Radiation Vulcanisation Natural Rubber Latex and its Properties

Abstract

In natural rubber latex vulcanisation, the use of gamma radiation helps to simplify the process, produces cleaner vulcanised natural rubber latex and hence dipped latex products. The vulcanisates of radiation vulcanised natural rubber latex (RVNRL), meet the current specifications required for dipped products. RVNRL films vulcanisates have the tensile strength of about 28 MPa and an elongation at break of about 1000%. Incineration of the film vulcanisates gave a detectable level of sulphur of about 0.11 ppm and an ash residue of less than 1%. Products from RVNRL are free from chemical-induced allergies, hence user-friendly and environment-friendly.