Studies on radiation grafting of methyl methacrylate onto natural rubber for improving modulus of latex film

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) can be grafted onto natural rubber (NR) in latex by gamma irradiation for improving the mechanical properties of the dry films.. Physical blending of MMA-grafted NR latex with radiation vulcanized natural rubber latex (RVNRL) or simultaneous radiation grafting and crosslinking are found to be useful techniques for improving the properties of latex films. Moduli of the films are improved with increasing MMA content; however, tensile strength is reduced. High modulus without much reduction in tensile strength can be achieved if the MMA content is 50-60 parts per hundred rubber. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.