The latex doctor Synthetic polyisoprene Neoprene latex Allergic reactions to NR latex medical gloves continue to be a concern. However, synthetic polymers have problems of chemical resistance to materials commonly found in the medical environment, and reduced tac tile sensitivity. I understand syn thetic polyisoprene the same polymer as Nit latex is now available as a latex. Is synthetic polyisoprene Latex a satisfactory substitute for NR latex? Does it have equivalent physical properties and chemi cal resistance and dues it avoid protein allergy problem? H.M. Patel Murnbai S ynthetic polyisoprene latex is available and it is a substitute for NH. latex. However, "satisfac tory" is a subjective term and you will have to decide that for your- self. There are two sources of polyisoprene latex with which I am familiar. I’m sure there are other suppliers as well. * AqualastT PJP300 Lord Corporation Chemical Products 2000 West Grandview Blvd P.O. Box 10038 Erie PA 165 14-C038 USA Tele: 814-868-3611 X-3277 Fax: 814-864-3452 * KratonTM 1R-RP401 Latex Shell Japan Ltd. Daiba Frontier Building 2-3-2 Daiba Minato-ku Tokyo 135-8074 Japan Tele: 81-3-5500-3018 Fax: 81-3-5500-3098 I suggest you contact these sources for literature and specific information in reference to the product you wish to make. Synthetic polyisoprene latices contain stabilizers which can in hibit vulcanization or can prevent normal coagulant dipping. You must develop a compound and a process which will overcome these problems. Also, "pot life" can be much shorter than what we have experienced with NH. latex compounds These can be resolved by proper compounding and process devel opment. It should be kept in mind that although protein allergies are avoided by using synthetic polyisoprenc, the same chemical residues are present in synthetic polyisoprene films as are in NH. latex films. Good leaching is es sential to avoid problems of con tact dermatitis. I am student of L.D. College of Engineering, Ahniedabad studying in B.E. 7th semester Rubber Technology. "Neoprene Latex" is assigned * to me as subject of seminar dur ing the present semester. I would like to gather the detailed Information-viz, manufacturing process, properties, application, Harry F. Bader Harry F. Bader, Vice- President, Latex Services, Akron Rubber Development Laboratory, Akron, USA. and a world authority on latex, answers questions and doubts of readers on latex and latex products. Send your questions to: ‘The Latex Doctor’ Rubber Asia, Dhanam House, Cochin - 682 020, Kerala, India Fax: 94-484-317872 RubberAsia November - December 2000 63
Transcript
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
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.
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
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.
