Source Year: 2012

An attempt was made to improve the green strength of fresh natural rubber latex by exposure to low doses of y radiation followed by centrifuging to reduce the non-rubber ingredients. The centrifuged latex was then vulcanised by exposure to y-radiation in presence of n-butyl acrylate as sensitizer. The non-rubber ingredients were further removed by suitable leaching operations. As a result of the chemical changes accompanied by exposure of latex to y-radiation, the extractable protein content of the radiation vulcanised natural rubber latex (RVNRL) films decreased to acceptable levels (below) 50 mg g-1). The mechanical properties of RVNRL also improved by using centrifuged natural rubber latex having high gel content or by blending with sulphur vulcanised natural rubber latex (SVNRL).