Latex-+AVIE+&+KATHERINE

**__LATEX__**
====** TECHNICAL NAME :** styrene butadiene latices ====

**COMMON NAME:** Latex
 

**LATEX can be both natural & synthetic.**
When synthetic: It is recyclable and can be made into plastics by combining with recycled plastics . Recyclable= since latex is a natural substance it decomposes in the sun

Thermoplastic- “plastic like”; soft and pliable when heated Elastomer- “rubber like”

**PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:** - Water resistance- important property because water is known to penetrate porous materials and aid in their deterioration - Ambient humidity conditions - Stretchable - Liquid form

Cross-linkage does not occur in this polymer.

Natural latex with a high solids content is also used for making molds for casting plaster, cement, wax, low temperature metals, and limited run polyester articles.  Dipped goods (medical and surgical items, household and industrial gloves, boots, and balloons) utilize more than half of all natural latex consumed in the United States. The adhesives industry is the second largest user of natural latex in products such as shoes, envelopes, labels, and pressure sensitive tape
 * NATURAL ROLES AND USES:**

Natural latex with a high solids content is also used for making molds for casting plaster, cement, wax, low temperature metals, and limited run polyester articles. Most synthetic rubber is created from two materials, styrene and butadiene. Both are currently obtained from petroleum. Over a billion pounds (454,000,000 kg)of this type of rubber was manufactured in the United States in 1992. Other synthetic rubbers are made from specialty materials for chemical and temperature resistant applications. Tires account for 60-70% of all natural and synthetic rubber used. Other products containing rubber include footwear, industrial conveyor belts, car fan belts, hoses, flooring, and cables
 * PRACTICAL & INDUSTRIAL USES**:

"HighBeam Encyclopedia". HighBeam Research, INC. . may 15 2008 http://www.encyclopedia.com/beta/doc/1G2-2896700060.html
 * CITATIONS:**

"Method of treating synthetic polymer latex of styrenebutadiene or polyisoprene to make solid polymer derived therefrom redispersible to a latex ". FreePatents.Com. may 15 2008 http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3904567.html.

Bigham, Roy; Fisher, Seth, "Greener Government". BNP Media. may 15 2008 <http://science.bigchalk.com/sciweb/science/do/document?set=search&lastset=search&groupid=1&requestid=lib_standard&resultid=2&sortResultsBy=TopicRelevance&groupResultsBy=&inmylist=false&edition=&ts=A7095D6EB8AB572D88C10CB83A90DE66_1210684025907&urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BBCLib%3Bdocument%3B140668919&start=1