Mechanical

Stability Time
(MST)
Experiment No: 07 (Part 2)

PSC 307.1.0 Polymer

Practical level 1A
G.A.N.K.Gunawardhana
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Date: 18/07/2023

Experiment No: 07 (Part 2)

Experiment Name: Mechanical Stability Time (MST)

Objectives:
• To understand how to determine the Mechanical stability (MST) of given NR latex.

Pre Lab Questions:

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Introduction:

It is essential to ensure the quality of latex for the designed application is high enough so
that the latex can be handled during the processing, compounding, pumping, transfer, heating,
agitation, etc. Latex is a colloidal dispersion of polymer particles in water, and its stability is
essential for various applications, including coatings, adhesives, and paints.

One of the most common routine methods is to measure latex's mechanical stability time
(MST). Mechanical stability is measured as the time in seconds required producing obvious signs
of clotting when the latex is stirred at high speed. It basically gives a measure of the resistance
of latex to destabilization by mechanical agitation or shear force. Mechanical stability is
measured by applying energy to the system by agitating latex rapidly or by a disc of controlled
dimensions rotating at a high speed of 14,000 rpm. Recommended values for MST of good latex
should be around 450 – 800 sec at a spindle speed of 14,000 rpm.

Latex is more stable and hence can be stated as high quality when it takes a longer time
for particles of coagulum to appear in the sample. By adding higher fatty acid soaps like
ammonium laurate, sodium laurate, NaOH, and KOH, the MST value can be increased. Because
of the increase of HFA soap in NR latex, the negative electrical surface charge density of the
particles causes an increase in the mechanical stability of the latex. If the MST value is low, the
latex is poorly persevered. Non-volatile and volatile fatty acids and CO32-, HCO3- ions are caused
to destabilize the latex and then the MST value decreases.

The mechanical stability of latex can be affected by factors such as particle size
distribution, latex concentration (TSC), surfactants, pH, temperature, and mixing conditions.
Heating, freezing, removal of water by evaporation, and mechanical agitation are some of the
physical ways that latex destabilization can happen. The addition of acids, multivalent ions such
as calcium, magnesium, iron, and aluminum, and water-miscible organic solvents are the
chemical ways of destabilizing NR latex.

The MST value can be determined by using a latex mechanical stability testing machine.
The figure of that machine is shown below. The Latex Rubber Test Machine has a highly reliable
series-wound motor that rotates at 14000 RPM. which is electronically controlled. It comes
complete with visual confirmation in the form of colored DISPLAY and is supported by a matt
black(chrome-plated) METAL bracket on a chrome-plated column. The glass (synthetic)
or Perspex (natural) beaker is retained on its table. Height is adjustable. The apparatus should
be mounted on a hard sponge rubber sheet set. Motor bearings are sealed for life. The unit is
fully protected for use in tropical climates.

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 Figure 01: The latex mechanical stability testing machine

The parts of the machine are,

1. End cap
2. Bearing caps
3. Operating Switches
4. 60w SB fitting lamp
5. Adjustable stop (for beaker table)
6. Latex beaker (glass - synthetic, Perspex - natural)
7. Moulded handwheel Knob for table height adjuster
8. Stainless steel paddle to ISO dimensions
9. Chrome plated column
10. Lamp and motor switches (as indicated)

The latex rubber stability test machine tests the mechanical stability of concentrated
natural and synthetic latex rubber when subjected to high-speed stirring or mechanical shear.
When stirring or mechanical shear, the homogeneity of latex decreases and causes the rubber
particles suspended in the latex to collide with each other. These collisions can result in particle
aggregation. The mechanical stability value for latex is expressed as the number of seconds
elapsed from the start of the test to the endpoint. The endpoint is determined by the first
appearance of small pieces of coagulated rubber. This endpoint is confirmed by the presence of
an increased amount of coagulated rubber after 15 seconds of additional rotation. The endpoint
in this case is the presence of approximately 1% of coagulum based on total solids.

