Blends of sulphur prevulcanised natural rubber latex and 2-(Dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate-grafted latex for improved static dissipative properties

Improvement in static dissipative properties of cast films prepared from blends of natural rubber latex and 2-(Dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA)-grafted NR latex was demonstrated. The relative changes in surface properties of the cast films prepared from latex blends were investigated using surface resistivity measurements, contact angle and Fourier Transform Infrared-Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR). The results indicated that static dissipative properties and surface related properties, such as surface energy and wettability could be enhanced provided that an appropriate blend ratio of the DMAEMA-grafted NR latex and an effective amount of monomer was used in the preparation of the grafted NR latex. Differences in the properties of film surfaces, the air-facing and former-facing surfaces are also described.