Breaking and Tearing of Condoms During Use

Manufacturer: We have a serious problem with our condom which is produced by our company. Our lines are from RT and we use PV latex. The problem is the broken and tearing condoms sometimes by our condom users through sexual process. I send you pictures and video for our condom. Please send us your comments and suggestion that how to solve our condom quality problem.

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): From your photographs and the samples you sent me, the defects of the condoms could very likely be due to the presence of micro-air bubbles, foreign particles and unknown contamination of the latex. Care should be taken to minimize the formation of air bubbles during the transferring and mixing of the latex. Any air bubbles present should be eliminated before dipping. Ensure that the film of the rubber is at its maximum physical strength by the various stages of the dipping process.

Ensure that all particles of chemicals used in the latex compound are well milled and dispersed. Introduce some Q/C tests to detect possible contamination of the latex which can occur either at your factory or your supplier's factory.

Also, although prevulcanised latex (PV) is being used, sometimes the cure state of the PV can still advance on storage. Therefore it is advisable that you measure the cure state during the cause of the storage and processing of the PV.