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Latex Chemicals A4!04!2017
Latex Chemicals A4!04!2017
Latex chemicals
Product range and applications
Latex Chemicals 1
LATEX APPLICATIONS
LANXESS is a globally operating supplier of latex chemicals Please find below information on our portfolio of latex chemi-
for the latex processing industry with a broad product range, cals. For further or more detailed information e.g. on food
tailored to meet the requirements of a wide variety of applica- contact applications please do not hesitate to contact our
tions. local experts. You will find their addresses at the end of this
brochure.
Several generations of latex specialists
In latex processing LANXESS can look back on a long history Know-how for your products
of achievement. Important milestones include the first patent Whatever your application is, chemicals experts at LANXESS
for synthetic latex in 1912 and the development of thiazoles will provide individual technical advice tailored to your needs.
and dithiocarbamates as accelerators, which are particularly We are aiming to optimize applications for individual custom-
suitable for the manufacture of dipped and molded articles. ers by modifying products or formulations.
Further landmarks were innovations in an important class of
zinc oxides, and in colloidal sulfur, antioxidants and special- Examples of solutions
purpose latex chemicals. For producers of rubber threads, for example, a special for-
mulation of the accelerator ZMBT containing only a small
Expertise at every level amount of free MBT has been developed.
This considerable experience is one of the reasons why Due to its structure, MBT can cause breakage in fine rubber
LANXESS has become one of the most important partners threads. By reducing the free MBT content we have managed
of the latex processing industry. Others include the high qual- to improve the quality and reduce the number of rejects. The
ity of the products, which is assured through internal and following pages illustrate further examples.
external quality management systems, the high reliability of
delivery ensured through in-house production and a world-
wide service network, enabling LANXESS to provide individu-
al on-site support for specific issues concerning latex.
Coagulated goods Foams Shoes Automotive Property required Latex types End product Crosslinking Chemicals
International abbreviation
vulcanization
High elasticity Natural latex (NR) Examination gloves Vulcanization paste Colloidal Sulfur 50, Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Zinc Oxide
Surgical gloves Transparent, Vulkacit® LDA, Vulkacit® ZBEC/C,
Examination gloves
Household gloves
Balloons, Condoms Vulkacit® ZM-2, Vulkanox® SKF, Vulkanox® MB2/MG
Foam mattresses
Rubberized hairs
Shoe inner soles
Industrial gloves
Leather crumbs
Artificial leather
Surgical gloves
Wiping cloths
Carpet foams
Latex threads
High elasticity Natural latex (NR) Rubber threads Vulcanization paste Colloidal Sulfur 50, Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkacit® LDA,
Adhesives
Tire cords
Condoms
Vulkacit® ZM-2, Vulkacit® 576, Vulkanox® SKF
Balloons
Gaskets
Low permeability Nitrile latex (NBR) Surgical gloves Vulcanization paste Colloidal Sulfur 50, Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkacit® LDA,
Latex chemicals Industrial gloves Vulkacit® P extra N, Vulkacit® ZBEC/C,
Accelerators Vulkacit® ZM-2, Vulkacit® 576, Vulkanox® SKF
Vulkacit® LDA ZDEC Low swelling Nitrile latex (NBR) Gaskets Vulcanization paste Colloidal Sulfur 50, Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkacit® LDA,
Vulkacit® LDB ZDBC Vulkacit® P extra N, Vulkacit® ZBEC/C,
Vulkacit® ZM, Vulkanox® SKF
Vulkacit® P extra N ZEP
Vulkacit® ZBEC/C ZBEC Chemical resistance Chloroprene latex (CR) Industrial gloves Vulcanization paste Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkacit® 576
High elasticity Natural latex (NR) Mattresses Colloidal Sulfur 50, Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkacit® LDA,
Vulkacit® Thiuram/C TMTD
Vulkacit® ZM, Vulkanox® BKF, Vulkanox® SKF
Vulkacit ZM/ZM-2*
®
ZMBT
Foamability, Styrene-butadiene latex Carpet backing Vulcanization paste Colloidal Sulfur 50, Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkacit® LDA,
Vulkacit® Merkapto* MBT
mechanical stability (SBR) Vulkacit® ZM, Vulkanox® HS
NaMBT Solution* NaMBT
Abrasion resistance Nitrile latex (NBR) Artificial leather Vulcanization paste Colloidal Sulfur 50, Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkacit® LDA,
