The Preparation of Plantation RubberMorgan, Sidney
Science
The Preparation of Plantation Rubber
Morgan, Sidney
Rubber
This is usually achieved by making a very thin crepe and rolling together
two lengths when wet. The resulting crepe may be slightly thicker than
ordinary, and the method employed may be usually detected by the appearance
of the edges unless these are trimmed.
GREENISH AND TACKY STREAKS.--Occasionally one meets cases in which pale
crepe exhibits streaks varying in colour from a decided green to an almost
black in which the greenish tinge is scarcely perceptible. Experience
indicates that these streaks are much more dangerous than they appear
superficially, inasmuch as they contain traces of brass from the "liners"
of the bearings. The presence of the copper in brass is responsible for a
gradual disintegration of the rubber, commonly recognised as "tackiness."
In fact, copper may be said to be a "poison" to rubber, and every effort
should be made to avoid possible sources of contamination. The effect may
be proved easily and perceptibly by fastening together several pieces of
crepe rubber by means of a brass "paper-fastener." In course of time a salt
of copper, green in colour, will be formed, and it will be found that the
portions of rubber in contact with the fastener have "perished" and become
tacky.
This contamination of crepe rubber may take place in two ways:
(1) By the ejection of actual particles of brass from the bearings of
machines, due to eccentric grinding of the "standards" of the rolls
upon the brass "bushes." These particles are carried by exuded oil or
grease into trays, and thence to the rubber.
(2) By the action of an acid lubricant upon the brass, with the
formation of a metallic soap which has a decided green colour, unless
obscured by the dark colour of the oil or grease. It is transferred to
the crepe rubber in the manner indicated above.
The inevitable effect, apart from the superficial defect, is incipient
tackiness. The extent to which this may develop will depend upon the amount
of the copper compound present, but it should be remembered that an
exceedingly small trace is capable of causing a disproportionately large
amount of damage. This effect is further magnified if the "tacky" piece of
rubber is packed in close contact with previously unaffected rubber.
When the defect is discovered, the affected portions should be cut out, and
the cuttings should be burned. To mix them with the lowest scrap grades, as
may be done thoughtlessly, is only inviting further trouble.
Besides the source of danger already indicated, it may be found, but far
less frequently, that contamination may arise from the presence in the
rubber of small pieces of the brass mesh which is generally used for
straining latex.
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