In reality, latex is an emulsion, usually made of artificial rubber, which is suitable for impregnating fabrics and paper or for painting walls. It is defined as "a colloidal emulsion or suspension of synthetic or natural rubber particles in the aqueous phase". The emulsion is a milky liquid that is usually extracted from tropical plants through a diagonal cut in the bark of trees. This milk juice (latex) is formed in about 12,000 species of plants. Latex is the last barrier in these plants. Latex produced by Brazilian hevea is of the greatest importance to the different industries including the painting industry.
The synthetic (artificial) latex is made of synthetic rubber, by emulsion polymerization or by modification of other suitable polymers. The main differences from natural latex are the following:
to a lesser extent may cause allergies (hypoallergenic);
lower production costs;
more absorbs water and has no odor (only in the first few days).
Nowadays, more than 5,000 products are produced from latex, the main feature of which is the elasticity - latex clothes, condoms, gloves, rubber bands, as well as some of the best pillows and mattresses.