Study on rapid measurement technic of dry rubber content in latex cup lump by electrical properties

Abstract

Dry rubber content meter is substantial tool for Impartial trade on rubber cup lump. Department of Agriculture researchers proposed rapid measurement technic of dry rubber content in latex cup lumps by their electrical properties. Two probe types needle and roller were designed, in the first phase, constructed, installed and tested. Needle type probe of 25 mm. in length and 5 mm. apart was selected in measuring electrical properties of cup lump samples as its penetration depth is half of the thickness. Two cylindrical rollers probe of 220 mm. in length and 101.6 mm. (4 inches) in diameter powered by 2 HP gear motor were designed, constructed, installed and tested. Rubber cup lump samples were each statistical divided into 9 regularly measuring parts in needle type probe. Rubber cup lump samples in rollers type probe were typically enforced to pass through 1-inch gap between two rollers. Irregular size sample of more than 76.2 mm. (3 inches) thickness of rubber cup were sliced before measuring into 2 equal thickness pieces. Electrical properties of samples were acquired by standard electrical measuring instruments and percentage of dry rubber content were determined by standard oven method for all sample segments. As the results of this study, rubber content percentage of cup lump was correlated with electrical capacitance than resistance. Electrical capacity value of the latex cup lump from needle-type and two roller-type probes were inversely correlated with the percentage of dry rubber content within the range of 0 – 75 nF and 0 – 380 nF and coefficient of determinations were 0.90 and 0.97, respectively. These initiate features will be utilized in designing of percentage of dry rubber content prototype meter by electrical property values in the future. Percentage of dry rubber content from DRC method of lump from fresh latex and conventional cup lump by oven method was significantly correlate. Electrical properties of latex cup lump produced in the laboratory and farmers are also significantly consistent.