Investigations of Dispersing Agents and Stabilizing Agents for Latex Mixtures, and the Behavior of Latex Mixtures When Stored
Abstract The great sensitivity to mechanical as well as to chemical influences which is possessed by latex, in common with all hydrophobic colloids, leads to immediate difficulties in the preparation of its mixtures. The ingredients, which in most cases are insoluble in water, must first be finely ground and then dispersed in water before being added to the latex mixture. Good dispersion is effected only by the use of high efficiency mechanical dispersion apparatus (ball mill, pigment grinding mill, etc.) and at the same time by the use of a suitable dispersing agent. Moreover, since latex mixtures may have to be stored for a long time, and since premature coagulation may take place during the preparation of such mixtures by the ingredients added or by mechanical influences, and later by incipient vulcanization, it is necessary to stabilize these latex mixtures in practice so that they can be handled safely. Much work has already been done on the stabilization of latex and latex mixtures, as a result of which a great number of products are recommended and used today. A certain stabilizing action is obtained by the addition of water, a greater stabilizing action by aqueous solutions of alkalies. Furthermore, soaps and soap-like compounds are used, e. g., casein is in general a good medium. A few special products are offered today by the chemical industry.