Compounding for Low Temperature Applications of Natural Rubber Products

Manufacturer: We are manufacturers of a range of natural rubber based products intended for applications at low temperature during winters. However, we have not been very successful because the products tend to harden at low temperatures. Please give us some clues on how to overcome this problem.
 
John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): Owing to the stereoregularity of the natural rubber molecules, the rubber tends to crystallise and lose elasticity with increased stiffness when subjected to  proloned exposure to low temperatures.

I suggest you conduct some experiements by increasing the levels of sulphur and accelerators, particularly sulphur. Adding a plasticizer such as di-iso-octyl sebacate, would be advantageous. Replacing some of the natural rubber with "super processing rubber" made partially from prevulcanised latex such as PA 80, could also heelp.