Publication: The potential of polycarbodiimide as an accelerator-free crosslinker in carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber gloves
Date
2024-09-01
Authors
Nadia, Wan Azman
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Abstract
Vulcanization accelerators in sulfur crosslinked carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) gloves pose health risks, including Type IV allergies, leading manufacturers to develop alternative accelerator-free (AF) crosslinking systems. This study compares the characteristics and mechanical properties of polycarbodiimide (PCDI), sulfur, and zinc oxide crosslink systems. Each of these crosslinkers was compounded with XNBR latex, gloves were prepared through dipping and tested. Additionally, the PCDI crosslink system's ideal loading and processing parameters were also carried out. The mechanical properties of XNBR gloves that utilized PCDI are comparable to the sulfur and zinc oxide crosslink system due to the mechanism systems that generate ionic and covalent crosslink formation hence a denser polymer network. Across all crosslink systems, a tensile strength of about 40 MPa was achieved. The optimum loading of PCDI crosslinker for good mechanical properties was obtained at 0.5 phr. Processing parameters (preleaching time and curing temperature) were tested, and it was found that removing excess foreign matter that with a preleaching period of one minute at 50°C was sufficient, and, PCDI crosslinkers have been proven to be able to crosslink and function at lower temperatures, such 60°C and 80°C. The results show that PCDI has qualities that fulfil the requirements for gloves application and can be employed as an accelerator free crosslinker in XNBR gloves.