Nitrile and PVC blend

Glove Manufacturer: We had been advised to look into the possibility of blending Nitrile and PVC. What advantages could this blend bring us?

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): In dry rubber technology, nitrile rubber has been successfully used as a blend with PVC at a ratio of 70/30 to 60/40 for many years since both polymers have quite a good compatibility with each other. Conventionally plasticized PVC compound tends to stiffen too much at low temperatures and nitrile is considered a good alternative plasticizer for PVC. Also, products made from such blend have better thermal stability.

From the point of view of Nitrile, the presence of PVC render the product low in inflammability, resistant to ozone cracking besides being resistant to oil and aromatic fuels. In fact some blends could have superior quality to both Neoprene(Polychloroprene) and Nitrile.

However, too high a level of PVC might lead to an increase of "Permanent Set". PVC latex is preferably pre-plasticized before use.

It goes without saying that you have to ensure good latex stability after the blending.

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