| Abstract: | Radiation-vulcanization of natural rubber latex (NRL) with n-butyl acrylate gives a higher tensile strength for films obtained after casting. The ageing properties of radiation-vulcanized natural rubber in the presence of various antioxidants have been investigated. In order to find out suitable antioxidants for radiation-vulcanized natural rubber latex (RVNRL) films, extraction of the gel fraction was carried out in xylene with 1 wt.-% antioxidant and air bubbling. Antioxidants which give less reduction in gel fraction due to oxidative degradation during extraction are effective for ageing tests of RVNRL films. It was found that tris(nonylated phenyl) phosphite (Nonflex TNP) and 2,5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone (Antage DAH), among 12 different antioxidants tested, were the most effective antioxidants for RVNRL films. |
