Latex and latex articles formed from branched polymers

• Main Authors: Van De Weg, Henk, Tromp, Maarten, De Jong, Wouter, Van Der Huizen, Adrie
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 23.07.2024
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F,C08G; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULARARTICLES; INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS; MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVINGCARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS; METALLURGY; ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; OUTERWEAR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; TRANSPORTING; WEARING APPAREL; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL; WORKING-UP

Dipped formed latex articles with improved properties are formed from branched block copolymers, derived from alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon-1,3-diene monomer system, and branched polyisoprene homopolymers, derived from isoprene. The polymers are obtained by polymerization in the presence of an anionic initiator; at a temperature from 0° C. to 100° C.; followed by coupling with a multifunctional coupling agent of formula (R1O)3Si-Y-Si(OR2)3, wherein R1 and R2 are independently C1-C6 alkyl groups; and Y is a C2-C8 alkylene group. The polymers are obtained as rubber cements having high solids content and low zero shear viscosities. The rubber cements are valuable for making latices and latex articles such as dipped goods, e.g., condoms, gloves, etc., with improved properties.