Development of natural rubber latex Portland cement mixes for engineering applications

Abstract

The deficiency in properties when portland cement is used in mixes with natural rubber latex is due to non-rubber substances and especially sugars found in latex serum. These non-rubber substances could be reduced by centrifugation and further by dilution with water and recentrifugation. A rubber/cement ratio of (1:11/2)cement sand mortar could be used up to 0.03perc. for field latex, up to 0.10perc. for centrifuged latex without drastically impairing physical properties; on the other hand some improved properties are obtained. The latices could be prevulcanised with vulcanising chemicals without serious reduction in strength when compared with the unvulcanised latices. The incorporation of natural rubber latex in 'Wirecon' boat building material has shown that appreciable improvement in impact strenth is obtained by the incorporation of the rubber latex.