The gelling effect of zinc oxide on ammoniated latex is known to be due to the formation of zinc soaps. The object of the present work was to investigate the formation of zinc soaps under varying conditions in order to elucidate the gelling mechanism more clearly. The main variables affecting the zinc ammine ion formation in an ammonia solution containing given amounts of ammonium salts and soluble zinc are pH and temperature. Falling pH or rising temperature favor formation of the more chemically reactive lower zinc ammine ions, and give rise to the formation of zinc soaps if soaps are present. It is suggested that zinc soap formation in the serum of ammoniated latex and the consequent gelling of the latex depend on the presence of specific zinc ammine ions.

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