Discussion

The objective of this experiment is to perform the TSC and DRC test
for latex and to analyse the TSC and DRC results. Total Solid Content (TSC)
is the percentage weight of latex, which is non-volatile at given
temperature in an open atmosphere and therefore a mesure of the total
rubber and non-rubber solids in the latex. For the Dry Rubber Content
(DRC) is the percentage weight of latex, which is coagulable by acetic acid
under closely defined 61.476conditions. The difference between both
represents the soluble non-rubber solids content.
The TSC test was carried out by drying the latex about 2g in an oven
at temperature of 100C for 2 hours. For DRC test, latex is diluted with
distilled water to reduce TSC to 20%. Then acetic acid been added and the
mixture was heated at steam bath for 15-30 minutes. After that,
coagulated rubber is collected and washes until water to be acidic to
litmus. Then, coagulated rubber is pressed into sheet and dried in the
oven for 16 hours at 70C. The experiment for both was conducted in
duplicate.
Based on the result that obtained, the percentage of TSC for sample
A and B is 61.7069% and 56.1299% respectively. The difference between
both of the sample is 5.577 units. The result of duplicate determinations
shall not differ by more than 0.2 unit. The differences is bigger because of
the TSC percentage of sample B is lower than the minimum required
based on the ISO 2004 specification (Appendix 1) which is should be
61.5% meanwhile sample A is still in the range of the specification. The
reason for this might be that the amount of the volatile component
present still higher than it should.
For the percentage of DRC test, sample A and B is 61.476% and
59.704% respectively with the difference of 1.772 units. From the results it
can be observed that percentage of DRC for sample A slightly higher than
the minimum requirement specification of ISO 2004 meanwhile at sample
B is slightly lower than specification of ISO 2004 but both of the result is
still in range and acceptable. The reason for this situation might be the
present of foreign solid content in the latex. If the value is slightly lower so
that the latex might be has slightly high number of foreign solid content.
Other than that reason that have been state above, some errors can
be influence to the result of the both test such as the condition of the
latex itself. Besides that, a tester not perform an accurate procedure such
as the tester not repeating heating and cooling step to get constant
weight. This situation might be one of the factor that influence the result.
The tester also should fully cover the bottom of the petri dish by the latex
so that the effectiveness of the test and accuracy of the result can be
obtained.