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Materials:
• Latex sample
• Ammonia solution

Apparatus:
• Glass rod
• Wire cloth
• Beakers
• Analytical balance
• Latex mechanical stability testing machine
• Thermometer

Procedure:

The latex concentrate was diluted by adding 100 g of latex and achieving a TSC (Total
Solids Content) of 55.0% (ml) ± 0.2% (m/m) with an appropriate ammonia solution. Without
delay, the diluted latex was warmed to 36 °C to 37 °C using a water bath while gently stirring.
The diluted and warmed latex was immediately filtered through the wire cloth. A weight of 80.0
g ± 0.5 g of the filtered latex was measured and placed into the latex container. The temperature
of the latex was checked to be 35 °C ± 1°C. The container was positioned, and the latex was
stirred at a rotational frequency of 14000 rev/min ± 200 rev/min throughout the test until the
endpoint was reached. The endpoint was determined by removing a drop of the latex with a
clean glass rod at intervals of 15 seconds. The endpoint was taken as the first appearance of
flocculum. The presence of an increased amount of flocculum in a sample taken after stirring
the latex for an additional 15 s confirmed the end point.

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Results:

Calculations:

Density of latex = 1000 kg/m3

= 1 g/cm3

C1V1 = C2V2
100g × 60 = 55 × V2
V2 = 109.09g

Volume of ammonia needed to dilute latex = Mass of latex needed – Mass of latex given
= 109.09g – 100g
= 9.09g

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Discussion:

Natural rubber latex is a colloidal suspension. Therefore, the stability of colloidal is

essential to the quality of the latex. As mentioned in the introduction, the colloidal stability is
decreasing with various factors such as temperature, pH, mechanical shear force, or mechanical
agitation. In this experiment, the decrease in colloidal stability was checked due to the
mechanical agitation by using a latex stability test machine.

When preparing the latex solution for the MST test, the given latex concentrate was
diluted by adding 100 g of latex and achieving a TSC (Total Solids Content) of 55.0% (ml) ± 0.2%
(m/m) with an appropriate ammonia solution. The amount of ammonia solution that should be
added, was calculated by using the C1V1=C2V2 equation. This was done because the mechanical
Stability Time (MST) test method involves dilution of a sample of latex to 55% TRC and allowing
the latex to reach an equilibrium at 35℃. Here ammonia solution was used to dilute the latex
concentrate instead of water. Latex is destabilized in acidic conditions. But diluted ammonia has
a basic nature and therefore it can maintain colloidal stability. By adding water, the pH value of
latex shifts towards the acidic range from the basic pH range. Therefore, ammonia was added
to prevent pH change and destabilization. And also, NH4OH has a buffering effect. When water
is added, the viscosity is reduced drastically, but the effect of NH4OH is less to viscosity change.

By the latex stability testing machine, stirring is applied to the latex rubber at a constant
of 14,000 rpm until the endpoint, or latex instability is reached. The approach to the endpoint
is usually indicated by a drop in the meniscus of the latex, loss of turbulence, and a change in
the sound of stirring action. The endpoint differs from person to person. Therefore, it can cause
errors. Also, the density of latex was assumed to be the density of pure water.

In the experiment, the MST value obtained was 165 seconds which deviated from the
expected value of 450 – 800 sec at a spindle speed of 14,000 rpm. This deviation can be because
of the above reasons.

Other than that, the measured latex was filtered by using a wire cloth to ensure there
were no solid chunks present in the latex sample at the beginning. Temperature maintenance is
also very important. Because when increasing temperature NH3 can evaporate and it will affect
the results.

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Conclusion:

MST = 165 seconds

Latex stability testing machines can be used to determine MST value rapidly and simply as a
method of determining the quality of latex.

References:

1) https://www.scribd.com/document/60189078/MST-1

2) Dawson, H. G. Mechanical Stability Test for Hevea Latex. Rubber Chemistry and
Technology 1950, 23 (4), 981–994. https://doi.org/10.5254/1.3547102.

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