formic acid for the rubber industry - welcome to basf intermediates - basf … · 2012-06-22 ·...

Formic Acid for the Rubber Industry

The data contained in this publication is based on our current knowledge and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect processing and application of our product, the data does not relieve processors from carrying out their own investigations and tests; neither does the data imply any guarantee of certain properties, nor the suitability of the product for a specific purpose. Any descriptions, drawings, photographs, data, proportions, weights etc. given herein may change without prior information and do not constitute the agreed contractual quality of the product. It is the responsibility of the recipient of our products to ensure that any proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are observed. The safety data given in this publication is for information purposes only and does not constitute a legally binding Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The relevant MSDS can be obtained upon request from your supplier or you may contact BASF directly at [email protected] . 2012 edition

Regional Headquarters

Hong KongBASF East Asia Regional Headquarters Limited45th Floor, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place,Central, Hong Kong, ChinaPhone: +852 2731 0131E-mail: [email protected]

ASEAN

Indonesia PT BASF IndonesiaPlaza GRI, 11th Floor, JI HR Rasuna Said Kav X2 No 1, Jakarta 12950, IndonesiaPhone: +62 21 526 2528E-mail: [email protected]

MalaysiaBASF (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.2, Jalan U8/87, Seksyen U8, Bukit Jelutong, 40706 Shah Alam, MalaysiaPhone: +603 5628 3888, ext. 3769E-mail: [email protected]

PhilippinesBASF Philippines, Inc.11/F, HHIC Building, 1128 University Parkway, North Bonifacio, Global City, Taguig,Metro Manila 1634, PhilippinesPhone: +63 2 811 8000E-mail: [email protected]

ThailandBASF (Thai) Ltd.23rd floor, Emporium Tower,622 Sukhumvit 24 Road, Klongton, Klongtoey, 10110 Bangkok, ThailandPhone: + 66 2 624 1999, ext. 9457E-mail: [email protected]

VietnamBASF Vietnam Co., Ltd.Saigon Trade Center, Room 1701,37 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1,Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamPhone: +84 8 3824 3833, ext. 341E-mail: [email protected]

SOUTH ASIA

BangladeshBASF Bangladesh LimitedHR Bhaban, 4th Floor, 26/1 Kakrail Road, Dhaka-1000, BangladeshPhone: + 880 2 934 8374, ext. 6E-mail: [email protected]

IndiaBASF India LimitedVibgyor Towers, Unit No.101, 1st Floor, G-Block, C-62, Bandra Kurla Complex,Bandra East 400051, Mumbai, IndiaPhone: +91 22 6661 8000E-mail: [email protected]

Sri Lanka BASF Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.No.186, Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2,Sri LankaPhone: +94 11 242 3388, ext. 9E-mail: [email protected]

NORTH ASIA

ChinaBASF (China) Co. Ltd.18/F, Xin An Building, 99 Tian Zhou Road,Caohejing Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai 200233P.R. ChinaPhone: +86 21 2403 2645E-mail: [email protected]

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BASF – The Chemical Company

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and agricultural products to oil and gas. BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility.

Top Intermediates supplier

The Intermediates division of the BASF Group develops, produces and markets the world’s largest range of intermediates. Of the division’s more than 600 products, the most important include amines, diols, polyalcohols, acids and specialties. Among other applications, intermediates are used as starting materials for coatings, plastics,

pharmaceuticals, textile fibers, detergents and crop protectants. Innovative BASF intermediates help to improve both the properties of the final product and the efficiency of production processes. The Intermediates division is ISO 9001:2000 certified and operates plants in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

BASF has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing Formic Acid. Its production facilities are based in Luwigshafen, Germany and Nanjing, China. The Company is also building another Formic Acid plant in Geismar, U.S.A. which will start up in 2014.

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High quality rubber sheets can be coagulated by using Formic Acid

Formic Acid is the preferred choice for coagulating latex: it is cost-efficient, and guarantees a consistent high-quality natural rubber product – making it one of the best coagulants for natural rubber latex coagulation in dry rubber production.

Research has shown that natural rubber latex coagulation by using Formic Acid at an appropriate concentration and with recommended methods can produce high quality dry rubbers with good color, as required by dealers and manufacturers.

Properties of Formic Acid

BASF Formic Acid is commercially available at 85% and 94% concentration. Formic Acid’s properties include: colorless, excellent water solubility, and pungent smell.