Vulkacit® 576
Industrial gloves Vulkacit® ZM, Vulkacit® 576, Vulkacit® P extra N,
Antioxidants Vulkanox® SKF
Vulkanox® SP*/** SPH Washability Nitrile latex (NBR) Wiping cloth Vulcanization paste Colloidal Sulfur 50, Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkacit® LDA,
Vulkanox® SKF* Vulkacit® ZM, Vulkacit® P extra N
Vulkanox® MB2/MG* MMB Stiffness Styrene-butadiene latex Toe caps No paste –
Vulkanox® ZMB2*/C-5* ZMMBI (SBR)
Vulkanox® HS* TMQ Good bonding Chloroprene latex (CR) Inner soles Vulcanization paste Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkanox® BKF
Specialties
Heat sensitivity Nitrile latex (NBR) Wiping cloth Vulcanization paste Emulvin® WA, Coagulant WS
Zinc Oxide Transparent Artificial leather
Zinkoxyd aktiv®
Flexibility Natural latex (NR) Leatherboard Vulcanization paste Colloidal Sulfur 50, Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkacit® LDA,
Colloidal Sulfur 50 Vulkacit® ZM, Vulkanox® SKF
Coagulant WS
Oil resistance Nitrile latex (NBR) Industial gloves Vulcanization paste Colloidal Sulfur 50, Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkacit® LDA,
Emulvin® WA Vulkacit® ZBEC/C, Vulkacit® ZM, Vulkacit® P extra N,
Emulvin® AS Vulkanox® SKF
Zinc oxide crosslinking Nitrile latex (XNBR); Various applications Zinc oxide disper- Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Zinc Oxide Transparent
* Marketed by LANXESS business unit Advanced Industrial Intermediates Styrene-butadiene latex sion
** Marketed only outside the EU (SBR)
Ozone resistance Chloroprene latex (CR) Weather balloons Vulcanization paste Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkanox® BKF,
Vulkanox® MB2/MG
Permeability Chloroprene latex (CR) Gloves Vulcanization paste Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkanox® BKF
Water permeability Chloroprene latex (CR) Bitumen modification Vulcanization paste Emulvin® WA
Chloroprene latex (CR) Inner soles Vulcanization paste Zinkoxyd aktiv®, Vulkanox® BKF
The use of vulcanization accelerators such as dithiocar- odor but has low resistance to aging which means that anti- One of the main objectives of manufacturers is to increase the The changes in the mechanical properties of a vulcanizate
bamates (ZDEC, ZDBC, ZDMC and ZEPC) and thiurams oxidants must also be used. Vulcanization is slower than with aging resist-ance of polymers. Everyone involved in manufac- caused by the aging process depend on the result of the
(TMTD), just to mention the most important types of latex the nitrosamine-forming dithiocarbamates. The graphs below turing latex products, whether from latex alone or in combina- three competing reactions. Generally only reactions 1 and 2
accelerators, can cause the formation of carcinogenic ni- show different vulcanization curves that can be controlled tion with other materials, is striving to prolong the life of these are effective, with the third playing merely a minor role.
trosamines during vulcanization and subsequent storage. using Vulkacit® ZBEC. products. The fundamental requirements can be satisfied by
LANXESS offers the product Vulkacit® ZBEC which, ac- using suitable antioxidants. Such products can be classified In the case of natural rubber, reaction 1 initially dominates,
cording to current knowledge, does not form any danger- Theoretical vulcanization curves as follows: so that after a maximum has been reached (in the case of
ous nitrosamines (please see for example German Technical Monofunctional or oligofunctional amines thiazole-based accelerators), it is mainly a softening of the po-
Regulations on Hazardous Substances, TRGS 552). It is in Example: Vulkanox® 4020 lymerizate that is observed. As the aging continues, reaction
chemical compliance with 21 CFR FDA §§ 175.105 (Adhe- Monofunctional or oligofunctional phenols 2 wins the upper hand and the hardness begins to increase
Scorch time
sives) and 177.2600 (Rubber articles intended for repeated Example: Vulkanox® SKF again. Fully oxidized natural rubber vulcanizates are normally
use), subject to the limitations of these regulations and any Heterocyclic merkapto (-SH) compounds hard, stiff and thermoplastic. The increase in hardness is al-
other applicable regulations. It also is in chemical compliance Example: Vulkanox® MB2 ways combined with an increase in modulus and a loss in
within certain limits with the German BfR* Recommendation elongation.
