Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.54, No.5, 525-531, 1994
Degradability Testing of Radiation-Vulcanized Natural-Rubber Latex Films
The degradability under various conditions of five kinds of radiation-vulcanized natural rubber latex (RVNRL) films was studied. The treatments were leaching in methanol, leaching in 1% ammonia solution, mixing with tris(nonylated phenyl) phosphite (TNP) antioxidant, blending with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and grafting with PMMA, Comparisons were made with sulfur-vulcanized natural rubber latex (SVNRL) film. RVNRL films and SVNRL film can be kept for a long time when indirectly exposed to sunlight at room temperature. However, the former degraded much more rapidly than did the latter. TNP was found to be very suitable as an antioxidant to prolong the life of RVNRL films under dry conditions. PMMA, either blended or grafted with RVNRL, was ineffective in the prevention of deterioration of RVNRL films. The rapid degradation of RVNRL products could be an advantage over SVNRL products in environmental and wildlife conservation.