01232nam a2200169Ia 4500008004100000100001200041245008200053260004500135300001200180520077100192650001900963650001500982650001900997700001401016700001301030700001901043220216s9999    xx            000 0 und d  aAuria R 0aDrying of natural rubber in sheet form -Internal structure and water transfer  bJournal of Natural Rubber Researchc1991  a267-279  aThe internal structure of hydrated natural rubber was revealed by observation under the electron scanning microscope, using the cryofracturing technique. It showed that natural rubber in its hydrated state is made up  of an agglomeration of rubber globules which retain their original shape and size and it is a diphasic medium during drying. The internal water transfer in a sheet of natural rubber during the falling rate drying period was studied. Experimental analysis of the development of water content profiles in the sheet substantiated a law of water transfer transfer using the water content gradient as the thermodynamic transfer force.  The coefficient of transfer involved in the law was measured, and proved to be highly dependent on the water content.  aNatural rubber  aSheet form  aWater transfer  aBenet J C  aCousin B  aSainte-Beuve J