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ABSTRACT
Preparation of transparent natural rubber film by addition of carboxy methyl cellulose
(CMC) into radiation vulcanized natural rubber latex (RVNRL) was conducted. The purpose is
aimed at fabrication of transparent dipped products and rubber medical devices from RVNRL.
Controlled molecular weight of CMC was added into RVNRL which subsequently centrifuged to
remove non-rubber parts with CMC from RVNRL. The transparency of rubber films was done us-
ing UV–VIS–NIR spectrophotometer by measuring light transmittance of 330 nm passing through
rubber films. The results revealed that most transparent rubber films were achieved by addition
of CMC which has been gamma ray de-polymerized CMC to a viscosity average molecular weight
of 18 kDa at a concentration of 2 phr then centrifuged at a centrifugal force of 12,500 g .
Keyword :
radiation vulcanization, transparent rubber latex film, carboxy methyl cellulose
