Development of Natural Rubber Latex Foam for Hand Exercising Application

Abstract

This study has developed an alternative compounding formulation and process for natural rubber latex (NRL) foams for hand exercising application. Deprotenized natural rubber latex was used as raw material and a combination of DIXP and TBzTD, which were fugitive and high molecular weight accelerators, respectively, was used to lower allergenic potential and harmful nitrosamines. The NRL foams were prepared to various densities, characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and tested for hardness index, accelerated ageing and compression set in comparison to the foams with conventional compounding formulation. With the same processes, the foams with these two different formulations were found to have similar densities and hardness indices. However, the foams using DIXP and TBzTD accelerators performed better in compression set and accelerated ageing tests.