.75
Weight after 135mins (g) 20.58 30.63 43.76 29.87 33.55 31.75
Final stable weight (g) 20.58 30.63 43.76 29.87 33.55 31.75
Weight of dried latex (g) 1.21 1.29 1.31 0.96 0.88 0.83
Total solid content, TSC
61.42 61.72 63.90 44.65 42.31 42.78
(%)
Average total solid
62.35 43.25
content, TSC (%)

Calculation:

m1
TSC = × 100
m0

Where

m 0 = mass in gram of the test portion

m1 = mass in grams of the dried material