Optimisation of specialty rubber latex application in dipped latex product

The preparation of epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) latex-dipped film was successfully carried out. The effects of several parameters, such as sulphur loading, vulcanisation temperature and time, leaching temperature and time, thickness, oil, and chemical resistance, were studied. ENR latex films were successfully prepared by varying the sulphur loading from 0.5 phr to 2.0 phr. Superior tensile properties were observed for the vulcanised temperature at 75 °C with vulcanisation at 30 min. A longer leaching time and higher leaching temperature demonstrated an optimal tensile strength for ENR latex to leach out all undesirable chemicals. The thickness of ENR-dipped film can be varied by selecting an appropriate concentration of latex TSC and coagulant, different dwelling times, and former temperatures. The determination of oil resistances showed that the oil uptake of ENRs in oils was substantially less than that of natural rubber (NR) and was comparable to commercial gloves. Aside from that, ENR demonstrated remarkable chemical resistance to acid and alkaline solutions.