EFFECT OF FURFURAL ON THE PROPERTIES OF NATURAL LATEX: POSSIBILITY FOR ADHESIVE APPLICATION

Abstract

ABSTRACT Normally, the properties of natural latex are not stable, for example, viscosity and volatile fatty acids, due to the nonrubber components that affect the quality of the latex. The objective here was to develop and compare the adhesive properties of natural latex by using furfural at different ratios. Concentrated natural latex (60% rubber) with a high ammonia rate was used, and two types of furfural were used: synthetic furfural and natural furfural from sugarcane bagasse. The phenolic resin was also compared as a tackifier resin. We found that increasing the furfural concentration in natural latex increased the viscosity of the latex. However, for a given concentration, furfural and phenolic resin gave similar adhesion properties in natural latex. Furfural at 10 parts per hundred of rubber gave the best adhesive property of natural latex. Beyond this furfural concentration, the natural latex became solid. There were no significance differences in adhesion properties between synthetic and natural furfurals in the natural latex. The relationship between viscosity and adhesive properties of the natural latex with furfural is proposed. This research shows the potential to develop an eco-friendly natural adhesive with furfural that has good quality and no dangerous solvent.