Latex adhesives are made from natural rubber latex by adding stabilizers, wetting agents, and other components. They are applied to the substrate by brush, spray, doctor knife, or reverse roll coater. The adhesive is dried to film near room temperature. The adhesive strength can be improved by vulcanizing the system. The applications of latex adhesives are to porous substances such as paper, leather, and textiles.
Latex adhesives can be handled easily because they are more fluid due to lower solid content. They have little incendiary risk because of the absence of solvent. They are cheaper because they do not contain solvent, which is lost on drying. However, natural rubber solution adhesives possess intrinsically greater adhesion to the substrate than do latex adhesives. Following are some examples of nonvulcanizing natural rubber latex.
1. Self-seal envelope adhesive
Parts by weight (wet)
60% |
Natural rubber latex |
167 |
10% |
Potassium hydroxide solution |
2 |
50% |
Aqueous dispersion of zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (accelerator) |
1 |
Parts by Weight (wet)
60% Natural rubber latex 167
20% Ethylenediaminetetracetic acid solution 2.5
59% Aqueous dispersion of
poly(2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline) (antioxidant) 1