How do I dissolve raw latex in white mineral oil?

I want to dissolve some raw rubber/latex in white mineral oil. So far the latex seems sparingly soluble. Any advice? Heat? Prolonged stirring?





Thanks.How do I dissolve raw latex in white mineral oil?
Raw latex is a emulsion of polymer in water. When mixed with the mineral oil, the water is insoluble; no amount of mixing or heating will dissolve the two. Moreover, the polymer that is emulsified is physically separated from the mineral oil because it is in a separate phase (aqueous).





What needs to be done is to get the polymer from the latex out of the water. Once the water is removed, the polymer can be dissolved in the mineral oil, as long as the polymer has not been ';prevulcanized';; in which case it will not dissolve. A number of steps can be taken to coagulate the latex; the addition of acetic acid (vinegar) crashes natural latex, as do nitrate salts. Simply evaporating the water away will separate out the polymer as well.