| abstract |
A polymer article formed from a cured carboxylated nitrile latex, wherein a first compound containing carbodiimide groups; a second compound containing carboxylated groups; and a pH adjustor consisting of ammonium hydroxide; are reacted together to form a cured carboxylated nitrile latex being free of any one of a crosslinking agent containing sulphur; zinc oxide; stearic acid; and an accelerator; wherein the first compound comprises at least one of a mono-carbodiimide, di-carbodiimide, tri-carbodiimide, tetra-carbodiimide, oligo-carbodiimide and poly-carbodiimide; and wherein the second compound comprises at least one of modified natural rubber latex, synthetic polymers based on acrylonitrile, butadiene, isoprene, styrene, chloroprene, ethylene, vinyl chloride and copolymers, blends and mixtures thereof. The accelerator may comprise carbamates, thiazoles, thioureas, sulphenamides, xanthates, guanidines or their derivatives. Preferably, the latex polymer article may also comprise a pigment, an antioxidant and an antiozonant. The nitrile latex polymer article is preferably a thin wall article, most preferably selected from a glove, finger cot, condom, balloon, bladder bag, catheter, tubing, rubber band, tourniquet, elastic band, diaphragm, dental dam and sheath. |