Characterizing Mechanical Properties of Peroxide-Vulcanized Natural Rubber Latex Films

Abstract:

Natural rubber latex is the material of choice for the fabrication of thin elastic films in many products such as gloves and condoms owing to its high strength, elasticity, comfort in use, good barrier properties and ‘green image’ [1, 2]. This unique combination of characteristics has its origins in the intrinsic properties of the crosslinked polymer network within the rubber matrix. The crosslinking of rubber hydrocarbon chains by free radicals generated from peroxide has been discovered for many years [3]. In peroxide crosslinking reactions, organic peroxide decomposes to produce reactive free radicals that will react to release hydrogen ions from the carbon hydrogen in the polymer chain, encouraging formation of free radicals on the rubber molecular chains. As the free radicals react with the polymer chains, the carbon hydrogen in the chains act as reactive centre that combines with centres of other rubber chains to form a network of carbon to carbon bonds which serve as crosslinks [3, 4].

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1134)
• Pages: 236-242
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1134.236
• Online since: December 2015
• Authors: Roslim Ramli*, Jefri Jaapar, Manroshan Singh Jaswan Singh, Siti Noor Suzila Maqsood Ul Haque, Amir Hashim Md Yatim
• Keywords: Crosslink Density, Hydroxyacetone, Natural Rubber Latex, Tensile Strength, Tert-Buthyl Hyroperoxide

References

[1] P. J. Kevin. 'Natural rubber as a green commodity - Part II,. Rubber Developments. pp.37-42, (1994).

[2] M. Y. Amir Hashim and M. W. Rosni, Sustaining and enhancing latex products industry, presented at the IRRDB Rubber Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, (2009).

[3] D. C. Blackley, Polymer lattices science and technology, 2nd ed. London: Chapman and Hall, (1997).

[4] M. S. Ma'zam, Peroxide prevulcanization of natural rubber latex, PhD, London School of Polymer Technology, The North London Polytechnic, London, (1989).

[5] D. Dazylah, M. S. Ma'zam and M. Y. Amir Hashim, Changes in the micro-structure and tensile properties of peroxide prevulcanised natural rubber latex films during thermal oxidative ageing, Journal of Rubber Research, vol. 10, pp.222-234, (2007).

[6] L. D. Loan, Mechanism of peroxide vulcanization of elastomers, Rubber Chemistry and Technology, vol. 40, pp.149-176, (1967).

DOI: 10.5254/1.3539040

[7] K. L. Chong, The chemistry of sulphur vulcanization of natural rubber latex, PhD, London School of Polymer Technology, The North London Polytechnic, London, (1977).

[8] A. R. Azura, An investigation of the effect of ageing on the physical properties of natural rubber, PhD, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K., (2003).

[9] M. C. Throdahl, Physical aspects of aging of rubbers, presented at the Symposium on aging of rubbers : American Society for Testing Materials, Chicago, U.S.A., (1949).

DOI: 10.1520/stp43955s

[10] R. Roslim and M. Y. Amir Hashim, Calcium carbonate in low protien natural rubber latex films, in 4th International Conference on Recent Advances in Materials, Minerals & Environment And 2nd Asian Symposium on Materials and Process, Penang, Malaysia, (2009).