LATEX PROCESSING

Conc. Latex

Evaporation
RSS Creaming
PFL ADS Centrifuging
SDS Electrodecantation

NH3 Rubber Tree

NH3 + EDTA Sheet
ZDC NH3
BA Tapping Block
BA +NH3+
BA Crepe
Latex
PLC Speciality
SC
OTHER FORMS

Superior processing
Anticoagulants Weighing Processing aid
Constant viscosity
5%Sodium sulphate 0.05 v/v Low viscosity
1%Ammonia 0.01 V/V Estimating DRC Oil extended
Tyre Rubber
1%HCHO 0.02 V/V Powdered Rubber
HNS 0.15 on DRC Sieving and Thermoplstic
BA Bulking Graft NR
Deproteinised
Masterbatches
Latex is produced in laticifer cells.

Laticifer - Single, non-articulated

Compound, articulated

There are 12,500 species of laticiferous plants.

7,000 produce isoprene. (Mostly they are mixed with resins)

Hevea Brasiliensis- the best.

(These are with articulated laticiferous bark).
It gives better yield and superior rubber content.

A group of plants that has resulted from the vegetative propagation of an

individual is a clone.

Average yield is 2000 kg to 3000 kg / ha

Latex yield simulation by chemicals:

2-amino- 3.5.6 trichloropicolinic acid

2- chloroethyl phosphoric acid
(penetrate the bark and produce ethylene within the plant. )

Producers:
Malaysia
Indonesia
Thailand
India and China
Srilanka

Taping

Latex is contained in capillary vessels that are in a sheath concentric with the
outer bark. 2-3 mm thick zone. 20 to 50 microns dia capillary vessel

Latex oozes out through a cut in the bark. Coagulates after 2-5 hours
, due to evaporation (thus plugging)
Half spiral method (S2, d2) ie. Half cut, taping every other day and S1,
d4 method (full spiral cut, every fourth day)

General composition of latex:

 Latex (% wt)

Rubber 30 40
Protein 2.25
Ash 0.7 0.9
Resin 1 1.6
Sugar 1-1.5
Water 60- 70

Rubber phase

Rubber 86
Water (hydration layer) 10
Proteins 1
Phospholipids 3

Laticifer cells are arranged in concentric rings around and adjacent to

cambium. ( In the region called Phloem Fig. 6 of ref 1372)
These are running parallel to the tree trunk and are interconnected at
places.
The contiguous wall of two adjacent laticifers becomes perforated in
several places producing anastomoses which create a continuous
network within each mantle.

The secondary phloem contains in addition to laticifer cells, sieve tubes,

companion cells, parenchyma cell. Xylem and phloem connected by vascular
rays.

New cells are formed by the cambial activity. Gradually the older phloem
(and so the old laticifers) are pushed outward. Parenchyma cells, enclosing
the laticier tubes becomes hardened.

Wood transport water and mineral from the root. It is supplied to the cambium
area through vascular rays. Ie. Wood participate in supplying laticiferous
tissue water , mineral and also sugar that are precursor of the synthesis of
rubber (As the wood also accumulates reserves, mainly of starch) ie. Starch is
accumulated in axial parenchyma cells (Fig. 13 and 16 of ref 1372)

Lutoids
These are 10 20 % of the volume of latex.
2-5 micrometer dia
Enclosed by a unit membrane which is rich in phosphatidic acid and
Contains helical spring like protein molecules.

Laticifer cells composition:

Cell wall
Nucleus
Plastids &Frey-Wyssling particles
Nitochondia
Vacuome (lutoids and classic vacuoles)
Endoplasmic reticulum
Dictyosomes
Rubosomes
Rubber particles (25 45 % volume of latex)

Rubber particles are usually spherical

Size : 50 angstrom to 5-6 micrometers
Small particles have higher molecular weight
It is covered by phopholipproteinic .
Surface negative charge maintains stability;

Centrifuging to separate rubber

1 3

1
3
4

2 5

6
7,8,9,

1 -largest particles
2 0.005 to 0.25 microns
3 0.035 to 0.2 microns dia

1, 2 3 rubber
4 Frey Wyssling particles
5 clear serum , 6 serum
7-9 bottom fraction

0.1 micron dia particles contains several hundred cis polyisoprene molecules.

