Preserved and Concentrated Latex

Concentration of latex is necessary because of the preference by the latex products manufacturing industry for latex with high dry rubber content (DRC), and for transport economy and purification of the latex. The processes for concentration include evaporation, electrodecantation, creaming, and centrifuging. Evaporation removes only water and hence the ratio of non-rubber constituents to rubber, and the particle size distribution remain unchanged. However, the other three processes involve the partial removal of non-rubber materials and smaller rubber particles. Centrifuging and creaming are more popularly used for the production of concentrated latex. 

The principle of creaming and centrifuging involves the application of Stokes Law [17]. In any dispersion, the dispersed particles cream or sediment under the influence of gravity and the velocity of creaming depends on several factors and is stated mathematically as  

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