What are the steps to produce latex gloves?

The raw material for latex is natural rubber, taken from the sap of the rubber tree, which is collected and brought to the factory for further production. The manufacture of latex gloves usually involves the following 9 steps.

1. Preparation of latex.

Latex gloves are derived from natural latex and are not 100% pure. The reason for this is that manufacturers add a variety of chemicals to natural latex at the very beginning of the production process. This step improves the elasticity of the latex product and makes the latex material more stable, so that the shelf life is extended.

2. Clean hand molds.

Manufacturers use ceramic molds to make gloves. The first thing to do is to clean the hand molds with water and bleach. This step ensures that there is no residue left on the hand mold from the previous production process. The hand mold is then dipped into a chemical solution containing calcium carbonate and nitrate to allow the latex to bond better.

3. Latex impregnation.

When the hand mold is ready, the manufacturer will dip it into a container filled with latex. The length of time the hand mold is dipped into the pool depends on the thickness required for glove production.

4. Vulcanized rubber.

The hand molds are dried and cured in an oven to ensure that the rubber does not break during the drying process. The vulcanization process of latex rubber is very critical.

5. Glove Extraction.

This process immerses the glove in a sink to remove excess latex protein to reduce the risk of allergies and improve the feel of the glove when worn.

6. Rolling the cuff.

When the glove extraction process is complete, the glove cuff is rolled up so that it can be easily removed. After the glove is rolled up the cuff may be re-extracted.

7. Spray.

If there is powder in the glove, it is put into a wet grain starch slurry. Then the manufacturer dries the gloves again.

8. Chlorinated or polymer coated gloves.

If no powder is present, an alternative process can be used to make it easier to wear. One is chlorinated to prevent latex adhesion. The second is coated with a polymer to make the surface smooth. Both methods reduce the chances of protein allergy.

9. Unloading gloves.

Once the gloves are made, workers remove the gloves from the hand molds.

At what stage of latex glove production is the wax emulsion used?

Wax emulsions play a key role in the latex glove production process, mainly in the latex mixing stage and the polymer impregnation stage (or post-treatment stage). In the latex mixing stage, the wax emulsion is added to the latex formula as an additive, and the latex containing the wax is impregnated, vulcanized, and dried to form the final glove. The addition of paraffin or microcrystalline waxes during this stage improves release, resistance to adhesion, resistance to re-sticking and reduces migration.

Also in the polymer impregnation phase, the wax emulsion plays an important role. In this stage, the polymer coating containing the wax is applied to the glove surface and the glove is vulcanized and dried to obtain the finished product. Polyethylene wax, carnauba wax and paraffin wax provide smoothness, abrasion resistance and ease of wear to the polymer coating formulation.