The effect of filler on the protein content and interferences in rubber latices

Abstract

It is well known that the application of commercial fillers like calcium carbonate has widely been used in natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves as well as other dipped products such as balloons, condom and catheters. The main reason of adding the fillers into the rubber compound was as cheapening aid and to improve the end-product properties. Due to its functional benefit, many studies have been conducted on the application and beneficial usage of fillers in natural rubber (NR) compounds and natural rubber latex (NRL) dipped goods namely gloves. However most of the studies were basically emphasizing on the effect of fillers on the physical properties and surface morphology of rubber. Not many studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of filler on the protein content in NRL products. Earlier work by other workers has only been concentrating on the effect of nano-sized calcium carbonate fillers in NR latex gloves. Because of the concern on the issue of latex protein allergy; it is thus important to study the effect of filler on protein content and its interferences in the rubber lattices. This paper will seek to elaborate on the effect of filler content on the total protein and extractable protein (EP) content of NR latex films at various filler loadings before and after ageing. The effect of interferences by filler that was mixed into the NR latex on the total nitrogen and EP content were also measured and shown.