What are latex compounds?

Natural latex is produced from the Hevea Brasiliensis rubber tree. These trees are found in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Liberia and as such are usually processed and shipped from these locations. Natural latex is a white liquid that is produced from these trees and when the latex is delivered to a processing station is where it is strained and concentrated. The latex has to be collected before coagulation can occur. The latex is processed by being put into a centrifuge, stabilizers are added, water is removed and increases the rubber content of the latex. After this process has been completed it is now known as latex concentrate and contains 60% rubber.

It becomes a compound when other raw materials are added to it. These are usually water based to achieve the desired performance characteristics. Custom latex compounds are using in a variety of markets, industries and has many uses. It has unique physical and chemical properties such as elasticity which makes it even more useful.

There are a few kinds of compounds:

Precoat - Compounds based on styrene-butadiene latex, filled or not filled with calcium carbonate. This is typically used in primers and carpets

Secondary Backing - Compounds based on styrene-butadiene latex, filled or not filled with calcium carbonate. This is used in thread of tufted and needle carpets.

Self-gel Foam - ​Compounds based on a mixture of natural latex with latex based on styrene-butadiene, filled or not filled with calcium carbonate. It is necessary the use of a vulcanizing agent. Engraving accepted without addition of a gelling agent. When using infrareds the product solidifies. This usually has great water resistance and superior qualities.

Sodium Silicofluoride Gel Foam​ - Compounds based on a mixture of natural latex with latex based on styrene-butadiene, filled or not filled with inert filler. After applying a gelling agent and using infra-reds the product solidifies.

Automotive Compounds - Compounds based on carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex, with carboxilato, available in various hardnesses, for thermoformables. This is typically used in mats and other uses in vehicles.

Flame Retardant and Anti-static Compounds - Flame retardant latex compounds, compliant with numerous regulations which is usually used in coatings.

Close to 20 million tonnes were produced over the last year with only 42% of this being natural - making synthetic compounds far more popular today.

In the paint and coatings industry latexes have become more popular since the 1940s and these synthetic latexes use a binder in water that forms films by fusion of the plastic particles as the water evaporates. The properties of this such a hardness, flexibility, adhesion, colour retention and the resistance to other chemicals are highly useful in this industry.

Other uses include:

• Household, surgeon and industrial work gloves
• Catheters
• Condoms
• Balloons
• Carpets
• Automotive parts
• Special effects make up
• Body paint
• Clothing
• Shoes
• Toys
• Masks
• Road construction
• Waterproofing

and many more. There are endless uses for latex compounds today. So much so that there are probably many products in your home that you didn't even realise used a latex compound. Latex compounds are extremely versatile and can be used in almost anything!