Latex refers to a suspension of small rubber particles in a liquid medium. Latex can be natural or synthetic.

Natural latex comes from the rubber tree which is native to Brazil and which is grown in plantations in South America, west Africa and south-east Asia. It can be a demanding material to work with. Under prolonged exposure, the material becomes brittle and discoloured.

Natural latex is renewable – as long as there are rubber trees on the planet. One tree is able to produce latex for up to 25 years.

It is highly elastic, resilient, durable, biodegradable.

The top advantages of natural rubber include: 

• High tensile strength 

• Resistant to tearing and abrasion 

• Resistant to compression 

• Dampens vibrations well 

• Strong adhesion abilities  

Liquid latex can be used for molds. It can create intricate and detailed molds. It is easy to remove latex molds without any damage to the original object.

When working with latex rubber, you will need a release agent to prevent it from sticking to the mold or other materials.

Synthetic latex is produced through a chemical process called emulsion polymerization, in which various monomers and chemicals are combined to create a polymer that mimics the properties of natural latex. Synthetic latex is durable, but less elastic than natural one, and has a firmer feel. 

Synthetic latex is not biodegradable and is made from non-renewable resources.