How2Day: What Materials Are in Balloons?

Although rubber can be synthetically produced, natural latex is perferred in balloons because of its superior elasticity. balloons 1 image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
According to Made How, balloons are a French invention from the late 18th century. A balloon is an airtight casing produced from a light material that can be inflated with air or gas. Standard rubber toy balloons used as celebratory decorations can be purchased in high quantities and are made from latex and various other materials.

Natural latex has a great elasticity that can be stretched and pulled repeatedly and still return to its natural form. Similar in appearance to milk, natural latex is a white-yellow opaque liquid and is the secretion of plants, like the hevea tree, which is native to Brazil. Plantations in Malaysia and Africa are among the most abundant for natural rubber sources.

Additives are combined with the natural latex to prepare it for the industrial processes, along with other particular chemicals and substances, such as curing agents, accelerators, oil and water, that focus on the thickness of the balloon and the drying rate. Anti-degradants are additional chemicals combined to the latex mixture that help to slow down the oxidation and decomposition of the rubber.

Pigments are used in two forms -- metal oxide powders or organic dyes -- and are added to the latex mixture to give color to the balloons. The pigment process may be performed at the balloon factory, or pre-pigmented latex can be purchased from a supplier.

Prior to the latex mixture, the balloon mold must first be dipped into a coagulant solution, which allows the liquid latex to gel in a thin casing around the mold. The most common coagulant solution is a mixture of water, calcium-based salt, soap and talcum powder. The salt is the dominant coagulant, whereas the soap helps to evenly spread the latex around the mold.

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