Manufacturer: Dear Sir, we have been having problem in achieving good tensile strength with our gloves. We would be very grateful if you could help answering the following equations:

1) Why do the tensile strength of the gloves vary from glove to glove on the same day of production using the same batch of latex compound?

2) Is there ant relation between maturation of latex compound and tensile strength of gloves?

3) Does blending over-matured latex with fresh compound improve tensile strength?


John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): Here are my answers to your questions:

1) Why do the tensile strength of the gloves vary from glove to glove on the same day of production using the same batch of latex compound?

This is possible if the latex compound has too fast a curing rate. The tensile strength might increase initially before dropping with time, even on the same day of production, using the same batch of latex compound.


2) Is there any relation between maturation of latex compound and tensile strength of gloves?

Yes, of course. Both insufficient and over maturation could lead to low tensile strength.


3) Does blending over-matured latex with fresh compound improve tensile strength?

Not necessarily. It depends on how bad is the over-matured latex compound and how fresh is the new latex compound. Also, it depends on the ratio of both compounds in the blend. The only way to find out is the test the physical properties of the finished gloves.

Generally, if a particular batch of latex compound gives poor tensile strength due to over maturation, blending it with fresh compound can improve the tensile strength.