Rubber trees or the scientific name Hevea brasiliensis were brought to Malaysia in 1877 and has continued to be developed as an important commodity in our country until the present day.
Among Malaysia’s major exports are rubber gloves, condoms and catheters.
Latex is a white fluid obtained from rubber trees when the tree bark is tapped.
Natural rubber that is found in latex is a natural polymer known as polyisoprene.
Latex is a colloid and not a solution.
Rubber particles do not dissolve in water but disperse separately in water.
The protein membrane of rubber particles is negatively charged on the outer surface.
This causes rubber particles to repel each other, preventing coagulation.