Surfactants for Coagulant

WEX product range

Stern (Thailand) ltd.

 Coagulant (non silicone)
• The most widely used dipping method is the use of dry coagulants such as
calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, cyclohexyl Ammonium acetate
A typical coagulant formulation is as follows:
NR. Rubber glove: NBR glove:
Calcium Nitrate 3-4% Calcium Nitrate (soll) 13-18%
Calcium Carbonate 8-15% Calcium Carbonate (soll) 5-10%
Surfactant 1-2% Surfactant 1-2%
Defoamer 0.01-0.03% Defoamer 0.01-0.03%
Water/solvent Rest Water/solvent Rest

- Stern developed several surfactants for the coagulant. The main purpose is to
use a surfactant with strong surface action/reduction, low foaming and excellent
wetting properties.
- The right choice of surfactant will reduces the reject rate, increases production
and reduces costs. With the right surfactant, defoamers can be eliminated.
Stern (Thailand) ltd.
 Surfactants used for Coagulants during the
last Decennia's
• Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylates / Octyl Phenol Ethoxylates
Products like: Triton X100 / X114, Igepal CA630, Tergitol N40
- Very good emulsifiers & wetting agents
- High foaming
- Environmental problems
- Difficult to dilute (solid form)

• Long Chain Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates (solid form) Wetting problems

Products like: Teric 16A16 / Vulcastab LW

- Moderate emulsifiers & wetting agent
- High foaming
- Difficult to dilute

• Diluted Long chain Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates

Products like: Teric 320 / WEX-101 / Octosol
- More Easy to Dilute
- Moderate emulsifiers & wetting agent
- High foaming TERIC 320 (high initial Foam / high foam after 5 min.)

- Use of Solvents
- Low active content
Stern (Thailand) ltd.
 Testing results
• Below an overview of the testing result by each product.
Criteria Measure Teric 320 WEX-101 WEX-103 WEX-109 WEX-T9

Solubility water -- -- ++ ++ ++

Foam Initial mm 170 170 149 119 110

Foam 5 min. mm 155 154 112 103 101

Cloud Point C 65 65 66 66 68

Wetting + + ++ ++ ++

Stabilizing MST ++ ++ ++ ++ +

Surface Tension + + ++ ++ ++

Dewebbing - - + + +

Emulsifying + + ++ ++ ++

Price Low Low Low Mod. High

TERIC is Trade name of Huntsman Corp

- poor
+ good
++ very good
Stern (Thailand) ltd.
 New Generation Surfactants for Coagulants
• WEX-101
- Long Chain Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate blend
- Direct replacement of TERIC320
- Excellent wetting, improve MST and moderate price

• WEX-103
- Long Chain Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate blend Emulsify properties Teric320

- Specialty developed for Thick NR and CR gloves, like household / heavy duty gloves.
- Excellent wetting, emulsifying, low foaming and moderate price.

• WEX-109
- Long Chain Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate blend
- Developed for thin NR or NBR gloves.
- Very low foaming, excellent wetting and surface tension reduction.

• WEX-T9
- Non-ionic surfactant blend
- Mostly used in production of thin NBR gloves Low Foam WEX-109

- Dewebbing properties, low foaming and excellent wetting

Stern (Thailand) ltd.
 Coagulant for dipping products
• The right surfactant for the right coagulant
A Stern coagulant formulation is as follows:
NR. Rubber glove: NBR glove:
Calcium Nitrate 3-4% Calcium Nitrate (soll) 13-18%
Calcium Carbonate 8-15% Calcium Carbonate (soll) 5-10%
WEX-103/109 1% WEX-T9 1%
Defoamer Deleted Defoamer Deleted
Water/solvent Rest Water/solvent rest
- WEX-103 Special developed product for NR latex gloves, preferred product
above TERIC 320 or Triton X100. Less foaming, no solvents, strong
reduction in surface tension, excellent emulsifier.

- WEX-T9 Excellent surfactant for glove dipping, low foaming and excellent wetting

- WEX-101 Basic wetting agent for a wide range of coagulant systems

Often the surfactant part is lower than 1% in the formulation. Underestimating the importance of
this part will have huge impact on the reject rate and production rate incl. cleaning of the molds.
Stern (Thailand) ltd.
 Coagulant (silicone)
• Besides a surfactant based Coagulant, Silicone Coagulants are often used:
A typical coagulant formulation is as follows:

Calcium HO3 5-10%

Magnesium CO3 1-5%
Surfactant 1-2% (optional)
Silicone Emulsion 0.05-0.3%
Water/solvent Rest

- Stern developed several silicone emulsions to optimize the performance of the

coagulant. These Emulsions are extremely stable and improve the gloss of the
final product.

Stern (Thailand) ltd.

 Silicone Emulsions
• WEX-SIL40
- Standard Silicone Oil Emulsion, solid content 40%
- Non-ionic stabilizer, neutral pH
- General purpose coagulant

• WEX-SIL65
- High solid silicone emulsion, 65%
- Non-ionic stabilized, neutral pH
- General purpose coagulant

• WEX-SIL140
- Specially developed silicone oil, 40% solid content
- Non-ionic stabilized, neutral pH
- Extremely good releasing properties

Stern (Thailand) ltd.

 Latex Compounds

For every latex application Stern can supply a range of customs

designed products to improve the process and the final product.

Other products of Stern:

Dewebbers
Defoamers
Surface improvers
Emulsifiers
Wetting agents
Thickeners
Foaming Agents
Stern (Thailand) ltd.