XXI (Commodities based on Natural and Synthetic Rubber). Reversion Some basic information on oxidation and
too slow slow ideal fast too fast antioxidants A combination of Vulkanox® SKF and Vulkanox® MB2 has a
Safer production The oxidation tendency of a polymer depends essentially not synergistic effect on the protection of latex articles. The pro-
The use of Vulkacit® ZBEC reduces the formation of nitrosa- only on its content of double bonds, but also on the atoms tection effect is significantly larger compared to the effect of
mines to such an extent that they become negligible in the near the double bonds. The vulcanization system, as well one of the single components. Furthermore, the combination
manufacture of products such as foam coatings for carpet as the antioxidant, plays a part in the oxida-tion process. As is effective against rubber poisons in general.
coverings (GuT carpet regulations for Europe), car seats a general rule, in the linking of the rubber molecule chains
made of rubberized hair and all kinds of gloves. This is par- through sulfur (Sx) bridges, the aging resistance is always
ticularly important when exporting these articles to Europe better with lower values of x.
and the USA where legal specifications demand the use of
“safe amines”. The antioxidant effect is based on the existence of active H
atoms in the molecule. Essentially this involves:
Technical information -SH
Vulkacit® ZBEC is mainly used as an ultra-accelerator for latex -OH
One step in the production process of rubber gloves:
articles such as dipped goods, impregnated nonwoven fab- The pre-dipping -NH groups
rics, and foam. It does not cause discoloration, has a neutral
These hydrogen atoms work as chain breakers for the radical
* BfR = Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.
chain reactions that transfer oxygen to the polymer substrate.
Any remaining antioxidant not involved in this process is sta-
bilized mesomerically.
Vulcanization of highly sensitive articles – Colloidal Sulphur 50
Oxygen aging reactions
Oxygen can trigger the following reactions within the product:
Fine-particle Colloidal Sulfur 50 for highly sensitive Higher product quality
1. Scission of the molecular chain – network loosened (deg-
articles The use of milled and predispersed colloidal sulfur leads to
radation/softening) Vulkanox® protected goods with excellent aging resistance
In the traditional vulcanization technology of latex, sulfur is very high transparency in latex films. Due to its special produc-
2. Crosslinking – network closed (cyclization, hardening)
required as crosslinker. Colloidal Sulfur 50 is a special prod- tion process the particle size of Colloidal Sulfur 50 is much
3. Bonding in polymer – chain cleaved or recrosslinked
uct from LANXESS which, due to its high transparency and smaller compared to standard sulfur grades. This allows far
outstanding dispersibility, is predominantly suitable for the better distribution in latex compounds, reducing sedimenta-
production of highly sensitive articles, such as the production tion and the risk of overcuring due to poor distribution which
of condoms. is possible with regular sulfur.
Reduction of the zinc content in latex compounds Zinc Oxide Transparent The concentration of zinc ions in waste water is regulated for Zinc++ in wastewater
with Zinkoxyd aktiv® Zinc Oxide Transparent is chemically a caustic zinc carbon- example in the United States by the Clean Water Act. Even in
Organic vulcanization accelerators nearly always require the ate. It can be used as alternative to zinc oxide if its higher countries where there are no such regulations, there is a need
addition of inorganic and/or organic activators . The most im- solubility in rubber and a high trans-parency of light colored for a reduction of zinc ions in waste water streams in accord-
portant inorganic activator is zinc oxide. For economic and rubber article are desired. Due to its higher molecular weight ance with the Responsible Care initiative. Since the manu-
especially environmental reasons, however, it is desirable to and to achieve the same degree of vulcanization, however, it facture of gloves necessitates several washing routines owing
0.75 aktiv ++
keep the zinc oxide content in latex compounds as low as is necessary for stoichiometric reasons to use higher amounts to the proteins, stabilizers and chemicals contained in natu-
1.5 aktiv ++
1.0 aktiv ++
0.5 aktiv ++
1.5 WS +
1.0 WS +
no Zinc
possible. LANXESS offers two special Zinc Oxide grades for of zinc carbonate than of standard zinc oxide. Zinc carbonate ral latex, large amounts of waste water are generated. The
this application to meet this requirement. also has a greater stiffening effect than zinc oxide. use of finely divided, surface-active zinc oxide will reduce the Zinc oxide quantities in gloves
likelihood of separate treatment measures being necessary in
6 gloves 10 gloves += Zinc oxide WS ++= Zinkoxyd aktiv®
Zinkoxyd aktiv® has particularly fine particles and contains Making environmental and economic sense order to meet wastewater standards.
