Radiation Vulcanization of Natural Rubber Latex (RVNRL)

Radiation vulcanisation is achieved through the exposure of natural rubber latex to gamma rays from a coblat-60 source. RVRNL is non-radioactive and safe to handle. The attraction is the simplicity of the process. It requires no curatives like sulphur, zinc oxide and accelerators. The use of sensitiser in the preparation helps to increase the efficiency of the vulcanisation process. No special latex is required, the normal high ammonia latex concentrate can be used for the preparation. Moreover, RVRNL can be processed into dipped products according to the standard technique already available.

The many advantages of RVRNL are best exploted based on the following :

• Better latex stability (longer shelf life possible)
• Lower modulus (suit requirement of certain applications)
• Less or absence of toxicity problem (free from nitrosamines and accelerators induce allergies)
• Better clarity of products (better colouration)
• Cleaner industrial effluents (less environmental pollution)
• Lower ash content (less environmental pollution)
• Absence or lower acid combustion gases (safer disposal of used products)

The RVRNL have the following properties :

• Total solid content : 50 % (min)
• Ammonia : 0.3 % (min)
• pH : 9-10
• MST : 700 secs.
• Brookfiled Viscousity : 30-40 cps (Spindle 18/30 rpm / 25Centigrades)

Typical properties of RVNRL dipped films :

• Tensile strength : 18.0 MPa (min)
• Modulus @ 500% : 2 - 4 MPa
• Modulus @ 700% : 6 - 9 MPa
• Elongation @ Break : 800% (min)

RVRNL is suitable for production of gloves, balloons, baby teats and many other dipped products readily exploited by the users.