EFFECT OF PROCESS VARIABLES ON THE QUALITY OF NR LATEX CONDOMS

The influence of processvariables suchas ball milling time, concentration and temperature of mould deaning, temperature, and time ofprevulcanization and final vulcanization on the quality of condoms and the pinhole rejection rate have been studied. It was found that an optimum ball milling time of 72 h improve condom properties and reduce pinhole rejectionrate. Optimum concentration of mould cleaning soap solution is in the range of 0 .5-0.7 % and its temperature 60 °C. Time and temperature of prevulcanization and final vulcanization are interrelated in determining the final product properties.