Latex
Whatsapp Order
Latex is a natural or synthetic colloidal dispersion of polymer microparticles in an aqueous medium. Natural latex is harvested from rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) and appears as a milky fluid rich in rubber particles suspended in water. Synthetic latexes are produced from various monomers such as styrene-butadiene or acrylics. Latex exhibits excellent elasticity, flexibility, and adhesive properties. It is widely used in manufacturing gloves, balloons, coatings, adhesives, paints, and various molded products. Its film-forming ability, water resistance, and durability make it a versatile material across industries.
Description
Latex
 Primary UsesÂ
- Medical and Healthcare
- Manufacturing of disposable gloves, catheters, and medical tubing due to its flexibility, barrier properties, and comfort.
- Used in wound dressings and adhesives.
- Rubber Products Manufacturing
- Production of balloons, condoms, elastic bands, and rubber threads.
- Used in foam rubber products such as mattresses and pillows.
- Adhesives and Coatings
- Key ingredient in natural rubber adhesives for bonding paper, wood, fabric, and other substrates.
- Used in latex paints and coatings for water resistance and elasticity.
- Textiles and Footwear
- Employed as a binder in textile coatings and carpet backing.
- Used in shoe soles and protective covers.
Secondary Uses
- Arts and Crafts
- Used for making molds, masks, and special effects in theater and film due to its flexible film formation.
- Construction Industry
- Incorporated in concrete additives and sealants to improve water resistance and flexibility.
- Household Products
- Found in household gloves, sponges, and elastic bands.
PRODUCT KEY FEATURES
- Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) for natural latex; varies for synthetic latex
- Common/Trade Name: Latex; Natural Rubber Latex; Synthetic Latex
- CAS Number: 9006-04-6 (natural rubber latex)
- HS Code: 4001.10.00 (natural rubber latex)
- Synonyms: Rubber latex; Natural latex; Synthetic latex
- Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Milky liquid (dispersion)
- Color & Odor: White to pale yellow; characteristic rubber odor
- Solubility: Insoluble in water; stable colloidal dispersion
- pH: Typically 6.5–7.5 (natural latex)
- Viscosity: Variable depending on formulation
- Safety & Hazard Attributes
- GHS Classification: May cause skin sensitization (allergic reactions) in sensitive individuals
- Toxicity: Low toxicity; allergenic potential due to proteins in natural latex
- Exposure Limits: No specific limits, but caution advised for sensitized individuals
- Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat to prevent coagulation
- Container Type: Stored in sealed drums or tanks designed for colloidal suspensions
- Shelf Life: 6-12 months under optimal conditions
- Handling Precautions: Avoid prolonged skin contact; use protective gloves especially for those with latex allergy
- Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Complies with FDA and EU standards for medical-grade latex products
- Subject to regulations on allergen labeling for consumer safety
- Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Natural latex is biodegradable; synthetic varies
- Ecotoxicity: Generally low, but waste disposal should follow local environmental regulations
- Bioaccumulation: Not applicable
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified
SAFETY HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
- Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE Required: Gloves recommended; respiratory protection if aerosolized latex particles are present
- Handling Guidelines: Use in well-ventilated areas; avoid aerosolizing latex particles to reduce allergy risk
- Storage Measures: Keep containers tightly closed and protected from temperature extremes
- First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air if respiratory irritation occurs
- Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water; seek medical attention if allergic reaction develops
- Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with water; seek medical advice if irritation persists
- Ingestion: Seek medical advice; generally low toxicity
- Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Combustible material; produces dense smoke when burned
- Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, or dry chemical extinguishers
- Special Precautions: Wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
- Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, and other toxic fumes
Related products
Candelilla Wax
 Candelilla Wax is a natural vegetable wax derived from the leaves of the Euphorbia cerifera shrub, native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It appears as a hard, brittle, light yellow to brown wax with a mild, characteristic odor. This wax is valued for its high melting point, gloss-enhancing properties, and excellent binding capabilities. It is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and industrial applications as a vegan alternative to beeswax. Its film-forming, emollient, and stabilizing attributes make it a multifunctional ingredient across several industries.
