All foam latex systems are a combination of natural latex (concentrated sap of rubber trees), a soap to make the foam whip up to desired volume (foaming agent), a vulcanizer (curing agent), and a coagulant (gelling agent). Some of the ingredients are
extremely safe, such as the foaming agent, and others are toxic. Both the curing agent and the gelling agent are poisonous. Therefore, the entire system should be treated with respect, and basic safety precautions should be used. It is important to note the following: Up until last year, there was one major plantation in Indonesia that manufactured natural creamed latex. Their largest customer was an elastic-thread manufacturer. When the thread manufacturer went out of business, the rubber plantation chose to discontinue the 2 production of natural creamed latex. Several companies have begun making a replacement product. This new product is concentrated centrifuged latex. Normally, centrifuged latex has a solids content of 60 percent, which is too low for our type of foam making. But now the new product being produced makes this centrifuged latex about 67 to 68 percent, which is perfect for making foam. To my knowledge, all the major foam companies are using this evaporated centrifuged latex.
At GM Foam, we still believe in natural creamed latex. Through difficult dealings, we have contracted a plantation in another part of the world to start manufacturing the original type of creamed latex for us. We believe the physical properties of this type of latex to be superior to the evaporated centrifuged latex. Remember that the centrifuged rubber has been exposed to heat for hours. The latex in the huge drums turns to a thick glop. All of the ammonia preservative has long gone, and we believe that oxidation is occurring during this process. Of course, ammonia is added back into the latex before it is sold, but in the time the latex was a thick paste, it lost some
of its physical characteristics, due to oxidation of the evaporating process. Our new creamed latex is as good as anything we have seen in the past 20 years. When we see cell structure that is strong and resistant to breakdown, and a smooth, shiny surface on gelled foam, we know that our rubber is performing the way it did back in the 1980s, when we started. Creamed latex is back, and we have it!
1. Read the instructions before starting. Refer to the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for more information.
2. Have adequate ventilation to remove ammonia fumes.
3. Wear safety goggles and gloves when working with foam.
4. Do not let foam components come into contact with skin. If this happens, wash with soap and water as soon as possible. Clean up spills.
5. Wash your hands after working with foam. Never eat, drink, or smoke without washing first.
6. Anyone working with foam latex should keep a set of material safety data sheets nearby in case of emergency.
GM FOAM WARNING: Never use a household oven for curing foam. Fumes given off by curing foam are toxic for food use. Keep these and all chemicals out of reach of children and pets.