Advantages of using Formic Acid in rubber sheet production

– Cost efficient– Superior performance– Environmentally compatible

Formic Acid is cost-efficient, and natural rubber latex can coagulate homogeneously;

Formic Acid’s acidity is ideal for transforming latex into homogeneous dry rubber:

– Weaker acids are less efficient, and result in much higher acid consumption;

– Stronger acids make the pH drop too rapidly and non-homogeneously, resulting in uneven latex coagulation;

No residue in rubber sheets;

No effect on rubber elasticity;

No effect on rubber performance in any rubber applications;

Good color rubber sheets;

Formic Acid is not too acidic or corrosive, making it safe to use; and

Formic Acid is environmentally compatible. It is readily biodegradable and does not result in phosphate or nitrate loading of wastewater. It has low chemical oxygen demand (COD).

Natural Rubber Latex coagulation using BASF Formic Acid

Formic acid 85%MATERIAL:

Hazardous Ingredients:FORMIC ACID

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Natural rubber sheets formed by homogeneous and efficient latex coagulation using BASF Formic Acid.

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Characteristics of rubber sheets formed using Formic Acid

Clean, no acid spots, not sticky. No impurities, black spots, dirt, or air bubbles can be seen, even when a sheet is viewed against the light;

The rubber sheets are dry, pale, and evenly colored, with no blemishes;

The rubber sheets have regular and distinct rib- like patterns. When force is applied, they are soft, flexible, resilient and tough; and

The sheets’ average thickness is 2.8 – 3.2 mm; each sheet is rectangular, with a width of 40 – 45 cm and length of 80 – 85 cm.

Procedures for making high quality rubber sheets

There is a simple over-arching principle for producing high quality rubber sheets: “keep the rubber clean”.

This can be achieved by keeping the natural rubber latex clean; and using clean equipment, clean water, and standard quality acid.

The process for making high quality rubber sheets is as follows:

Step 1 Collect fresh natural rubber latex

Collection cups, latex containers or buckets should be cleaned prior to use;

Do not collect rubber wastes, such as cup lumps or bark scraps, together with the latex in the latex containers, as these may cause latex coagulation and difficulty with latex straining;

Place a lid on the container, to prevent latex spillage.

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Step 2 Clean tools and equipment

Tools and equipment used for making rubber sheets should be washed both before and after use.

Step 4 Measure the latex into pans

Three liters of sieved latex is measured into each pan or coagulation trough.

Step 6 Select acid coagulant and acid dilution

To homogeneously coagulate latex in order to produce high quality rubber sheets, use of standard BASF Formic Acid 94% is recommended. To coagulate latex within 30 – 45 minutes, an appropriate concentration of Formic Acid can be prepared as follows:

15 ml of Formic Acid 94% is mixed with 1200 ml (approximately three cans) of water. Note that the acid is poured into the water. The concentrated acid must be stored in ceramic or plastic containers.

Step 5 Mix water and latex

Three liters of clean water is poured into the pan, and mix with the latex.

Step 7 Mix the diluted acid with latex

Use a paddle to stir the latex once or twice. 400 ml (approximately one can) of diluted acid (from Step 6) is poured into and mixed in the pan. Use the paddle to stir the acid and latex about six times, to create a homogenous mixture.

Step 3 Latex straining

To remove dirt, impurities and coagulum, double 40 mesh (top) and 60 mesh (bottom) sieves can be used to strain the field latex.



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Step 8 Remove froth

During latex mixing, latex froth can be created. The paddle can be used to remove this from the pan. The froth can be collected and sold as good quality rubber scrap. If the froth is not eliminated, air bubbles will be present in the rubber sheets, lowering the rubber quality.

Step 10 Create initial rubber sheets

Once the rubber has coagulated, it should be

rolled to form sheets. Put a little clean water into the pan, to keep the coagulum wet and easy to remove. Initial sheets can be formed on a table with a clean stainless-steel covering, by using hands or hand operated rollers in order to form sheets that are approximately 1 cm thick.

Step 11 Use smooth rollers to create thinner sheets

Smooth rollers are then used three or four times on each rubber sheet, to reduce its thickness to 3 – 4 mm.

Step 9 Place a lid on the pan

Coagulation pans should be covered with lids, to protect the rubber from dirt or impurities.

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Step 12 Imprint sheets using grooved rollers

After the rubber sheets are passed through successive pairs of rollers (in a “sheeting battery”), to produce sheets of uniform thickness, appropriately grooved rollers are used to imprint “ribs” on each sheet, thus increasing the surface area to facilitate drying.

Step 14 Drip-dry the rubber sheets

Wet rubber sheets should be hung from lines, so

water can drip from them. Note that they should not be hung in direct sunlight, as this may cause rubber degradation and color changes.

Step 15 Store the rubber sheets and ready for sale

Once the rubber sheets have almost dripped dry, they are typically hung from reapers and dried using natural ventilation. Good ventilation is essential to prevent growth of fungi.

Step 13 Clean the rubber sheets

The ribbed rubber sheets are then immersed

in clean water, to eliminate surface impurities and dirt.

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formic acid for the rubber industry - welcome to basf intermediates - basf … · 2012-06-22 ·...

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