The Need for Maturation of NR Latex Compounds

Manufacturer: We are experiencing poor physical properties, especially the tensile strength, of our NR latex products made from the casting and extrusion processes. This is despite the fact that our latex compound formulation has been optimised in the lab with the right cure temperature and cure time, with the help of a consultant. Your input on how we could overcome this problem would be highly appreciated.

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant: You might be having "precure" problem. The latex compound should be sufficiently matured to allow for some degree of cross-linking (i.e., prevulcanisation) to take place before commencing with further processing. 

The required degree of "prevulcanisation" could be determined with the Chloroform Coagulation or Toluene Swell test. An insufficiently matured latex compound could lead to poor tensile strength even if you increase the cure temperature and/or cure time.