Relationships between physiological parameters of latex and technological properties of processed natural rubber

Abstract

Natural rubber must be technically specified for various uses. Variability in technological properties of raw nat-ural rubber leads to problems of grading. A study was conducted to establish relationships between physio-logical parameters of latex and technological properties of the raw rubber. The latex samples were analysed by micro-latex diagnosis technique and the relevant technological properties of the processed rubber estimated usi-ng International Standard organization (ISO) procedures. Correlations were found between physiological para-meters and technological properties of processed crumbs; specifically, between the plasticity retention index, Mooney viscosity, Initial Wallace plasticity and inorganic phosphorus, total solid content and sucrose content. The relationships varied with the clones. The best empirical equations fit describing the relationship between physiological parameters of latex and technological properties of the raw rubber were polynomials, while the master equation was a power function with coefficient of determination of 0.84. The values of technological properties of raw rubber could be predicted from the values of some physiological parameters of the latex, and such empirical relationships would assist farmers to forecast values of the technological properties, and modify the properties as required prior to processing.