Thursday, October 18, 2007

Latex Tubing


Natural Latex tubing has been used extensively in the health care industry. Known for its extreme flexibility, the applications has been expand to the other applications such as Drain tubing, Model glider launching, Exercise devices, Elastic band, Slingshots, Tourniquet bands, Non-aerol can lines etc.

Manufacturing Process (using Heat-sensitised latex compound)

  • Compounding of latex Latex is first de-ammoniated using formaldehyde to provide a base compound ready for heat.
  • Addition of heat-sensitising agent To prepare heat-sensitised compound, heat-sensitise agent is added to base compound. Blend thoroughly, then allow to stand for removal of bubbles. The heat-sensitised compound is stored in a storage tank (storage temperature should be kept at 20°C or slightly lower).
  • Extrusion
    Compound from tank T1 is allowed to flow through the glass extrusion tube (B) over a fixed glass core (C). The extrusion tube is surrounded by a water jacket (D) through which water at 50°C - 60°C is circulated to gel the tubing. An adjustable support (E) is fitted so that the height and consequently the gravity head of compound, can be adjusted slightly to maintain even flow. The tube emerges from the outlet (F) is in a firm gelled state.
  • Washing
    The gelled tubing is led directly into a perforated tray immersed in a tank of cold running water. The tubing may be cut off from the extrusion outlet and the tray is removed to another washing tank. Production may continue collecting more tubing in another tray. Time required for washing depends upon the thickness of the tubing, but is typically about 4 hours.

  • Chlorinating process
    Chlorinating helps to reduce surface tack and preserve the general appearance of the tubing. The tubing should be immersed in the chlorinating solution for about 8 minutes. Provision should also be made for the chlorinating solution to circulate through the tubing when long lengths of tubing being processed. After chlorination, the tubing should be thoroughly rinsed in clean water.

  • Drying
    After chlorinating process and rinsed, the tubing should be dried in an oven or heated room at approximately 50-60°C. The time required will depend upon the wall thickness and bore of the tube, quantity of tubing being dried, oven efficiency etc.

1 comment:

Chandrasehkhar said...

can you please share the details of glass tube extrusion apparatus for Latex Tubing