The latex doctor

SyntheticpolyisopreneNeoprene latexAllergic reactions to NR latexmedical glovescontinue to be aconcern. However, syntheticpolymers have problems ofchemical resistanceto materialscommonly found in the medicalenvironment, and reduced tactile sensitivity. I understand synthetic polyisoprene the samepolymer as Nit latex is nowavailable as a latex.

Is synthetic polyisoprene Latex asatisfactory substitute for NRlatex? Does it have equivalentphysical properties and chemical resistanceand dues it avoidprotein allergy problem?

H.M. PatelMurnbai

S yntheticpolyisoprenelatex isavailableandit is a substitute

for NH. latex.However, "satisfactory" is a subjectiveterm andyouwill haveto decidethat for your-self.

There are two sources ofpolyisoprene latex with which Iam familiar. I’m sure there areother suppliersas well.

* AqualastT PJP300Lord CorporationChemicalProducts2000 West GrandviewBlvdP.O. Box 10038Erie PA 16514-C038USATele: 814-868-3611X-3277Fax: 814-864-3452

* KratonTM 1R-RP401LatexShell JapanLtd.Daiba FrontierBuilding 2-3-2

DaibaMinato-kuTokyo 135-8074JapanTele: 81-3-5500-3018Fax: 81-3-5500-3098

I suggestyou contact thesesourcesfor literatureandspecificinformation in reference to theproductyou wish to make.

Synthetic polyisoprene laticescontain stabilizerswhich can inhibit vulcanizationor canpreventnormal coagulantdipping. Youmust developa compoundandaprocesswhich will overcometheseproblems. Also, "pot life"canbemuchshorterthanwhatwehaveexperiencedwith NH. latexcompounds

Thesecanbe resolvedby propercompoundingandprocessdevelopment.

It should be kept in mind thatalthough protein allergies areavoided by using syntheticpolyisoprenc,thesamechemicalresiduesarepresentin syntheticpolyisoprenefilms as are in NH.latex films. Good leachingis essentialto avoidproblems of contactdermatitis.

I am student of L.D. Collegeof Engineering, Ahniedabadstudying in B.E. 7th semesterRubber Technology.

"Neoprene Latex" is assigned* to me as subject of seminar dur

ing the present semester. Iwould like to gather the detailedInformation-viz, manufacturingprocess,properties, application,

Harry F. Bader

Harry F. Bader,Vice- President,LatexServices,AkronRubber DevelopmentLaboratory, Akron,USA. and a worldauthority on latex,answersquestionsand doubtsofreaderson latex andlatexproducts.

Send your questions to:

‘The Latex Doctor’Rubber Asia,Dhanam House,Cochin - 682 020,Kerala, IndiaFax: 94-484-317872

RubberAsia November - December 2000 63

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history, etc. as regards theabovesubject.

Kindly arrange to sendme allrelevant details as regards thesubject as early as you can, sothat I may utilize the same inconnection with my seminarsubject.

As 1 find It difficult to collectthis information here, I amforced to give you the trouble. Ihope you would kindly excuseme for the same. Kindly alsoinform me about the booksavailable on the subject.

Gatha KothariAhemedabad

T he term Neopreneis a tradename for polychloroprene

manufacturedby theDupontCorporation. There are other manufacturers of polychioroprene.Bayer A.G. is oneof them.

Your questioncovers a widerangeof information.ThereforeIam going to provide sourcesofinformation rather than answerdirectly.

For generalinformation on themanufacturingof polychioroprenelatexandtheuseof polychioroprene in productionof latexrelatedproducts,I suggestyou get accessto:

* High PolymerLaticesByD.C. Blackley 1996MacLaren& SonsLtd.LondonPalmertonPublishing Co.,Inc. - New YorkPrinted by The GardenCityPressLtd.Letchworth, Hertfordshire,UK

* PolymerLaticesby D.C.Blackley 1997Chapman& Hall India,R. Sesbadri32 SecondMain RoadCIT EastMadras - 600 035 India.

Both should be in either yourUniversity Library or a City Library.

In addition, since both DupontandBayerproduceliteratureabouttheir products,you shouldcontactthem:

* Dupont Dow elastomers,L.L.C.www.dupont-dow.com

Mr. Paul Graves-AmericasProductManagerX 300 HellevueParkwayWilmington, DE 19809X I Maritime Square#10-54World TradeCentreSingapore099253Telephone: 65-275-9383Fax: 65-275-9395

* Bayer. Inc.Mr. JohnSweet.V.P.SalesandMarketing126Vidal StreetSarnia,Ontario,CanadaN7T 7M2Telephone:519-337-8251Fax: 519-339-7723

Many polymers in addition tonatural latex are being used formedical gloves. What are thedifferences In the properties ofthesepolymers?

Sunil AgarwalBaroda

Someof thedifferencessuchas reducedflexibility higher

modulus, greater permanentsetandlower elongationaffect theacceptability of alternative polymers.Thesearesubjectiveandarebasedupon personalpreferenceswhich frequentlyhavelittle or nobearingupon thebarrierproperties of the glove.

There are some importantchemical resistancedifferenceswhich shouldbeevaluated.We’vebecome familiar with the useof NH. latex medical gloves formany tasks in the medical environment.However, thc syntheticpolymer of your choice may notbe suitablefor some tasks. Forexample:* Vinyl glovesare quickly disso

lved by acetone.* Polyurethanebecomestacky by

contactwith alcohol after about30 seconds

* SEBSdevelopsholesafterabout15 secondscontactwith bonecement,If you plan to useanalternative

syntheticpolymerin placeof NRlatex medicalgloves,be sureyoubecomeknowledgeableaboutthepropertiesof thatpolymerbeforeyou exposethealternativeglovesto otherthanbody fluids. I wouldexpectthesupplierof thesealternativeglovesto provide guidanceon this subject.

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