Many rubber products that have a direct impact on our health and quality of life today – gloves, condoms, baby bottle teats, catheters and various other medical devices – are made by dipping elastomers in a latex form. Whilst there are many technical articles covering polymer latices, there are few that look in detail into the actual processes employed by the manufacturers to make these products, the constraints that they face and the problems that they must overcome to compete successfully in the market place.
This book looks to help fill that gap by describing, in practical terms, the raw materials used in modern latex dipping, how these materials are prepared for use and the actual processes employed to convert these materials into a finished product. Some of the scientific principles that will be encountered in the production procedures are described in a simplified form to help those involved in the manufacturing operations understand the critical principles involved in latex dipping. In addition, advice is given on the reinforcement of dipped-latex products, quality control, problem solving and validation of the manufacturing processes in an industry that is becoming increasingly regulated.
The book will be of value to all those engaged in the manufacture of dipped-latex products, production plant supervisors, those working in quality control, testing laboratories and technical support functions. It is hoped that those involved in the research and development of latex dipping, together with interested workers outside of the direct manufacturing industry, for example, in universities and colleges, will also find it a useful insight into modern manufacturing with latex products, and how science and technology are coming together to provide products to make our world a better place in which to live.