Castor Oil Food Grade
Castor Oil Food Grade is a pale yellow to almost colorless, viscous vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. This oil is known for its unique composition, predominantly containing ricinoleic acid, which imparts excellent lubricity, emulsifying, and conditioning properties. The food grade variant is refined and purified to meet stringent food safety standards, making it suitable for direct consumption and use as a processing aid or additive in food products. Castor Oil Food Grade is valued for its stability, non-toxicity, and functional versatility in both food and non-food sectors.
Ceto Stearyl Alcohol 1618TA
Ceto Stearyl Alcohol 1618TA is a high-quality fatty alcohol blend primarily composed of cetyl (C16) and stearyl (C18) alcohols. It appears as a white, waxy solid or flakes with a mild fatty odor. This blend is widely used as an emollient, thickener, and co-emulsifier in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations. Ceto Stearyl Alcohol 1618TA offers excellent lubricity, thickening, and stabilizing properties, enhancing the texture, consistency, and moisturizing characteristics of creams, lotions, and hair care products. It serves as a skin conditioning agent and contributes to the structural integrity of emulsions.
Cetomacrogol PEG1000 (Ginonic CSA 20)
Cetomacrogol PEG (Ginonic CSA) is a polyethylene glycol-based nonionic surfactant and emulsifier with an average molecular weight of approximately 1000 Da. It appears as a white to off-white waxy solid or flakes with a neutral odor. This high-quality grade is widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and personal care formulations due to its excellent emulsifying, solubilizing, and moisturizing properties. Cetomacrogol PEG1000 (Ginonic CSA 20) facilitates stable oil-in-water emulsions, improves product texture and skin feel, and enhances the bioavailability of active ingredients. Its hydrophilic nature and compatibility with a wide range of ingredients make it a versatile additive in creams, lotions, ointments, and topical gels.
Emulsifier (Emulgator)
Emulsifier is a nonionic surfactant belonging to the family of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs), specifically with an average of 9 ethylene oxide (EO) units. It is widely used as an effective emulsifying, wetting, dispersing, and solubilizing agent. NP-9 is typically a pale yellow to amber viscous liquid, soluble in water and various organic solvents. It is valued for its strong emulsifying ability to stabilize oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, excellent detergency, and good compatibility with other surfactants and formulation ingredients. NP-9 is commonly employed in industrial, agricultural, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and cleaning applications.
Glycerol Monostearate Flakes
Glycerol Monostearate Flakes is a white to off-white waxy flake form emulsifier composed of 40% monoglycerides of fatty acids, primarily stearic and palmitic acids, combined with other glycerides and esters. Derived mainly from vegetable oils, this food-grade emulsifier is widely utilized in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors for its multifunctional properties. GMS 40% flakes serve as effective emulsifiers, stabilizers, anti-caking agents, and texture enhancers, with excellent compatibility and versatility in formulations requiring semi-solid or solid fats.
HPMC Vivapharm
HPMC Vivapharm is a high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade hydroxypropyl methylcellulose polymer widely used as an excipient and functional ingredient. It appears as a fine, white to off-white, odorless powder with excellent solubility in cold water and forms clear, viscous solutions. This cellulose ether derivative offers excellent film-forming, thickening, emulsifying, and controlled-release properties. Vivapharm E50 is prized in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries for its versatility, stability, and safety profile.
Hycryl
Hycryl is a specialized acrylic copolymer resin designed primarily for industrial and cosmetic applications. It appears as a white to off-white powder or granules with excellent film-forming, adhesive, and thickening properties. Known for its compatibility with a wide range of solvents and plasticizers, Hycryl 77 provides excellent clarity, flexibility, and durability in coatings, adhesives, and personal care formulations. Its balanced molecular weight and functional groups enable it to deliver strong binding and aesthetic properties in both aqueous and solvent-based systems.