Journal Published Online: 27 March 2014
Volume 42, Issue 3

Effect of Isopropanol and Ethanol on the Tensile Properties of Natural Rubber Latex Condoms

CODEN: JTEVAB

Abstract

The use of isopropanol as a means to remove lubricants from natural rubber latex (NRL) condoms prior to tensile testing is considered acceptable per ASTM D3492-08. However, there is some indication in the technical literature that isopropanol may be detrimental to NRL. In this study, three different brands of NRL condoms were tested for tensile properties after exposure to either isopropanol or one of two different ethyl alcohols, and a control group was tested without exposure to any alcohol. Tensile rings cut from NRL condoms were soaked in the respective alcohols for one hour at 25°C and 50 % relative humidity before undergoing tensile testing. The results of this study are presented along with statistical analysis of the data (thickness, force at break, tensile strength, and elongation). Although the analysis shows there were a few statistically significant differences in some of the measured parameters, the differences were relatively small in magnitude and likely of minimal scientific importance. Consequently, we conclude that under the conditions used in this study, the alcohols tested do not have a detrimental effect on the tensile properties of NRL condoms.

Author Information

Schwerin, Matthew
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Division of Solid and Fluid Mechanics, Silver Spring, MD, US
Walsh, Donna
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Division of Solid and Fluid Mechanics, Silver Spring, MD, US
Zhang, Zhiwei
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Surveillance and Biometrics, Division of Biostatistics, Silver Spring, MD, US
Pages: 8
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JTE20130069
ISSN: 0090-3973
DOI: 10.1520/JTE20130069