ASTM D1076 Standard Specification for Rubber-Concentrated, Ammonia Stabilized, Creamed, and Centrifuged Natural Latex

Category 1 refers to centrifuged Hevea natural latex stabilized only with ammonia. Category 2 covers creamed Hevea natural latex stabilized only with ammonia. Category 3 is centrifuged Hevea natural latex stabilized with low ammonia. Category 4 covers centrifuged or centrifuged-and-creamed guayule latex, or other natural rubber latex, containing less than 200 μg of total protein per gram of dry weight of latex, when treated with ammonia or another hydroxide. Category 5 covers centrifuged Hevea natural latex treated with aluminum hydroxide or by other means, and stabilized with ammonia only, containing less than 0.5% non-rubber content. The specification also identifies analytical procedures for the specified properties. These procedures cover sampling, total solids, dry rubber content, protein content, total alkalinity, viscosity, sludge content, coagulum content, KOH number, pH, mechanical stability, copper and manganese, density, volatile fatty acids, boric acid, and dry films.

Get Certified ASTM D1076 Testing for Natural Latex Quality

Natural latex manufacturers require uniformity in material properties to manufacture and control the product. ASTM D1076 (Standard Specification for Rubber—Concentrated, Ammonia Stabilized, Creamed, and Centrifuged Natural Latex) establishes requirements and analytical procedures for laboratories to assess concentrated natural latex. The standard identifies specified analytical procedures that laboratories may use for production control or referee purposes. Testing helps manufacturers monitor important latex characteristics and compare results with the applicable requirements.

• Covers creamed Hevea natural latex stabilized with ammonia only. 
• Covers centrifuged Hevea natural latex stabilized with low ammonia.
• Covers centrifuged or centrifuged-and-creamed guayule latex or other natural rubber latex containing less than 200 μg of total protein per gram of dry weight of latex with ammonia or other hydroxide.
• Covers centrifuged Hevea natural latex treated with aluminum hydroxide or by other means stabilized with ammonia only, containing less than 0.5 % non-rubber content.
• Applies to natural latex sources other than Hevea brasiliensis but does not apply to compounded latex concentrates.

What are the Uses of ASTM D1076 Testing? 

ASTM D1076 provides requirements and analytical procedures for assessing concentrated natural rubber latex and controlling key material properties. The standard identifies analytical procedures that laboratories can use for production control or referee purposes. 

• Evaluates concentrated natural rubber latex. 
• Supports production quality control. 
• Helps manufacturers compare latex batches. 
• Evaluates chemical and physical properties. 
• Supports raw-material quality evaluation. 
• Helps identify variations in latex properties. 
• Provides standardized analytical procedures.

What Materials Can Be Tested Under ASTM D1076? 

ASTM D1076 applies to first-grade concentrated natural rubber latex that meets one of the five categories defined in the specification. These are Hevea natural latex, specified guayule latex, and other natural rubber latex included in the requirements.

Why is ASTM D1076 Important? 

ASTM D1076 provides uniform specifications for concentrated natural rubber latex. Laboratories can use their analytical procedures to evaluate multiple chemical and physical properties. Manufacturers can compare their test results with the applicable requirements and monitor production quality.

ASTM D1076 Testing Process and Data Collection

Technicians first take representative specimens of concentrated natural latex, then select appropriate analytical methods based on the properties being evaluated. Technicians measure the required characteristics and record the results. Technicians then compare the measured values with the applicable requirements for the relevant latex category.  

ASTM D1076 Common Challenges and Troubleshooting

Natural latex may contain variations in solids, rubber content, viscosity, pH, coagulum, sludge, and mechanical stability. Technicians can reduce sampling errors by collecting representative samples and following the applicable analytical procedure. Laboratories can also maintain their equipment and investigate unusual results before making quality-control decisions.