Effects of Detergents on Latex Dipped Products

Manufacturer: We are manufacturing re-usable latex dipped products which sometimes must be washed with detergents after use. We observed that some of these products had poorer ageing resistance after such washing e.g. increasing in tackiness, loss in tensile strength, etc. Your advise on how to overcome this problem would be highly appreciated.

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): This could be due to the extraction and/or destruction of the antioxidants and some residual dithiocarbamates during washing in the presence of water. Hence the choice of antioxidants and dithiocarbamates or accelerators both in terms of type and level are of utmost importance. In addition, an EV (Efficient Vulcanisation) system is superior to conventional sulphur curing system.

A separate detailed report with my recommended latex compound formulations had been sent to you.