a very high surface area as indicator for its activity. For this Both products, Zinkoxyd aktiv® and Zinc Oxide Transparent,
reason, an addition of 0.5 phr to natural latex, for example, can be easily incorporated into latex. During preparation of Advantages in production and disposal
is enough to help ensure that for many purposes vulcaniza- the vulcanization paste the amount of dispersing agent has Zinkoxyd aktiv® is also a suitable alternative for European car-
tion proceeds at an acceptable rate to give a sufficient de- to be increased to compensate for the larger surface area of pet manufacturers. First of all, efforts to reduce the amount
gree of cure. With standard grade or coarser particle size these highly active products. Zinkoxyd aktiv® in particular has of zinc in these formulations will lower the concentration of
products, higher additions or longer vulcanization times are important benefits in the production of latex articles. Owing to zinc ions in wastewater. Secondly, the incineration of scrap
required. Further more the articles obtained by curing with its very fine particles, Zinkoxyd aktiv® can considerably lower carpet is subject to limits which can be exceeded by the use
Zinkoxyd aktiv® are more transparent compared to those the zinc content of a latex compound. At the same time, the of larger amounts of zinc oxides with a low surface area. For
produced using other grades. large surface area of the zinc oxide particles prevents an in- this reason, it is recommended that in the foam coating of tuft-
crease in the number of zinc ions in the waste water. This ed carpets by the gel process, normal zinc oxide seal grades
For economic and especially environmental
considerably reduces environmental impact and helps to (RS, GS and WS) should be replaced by grades with a higher reasons: keeping the zinc oxide content in latex
save costs. surface area such as Zinkoxyd aktiv®. compounds as low as possible
Coagulant WS was originally developed as a heat sensitizer. Coagulant WS for an even film thickness and more Dispersing agents are important chemicals in the pro-
In practice it turned out that this product could do a lot more. homogeneous film formation duction of latex articles.
Today it is used as a release agent, a film former, a film thick- The addition of Coagulant WS leads to a more even film for- With Emulvin® AS, LANXESS offers a dispersing agent
ness equalizer, a defoaming agent and as a viscosity regulator mation, especially in the case of gloves made of NBR. Incor- that has additional benefits for the quality of latex goods
in carpet manufacture. porating only a small amount into the latex compound im- through dispersions of rubber chemicals. It wets the powder
proves the rate of coagulation and thus prevents visible flaws materials used in latex compounding , which are insoluble
Heat sensitization with Coagulant WS on the latex film. Gloves that are produced this way show sig- in water to bring them into dispersion. Once materials are
Since the initial phase of Coagulant WS the product is used nificantly improved appearance and also production is more dispersed, Emulvin® AS prevents re-aggregation in the latex
as a coagulator for heat sensitive latex compounds. Together reliable. dispersion. Emulvin® AS is a light yellow to brown colour
with the emulsifier Emulvin® WA, this polysiloxane specifically powder which is soluble in water and also free flowing for
adjusts the coagulation point of latex compounds. In this way, Coagulant WS as a release agent excellent dosage. Replacing an existing dispersing agent in a
migration of the latex particles to the surface can be avoided, In glove manufacturing, Coagulant WS improves the release formulation with Emulvin® AS is possible, usually in the ratio
for example, when thick textile structures such as nonwovens properties of the vulcanized latex when added to the pre-dip 1:1.
are impregnated with heat-sensitive latex compounds. This solution before applying it to the former. This helps to avoid Simplified dispersion of latex chemicals with Emulvin® AS
property is also used with cleaning cloths: in this case after overstretching of the latex film while it is not yet completely Compared to casein, dispersions based on Emulvin® AS do
a specific penetration time the foam can be spontaneously vulcanized and reduces the number of flaws. The adhesive not show the tendency of petrification.
coagulated into the nonwoven or fabric by infrared treatment. effect of natural latex is also slightly reduced.
Emulvin® WA – increasing
the quality of latex products
LANXESS Corporation LANXESS Hong Kong Limited LANXESS India Private Limited
BU Rhein Chemie BU Rhein Chemie BU Rhein Chemie
111 RIDC Park West Drive 36/F, Cambridge House, LANXESS House
Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1112, USA Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road Plot No. A-162-164
Phone: +1 412-809-1000 Island East, Hongkong, PR China Road No. 27, MIDC, Wagle Estate
Phone: +852-35268885 Thane (W) – 400 604
Maharashtra, India
LANXESS Corporation
Phone: +91 22 2587 1000
BU Rhein Chemie
145 Parker Court
Chardon, OH 44024, USA
Phone: +1 440 285 3547
Our technical advice – whether verbal, in writing or by way of trials – is given in good faith but without warranty, and
this also applies where proprietary rights of third parties are involved. It does not release you from the obligation to test
the products supplied by us as to their suitability for the intended processes and uses. The application, use and pro-
cessing of the products are beyond our control and, therefore, entirely your own responsibility. Should, in spite of this,
liability be established for any damage, it will be limited to the value of the goods delivered by us and used by you. We
will, of course, provide products of consistent quality within the scope of our General Conditions of Sale and Delivery.
R3/500GA0417
rubber.additives@lanxess.com Emulvin®, Vulcacit®, Vulkanox® and Zinkoxyd aktiv® are registered trademarks of
rch.lanxess.com LANXESS Deutschland GmbH, Germany.