Size distribution:
Average: 0.1 microns,
Less than 0.045 microns ~ 30 %
Less than 0.36 microns ~ 95 %

Membrane covering the rubber (Phospholipoproteinic)

 Neutral lipids (pigments, sterol esters, fattyacid esters, etc)
Phospholipids (phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanol amine etc)
Proteins ( alpha globulin mainly)
Enzymes (rubber transferase)

Surface negative charge, moves to positive side:

0 120 micrometer/s and proportional to electric field for potential gradient 0
20 V/ cm.
Surface potential is 35 to 45 mV.

Protein

1% on latex of which 20 % is on rubber , 20 % is in bottom fraction and the

rest in serum (60% )

There are 15 proteins in rubber serum and 8 in bottom fraction. (alpha

globulin in rubber and serum and Hevein in bottom fraction.

Latex contains : Fubber, Frey Weysling particles, Lutoids, Ribosomes,

cytosol etc.

Mineral content:

Nitrogen 0.26 %
Phosphorus 0.05 %
Potassium 0.17 %
Calcium 0.003%
Magnesium 0.05 %

Rb (7), Mn (0.1), Fe (1.0), Cu (2.0), Zn (0.3) mg / 100 g of fresh latex

Low Molecular weight organic solutes

Polyols and glucids

Organic acid
Aminoacid
Nitrogenous bases
Reducing agents
Nucleotides

High molecular weight compounds

Protein
Lipids
Nuclic acid

Polyols and glucids (Monomethyl 1-inositol)

Organic acid (malic acid, citric acid - 90% of acid in latex).
Also contains: succinic, fumaric, aconitic, alonic, glycolic, lactic etc

Amino acid
Glutamic, alanine, aspartic acid ( constitute 81.% of total amino acid in
cytosol)

Nitrogenous bases
Methyl amin, tetramethylene diamine, pentamethylene diamine

Reducing agents
Cysteine, ascorbic acid

Nuecleotides
Adenosine, guanosine, uridine etc,

Yield 70 to 85 % as latex, the rest being field coagulum ( treelace, cup lump,
earth scrap, black shell)

Contamination During Collection:

20% from cut

20% from spout
60% from cup
bacteria population is 104 to 10 6 per ml of latex
bacteria thrive on the non-rubber constituents of latex producing acids

Short Term Preservation

Precoagulation
Happens in 4-6 hours. Depends on the mocroorganism and the nature
of latex
Prior to winter the Mg content in latex increase( faster coagulation)
During winter, due to loss of leaves, exposed to direct sun light (faster
coagulation)
Clonal susceptibility- some clones have high Mg content eg. GI 1, Tjir
16, LCB 1320. Young trees show high Mg content.
Rain water contamination also causes faster coagulation

Anticoagulants
Sodium sulphite,
ammonia
formalin
Choice of anticoagulants

Sodium sulphite a mild preservative, not good for latex with high
precoagulation tendency.
Ammonia general purpose, particularly used in concentrated latex
preservation. For PLC it gives discolouration. For sheet it gives
coagulation problems. For TSR coagulation problems ( because of
high ammonia content). (Low ammonia systems, in combination with
hydroxylamine or boric acid
Formalin- can be used with sheets; not used with PLC production
(discolouration). With conc. Latex it reacts with ammonia)

Loading

Sodium sulphite
White powder, stored in airtight containers
5% stock solution (50 g in 1 L water)
0.05% on the volume of latex is used ( 100 ml in 10 L latex)
excess retards drying. Tackiness (absorption of moisture by residual
salts which remain on the surface of rubber sheets)

ammonia
1% stock solution ( 1 kg of gas in 100 L of water ) ( or 50 ml of 20%
solution. Can be diluted to 1 L)
0.01% on the volume of the latex is used ( 100 ml in 10 L of latex)
stored in the coolest place, immersed in water, stopper may be
loosened slowly, left hand in an inclined position, wear goggles.

