Abstract Rubber latex has become a very important raw material and finds many applications, ranging from the proofing of fabrics and impregnation of paper to the manufacture of elastic threads, can-sealing compounds, adhesives, and upholstery. A large amount of research work has been carried out in the East with a view to supplying preserved latex suitable for these processes. The latex as it leaves the tree has an average dry rubber content of about 33 to 35 per cent, and is so unstable that it will coagulate within a few hours unless a preservative is added. Ammonia has been found to be a suitable preservative and, in spite of the continued search for new materials, it remains in general use. The problem of concentrating the latex to avoid the shipment of surplus water arose early. Three methods for carrying out this operation were developed, namely, centrifugal concentration, creaming by the addition of gums and mucilages, and evaporation. A fourth method, utilizing the phenomena of electrodialysis, has recently been the subject of commercial development. The advent of concentrated latex widened the field of latex applications, since the concentrated products found uses for which preserved field latex was not suitable. For many processes the properties and applications of the latex or concentrate are now perhaps more important that the question of shipping cost. Various types of product, described briefly below, are obtained from the different processes of concentration.
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