what is the difference in this latex

[toxicvenom]

A few years ago I purchased some straight liquid latex and some slush casting latex
from a supplier here in the UK. I didnt know what the difference would be just the slush
was more expensive, anyway the slush was creamier and when dry was an off white and
normal latex dries to a light brown slightly translucent,
I cast a few face masks and painted them ,this was about 5 years ago, while clearing the attic
I came across the pulls and the mould and to my surprise the slush pulls had not shrunk hardly
from the original mould but the regular liquid latex pulls were substantially smaller.
my question is whats in this slush latex from regular latex and can the recipe be home made
as the price now is approx 100 pounds for 5 gallons(approx 25 litres) of regular latex and the slush they are selling
is 125 pounds for 1 gallon(approx 5 litres)
any one know of any uk suppliers of this type of latex that may be cheaper or the additives to make it up in house.

 

[Mr Mold Maker]

Slush casting latex, or Mask latex, is more expensive because it has more fillers in it. That is it. They can be anywhere from 55-60% filler, usually a clay material, vulcanizers, etc.

Natural liquid latex has a much higher liquid content, and as that liquid evaporates out during its cure, the latex shrinks. The fillers in mask making or slush latex cause the mask to shrink less.

Can it be made at home?
Not really. Not effectively anyway.

The latex you purchase is already pre-vulcanized and in a state of partial cure. The latex companies add the fillers in before heating the latex for hours.. This allows everything to homogenize and gives you the end product. Adding fillers after the pre-vulcanization process will make the latex thicker, yes, but do almost nothing to effect the shrinkage of the latex.

 

[toxicvenom]

so are you saying slush latex and natural latex start off the same and both are heated but slush has fillers added first?
therefore adding fillers to the available natural latex wont have the same effect.?
just wondered as I work in the plaster,plasterboard production industry and have access to numerous fillers and powders
that we add to produce different products, Im not involved in the batching process and dont get to see what all these powders
do and dont want to ask to much as to highlight the fact that I want to borrow cough!! cough?? what I need, we have dozens of
stuff in the store warehouse tons of it ranging from mica to talc and limestones ,pva ,retarders, foaming agents and name branded powder that does god knows what.
have googles some of them but you dont get a precise usage .