Solving flocculation problem of chloroprene latex
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Date
2019-07
Authors
Yaw Choon Wai
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Abstract
Coagulant dipping of chloroprene latex is commonly used to produce nasopharyngeal airway. In the manufacturing plant, it was found that flocculation of chloroprene latex has caused defects in the product, for example, blister and uneven thickness. It is hypothesized that the flocculation contributed by excessive coagulant concentration (50%) and colloidal instability of the chloroprene latex. In this study, the flocculation problem of chloroprene latex was solved by using two methods, i.e. reduced calcium nitrate coagulant concentration (from 50% to 20%) and adding surfactant (non-ionic and anionic). The investigation of flocculation was done by using first analysing the floc, followed by determination of flocculation onset (flocs formation) using pH measurement, particle size and zeta potential analysis. Coagulant dipping with 20% calcium nitrate coagulant prolong flocculation onset compared to 50% calcium nitrate coagulant. Anionic surfactant has successfully delayed the flocculation onset of the chloroprene latex (with coagulant concentration of 20%). The combination of zeta potential and particle size can be used as flocs indicators for chloroprene latex.