Formalin
1 % stock solution ( 25 ml in 1 L)
0.02 % on the latex volume ( 200 ml of the stock solution to 10 L of the
latrex)
for latex with high tendency of coagulation combination of sodium
sulphite and formalin can be used ( 0.02 and 0.02 vol %)

Hydroxylamine ammonia system

It is bactericide but does not preserve latex
Hydroxylamine neutal sulphate (HNS) is used along with ammonia
0.15% of HNS on the dry rubber content. Ammonia varies from 0.03 to
0.07 % on the volume of latex. For different lengths of preservation
(11, 19,30 estate and 5,11 and 20 hours of small holding)
The combination is prepared as one stock solution.
Boric acid

Used as short term preservative for field latex. Not as effective as

ammonia
Does not discolour rubber even when used at higher levels
Combination with ammonia is used in the production of light coloured
rubber
0.4 to 0.5% boric acid 0.07 % ammonia ( on the volume of latex) is
good (as good as 0.17 % ammonia alone)

Collection
Latex usually ceases 1.5 to 3.0 hours after tapping. Collected in
coconut shell cups or plastic cups and transferred to buckets which are
not to be exposed to sunlight.
Field coagulum collected and cleaned, sorted and stored after smoke
drying in smoke house (Long time exposure to sunlight or soaking
them in water for long periods may accelerate degradation)

Pre processing operation

1. Weighing
2. Estimation of DRC:
standard laboratory method ( 10 15 g of latex, acetic acid 2 %,
steam bath, 2 mm sheet, 70 deg. C 16 hours)

Longer drying time is one drawback. Overcome by using

methylated spirit. Ie. A mixture of 90 95 part by weight of
methylated spirit and 5-10 part by weight of acetic acid is used
for coagulation and the quantity of latex used is 3-4 g)

Dipper method (definite volume with a dipper, acetic acid 2 %

steam bath, 2 mm sheet, 70 deg C, 16 hours)

Metrolac method (easy and widely used method, not very

accurate)
Latex + 2 parts by weight of water, filled in a cylindrical jar of
slightly more dia than the Metrolac. Froth removed, Metrolac
dipped, reading multiplied by 3
Very convenient and fast But not very accurate

3. Sieving and bulking

Sieved first through a 40 mesh and then 60 mesh sieve(Monel metal,

Al or stainless steel)

4. Bulking is required for:

Uniformity
to remove sedimentable impurities
 (latex differ in colour, viscosity, DRC, mol. weight, susceptibility to
enzymatic action)

Done in brick work or concrete tank lined inside with glazed tiles.

Marketable forms

1. RSS,
2. PLC & sole Crepe,
3. Solid block rubber
4. Speciality rubber
5. Preserved filed latex
6. Latex concentrate
7. Estate brown crepe and solid block rubber;

Choice of processing method depends on:

Present and potential demand

and prices for the various marketable forms and their relative
cost of production,
size of plantations and their production.
Types of planting materials,
machinery, utilities and know-how.

Effluent

The specification parameters and their limits:

PH 5.5 9.0
BOD 30
COD 250
Suspended solids 100
Phosphate 5
Ammoniacal nitrogen 50 mg /L

Typical effluent from different latex processing units (Table 20.2 )

Treatment

Physical (Filtration, sedimentation and reverse osmosis)

Chemical Treatments (precipitation, flocculation, ion-exchange,

oxidation and reduction.

Biological ( Anaerobic/ aerobic ponding system( economic but more

space required) and oxidation ditch system (less space)
 Complex organic molecules Complex organic molecules +
oxygen

Hydrolysis Aerobic bacteria

Hydrolysed molecules CO2 + water

Acidification

Fatty acid/ alcohol

Favourable conditions (aneaerobic)

PH 6.5 to 7.5
absence of dissolved oxygen and
tolerable level of volatile acids and free ammonia (these are known to
be toxic to methano-bacteria)

for aerobic :
sufficient supply of oxygen from the photosynthesis of algae and
bacteria. Tolerable pH
sunlight
adequate availability of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus.

In oxidation ditch- supply of oxygen is achieved by mechanical aeration.

_____________________________________________________________
PRESERVED FIED LATEX AND LATEXS CONCENTRATE

Spontaneous coagulation in 6 12 hours

Preservation required

Attributes of a good preservative

Destroy or inactivate microorganisms

Contribute positively to stability
Deactivate or remove traces of metal ions
Not harmful, no adverse effect, cheap, ready availability, ease of
handling

Ammonia

0.7 1 % by weight of latex

fatty acids are hydrolysed (stability improved)
bactericide at 0.35% level and above
magnesium removed as sludge (Magnesium ammonium phosphate)
copper is deactivated as complexes

Drawbacks of Ammonia

Handling difficulties
Manufacturing problems
Hydrolysis of serum constituents (salts)
Loss of ZnO stability
Low Ammonia Preservative systems

Pentachlorophenol

Ammonia 0.2 %
Sodium pentachlorophenate 0.2 % (on the weight of whole latex)

Or : 0.1 : 0.1 = SPP : ammonia : EDTA

(Gelling problems, poisonous, dermatitis and discolouration)

ZDC

0.2 % ZDC : 0.2 % Ammonia and 0.2% Lauric acid (optional)

(Lauric acid is to improve mechanical stability(Discolouration on ageing)

BORIC ACID

% Boric acid, 0.2 % Ammonia and 0.05 Lauric acid

It is harmless, cheap, easily available and convenient to handle and has not
effect in vulcanisation.

