Ionic Liquid Synthetic Rubber Latex Composition for Thin, Flexible Gloves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elastomeric gloves made from natural rubber latex cause Type I hypersensitivity in some users due to protein content, and synthetic alternatives face challenges in maintaining strength and flexibility at reduced thickness, leading to inefficiencies and potential allergic reactions from chemical additives.
Innovation Solution
A synthetic rubber latex composition incorporating an ionic liquid, metal oxides, and functional materials is used to produce gloves with improved strength and flexibility, eliminating the need for sulfur and accelerators, and allowing for lower curing temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If synthetic rubber latex is used to avoid latex allergy, then allergic reactions are reduced, but strength and flexibility at reduced thickness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the rubber latex by incorporating ionic liquids and metal oxides in specific ratios. This modifies the molecular structure and cross-linking density of the synthetic rubber, enhancing its mechanical strength and flexibility without compromising the allergy-free property. The ionic liquid acts as a plasticizer and cross-linking agent that improves material properties at the molecular level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining synthetic rubber latex with ionic liquids and metal oxides. This composite approach allows the integration of multiple functional components: the synthetic rubber provides the base structure, the ionic liquid enhances flexibility and strength, and the metal oxides provide reinforcement. The synergistic interaction between these components resolves the contradiction between strength and allergy-free properties.
2Quantity of substance
If palm film thickness is reduced to lower costs, then manufacturing costs decrease, but strength and reliability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the material properties through parameter changes in composition (ionic liquid content, metal oxide ratios) to achieve higher strength-to-thickness ratio. This allows the glove to maintain required strength at reduced thickness, effectively lowering raw material consumption without sacrificing structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by concentrating reinforcing agents (metal oxides and ionic liquids) in specific regions or at controlled concentrations within the latex composition. This localized optimization of material properties enables reduced overall thickness while maintaining strength where most needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional curing methods are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but high curing temperatures increase energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal curing mechanism with a chemical curing mechanism driven by ionic liquids. Instead of relying solely on high temperature to initiate and complete the curing process, the ionic liquid acts as a catalyst and reactive medium that enables curing at lower temperatures. This substitution of the curing mechanism reduces energy consumption while maintaining process simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the curing temperature parameter from high (conventional) to low (ionic liquid-enabled) by modifying the chemical environment. The ionic liquid creates a chemical pathway that allows curing to proceed efficiently at reduced temperatures, thereby reducing energy consumption without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition enables gloves with enhanced strength and comfort, meeting industry standards while reducing manufacturing costs and allergic reactions, and providing a more environmentally friendly production process.
Implementation Method 1
The composition comprises a synthetic rubber latex, and an ionic liquid... The ionic liquid may be present in the composition between 0.05 to 1.5 parts per hundred rubber
Implementation Method 2
The composition may further comprise one or more metal oxides. The one or more metal oxides may include at least one of zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, cadmium oxide, and aluminum oxide
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are compositions and associated methods for producing elastomeric rubber gloves with improved strength and flexibility at desirable glove palm thicknesses. An example elastomeric rubber glove comprises a substrate formed from a composition comprising a synthetic rubber latex, and an ionic liquid. The ionic liquid may comprise a combination of one or more alkyl imidazole ionic salts. The composition may comprise one or more metal oxides, including at least one of zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, cadmium oxide, and aluminum oxide. The synthetic rubber latex compositions were found to yield a material with strength and flexibility characteristics comparable to natural latex gloves of a greater thickness. The described gloves may also be cured without the addition of Sulphur and other vulcanization or rubber accelerators, further reducing the risk of allergies and costs of production.