Journal Published Online: 01 November 1999
Volume 27, Issue 6

Environmental Degradation of Natural Rubber Latex Gloves: The Effects of Elevated Temperature on Tensile Strength

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

Various styles of latex gloves were oven-aged for 7, 14, and 21 days at 70°C and then subjected to tension testing per ASTM D 412. Five of seven powder-free glove styles exhibited dramatic decreases in tensile strength after 7 to 14 days at 70°C, with total decreases in tensile strength ranging from 70 to over 90% after 21 days of aging. These five styles were examination gloves that were later confirmed to be chlorinated. In contrast, a chlorinated surgical glove, a non-chlorinated examination glove, and all of the powdered gloves (examination and surgical) subjected to the same conditions exhibited total decreases in tensile strength ranging from 0 to 25% after 21 days. These results suggest that chlorination, a process commonly used in the manufacture of powder-free gloves, may have detrimental effects on the ability of natural rubber latex to retain its barrier integrity after exposure to severely elevated temperatures.

Author Information

Walsh, DL
U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Science & Technology, Rockville, MD
Chwirut, DJ
U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Science & Technology, Rockville, MD
Kotz, RM
U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Surveillance & Biometrics, Rockville, MD
Pages: 6
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JTE12168J
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE12168J