VARIATION OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF RADIATION CROSSLINKED RUBBER WITH STORAGE TIME

The effect of storage on physico-chemical properties of non-irradiated natural rubber and radiation vulcanized natural rubber (RVNR) were evaluated. The rubber films were stored under two different conditions, namely in open air and sealed polyethylene bags. The antioxidant, tris(nonylated phenyl) phosphite (TNPP) was used for preventing degradation of RVNR films. Gel content, cross-link density, tensile strength at break and 500% elongation of rubber films were measured.The results show that the retention (%) of tensile properties of rubber films with TNPP is higher than that of rubber films without antioxidants. The rubber films stored in polyethylene bags also show better retention of tensile properties than those of rubber films stored in open air.