There are two types of vulcanization system in latex, pre-vulcanisation and postvulacanisation.

Pre-vulcanisation is done while the latex is still in liquid state but postvulcanisation is done on latex film. Thus, crosslinking form within rubber particle for prevulcanization but crosslinking form between rubber particles in post-vulcanisation
Pre-vulcanized latex is defined as latex in which the rubber particles are chemically
crosslinked so that, upon the drying of the latex, a vulcanized film is obtained without
further heating. Pre-vulcanized latex compounds are good in adhesion and has shorter
drying times with products of high clarity. The rate of of pre-vulcanization varies with
different vulcanization systems, and the extent of pre-vulcanisation will influence the final
vulcanizate properties

Characteristic of coagulum formed according to chloroform number

Chloroform Number

Physical Appearance

The coagulum is tacky, breaking in a stringy manner when

stretched

The coagulum is a weak lump which breaks short when stretch

The coagulum has the form of non-tacky agglomerates

The coagulum has the form of small dry crumbs

Procedure:
(i.)

Preparation of NR latex compound:

1. 1858.70 g of NR latex was weighed and poured into a flat-bottomed flask.
2. All the compounding ingredients were prepared and weighed according to the
formulation in Table 1.
3. The latex was first colloidally stabilized by putting stabilizer (potassium hydroxide
and potassium oleate). Then, the latex was compounded with other ingredients.
4. The latex compound was stirred using an electrical stirrer at room temperature and
300 rpm for one hours to get a homogeneous compound.

(ii.)

Pre-Vulcanization:
1. The compounded latex was heating in the water bath at 70C for latex prevulcanization process.
2. As NR latex compound was stirred by the electrical stirrer, stop watch was started.
3. After 2 minutes, about 10 cm3 of latex was taken out to perform the chloroform
number test. About equal amount of chloroform were mixed and stirred with spatula
until the coagulum was formed.
4. The degree of curing was determined and graded after the coagulum was allowed
to stand for 2 minutes.
5. After that, chloroform test (step 2 and 3) was carried out for every 5 minutes.
6. After the chloroform number was determined, about 400 ml of latex was poured out
into different beakers with chloroform number 1, 2, 3, and 4.
7. The latex was kept for the dipping process to produce latex films.

(iii.)

Dipping process:

1. The plate (used as formers) is dipped into acetic acid and distilled water for cleaning.
2. The plate was dried in oven at 100 C for 5 minute.
3. The plates was dipped into coagulant tank for 10 seconds and then placed into oven
at temperature of 100 C in 5 minutes.
4. The dry coagulant plate are immersed into latex tank for 10 seconds and then placed
into oven for post-cured at temperature of 100 C for 1 hour.
5. The dipped plates are hung at room temperature for at least 24 hours.
6. After 24 hours, latex film was stripped from the plate by using powder calcium
carbonate.
(iv.)
Tensile properties test:
1. 5 dumbbell shape latex films were cut by using dumbbell cutter.

2. The thickness of the film was measured using thickness gauge.

3. Tensile tests were then carried out using the tensometer (Instron machine) at the
speed of 500 mm/min. The results were recorded.