Formaldehyde

Bactericide better than Ammonia

0.15 % - 0.2 % HCHO soon after collection.

Allow to stand for 15 to 30 hours (interacts with protein)
Finally ammonia up to 2% on aqueous phase (enhanced stability and
resistance to freezing)

CONCENTRARED LATEX

Sieving, bulking, ammonia bubbling ( 0.7 % to 1 % on volume of latex ).

Store for 15 to 20 minutes (sedimentation), transfer to drums, seal and market

Dosage

Filed latex ( 0.4 0. 5 % on latex) for 1- 2 days

Minimum concentration is 1 % ( for longer period)

Sludge Removal

Magnesium to be removed as sludge along with sand and other impurities

Phosphate comes from phospholips or from diammonium hydrogen

orthophosphate solution added to latex
Leave overnight

Preserved Latex Concentrate

Economy in transportation
High DRC
Better uniformity
Purity

Concentration

Evaporation, creaming, centrifuging and electrodecantation

Evaporation

Double walled cylindrical vessel and a hollow iron roller floating in the latex
(homogenises, prevents scum formation, minimises frothing and provides
stirring)

Spray hot latex into partially evacuated chamber

LUWA type evaporators

CREAMING

V = 2 g (Ds- Dr )2 / ( 9 )

Formation of a loose network between the molecules of the creaming agent

adsorbed upon the surface of the particfles and those dissolved in the serum.
Buoyancy of the clusters break them free from the network

Agent: sodium alginate, tamarind seed powder and methyl cellulose ( 0.2
0.3 % of dry material, calculated on the water phase of latex)

Factors affecting creaming

Concentration of creaming agent, age of latex, temperature, alkalinity of latex,
striring, soap ( 0.3 to 0.5% on latex)
Viscosity (Opt. PH 10.8 to 11.8 )

Process
Collection, ammoniation to 1%, ageing for a few days, desludging, (creaming
agent 3% solution prepared by boiling and sieved )
Calculated quantity to be added
10 % soap solution ( 0.3 % on latex). Leave till desired level of creaming ( 48
hours minimum)

Advantages
Simple equipment, lower labour cost, lower power consumption

Disadvantages
Slowness, efficiency depends on quality of latex
After creaming

Centrifuging
De Laval Machine that run at 6000 rpm

Ammonia content to be adjusted to 0.25% for immediate and 0.8% for more
than 2 days old latex
Final ammonia conte4nt in concentrated latex is 0.7% of latex. Packed in
drums

Efficiency of centrifuging

E = ( C x c ) / (F x f )
C = drc of cream
C = weight of cream
F = drc of field latex
F = weight of field latex
( usual value of efficiency is 0.85 to 0.90 )

SKIM RUBBER
Skim rubber 10 to 15 % of the incoming rubber
DRC of skim latex is 2.5 to 10 % and 2/3 serum. Protein content per unit
weight of rubber is more.

RECOVERY

Either natural coagulation or by addition of sulphuric acid. Coagulum

obtained is processed into crepe or sheet by conventional means with
thorough washing.

Improved Skim Rubber

Enzymatic de-proteinisation (Trypsin 1 kg / 1000 kg skim with 6 % rubber ), 25

hours in wax lined tanks. Trypsin is added as 8% slurry in water.
Deammoniation by agitation, sodium thiosulphate or sodium metabisulphate
addition, coagulation by dil. Formaic acid and then to crepe

Characteristics of Skim Rubber

Colour Light
Dirt Very low
Non rubber content Up to 30 %
Cu 4- 20 ppm
Acetone extractables 3 5%
Mill breakdown Normal
Power consumption Slightly higther
Mill shrinkage Less than for normal rubber
Cure rate Fast, giving scorcy compounds
Hardness Higher
Modulus Higher
Resilience Lower
Ageing behaviour Variable

ELECTRODECANTATION