About Rubber, Latex and PVC
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Latex is a natural polymer and refers to a stable emulsion of microparticles in an aqueous medium. Latex can be natural or synthetic. Latex as found naturally as a milky sap from many plants that coagulates on exposure to air. It is a complex emulsion in which proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins and gums are found. In most plants, latex is white, but some have yellow, orange, or scarlet latex.
The word is also used to refer to natural latex rubber, in particularly non-vulcanised rubber. Such is the case in products like latex gloves and latex clothing. It can also be made synthetically by polymerising a monomer that has been emulsified with surfactants.
Many plant functions have been attributed to latex. Some regard it as a form of stored food, while others consider it an excretory product in which waste products of the plant are deposited. Still others believe it functions to protect the plant in case of injuries; drying to form a protective layer that prevents the entry of fungi and bacteria.
Natural rubber is the most important product obtained from latex; more than 12,000 plant species yield latex containing rubber, though in the vast majority of those species the rubber is not suitable for commercial use. Latex is also used as a binding agent in latex paint.
Latex is different from rubber in that it is less refined and often thinner. Worn on the body it tends to be skin-tight, producing a “second skin” effect. It has a shinier finish than rubber, and allows greater flexibility of movement.
Latex can be used to make many types of clothing, such as leotards, bodysuits, stockings and gloves, as well as most items that can be made from ‘traditional’ fabrics. Latex is naturally translucent, but can be dyed to pretty much any colour, the most popular being black. Materials used in latex garments range from around 0.2mm to 0.5mm and instead of being sewn, latex is glued together at the seams. Because it is so thin, it is easily damaged and care needs to be taken to avoid tearing.
Latex clothing has a very high friction coefficient against skin making the garments difficult to. Several techniques can be used to aid in this matter including talc, oil and silicone gel. The surface can also be treated with chlorine to form a neoprene layer.
Latex (and other skintight materials) are thought to be “stealthy” and many popular television shows and movies often portray assassins, spies and son on wearing tight fitting latex outfits, such as Selene the vampire assassin from Underworld (played by the actress Kate Beckinsale) or Catwoman from Batman Returns played by Michelle Pfeiffer.
Some people have a serious latex allergy, and exposure to latex or rubber products such as rubber gloves can cause anaphylactic shock. Guayule latex is hypoallergenic and is being researched as a substitute to the allergy-inducing Hevea latexes.
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Courtesy of Land of Models 