Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene articles
A polymeric article comprises an elastomeric layer comprising cured synthetic polyisoprene particles that comprise a Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene.
1. A polymeric article comprising:
an elastomeric layer comprising cured synthetic polyisoprene particles that comprise a Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material;
wherein the elastomeric layer comprises a post-vulcanized structure having a molecular weight between crosslinks (M c ) of less than 11,000 g/mol.
2. The polymeric article of claim 1 , wherein the synthetic polyisoprene particles are pre-vulcanized.
3. The polymeric article of claim 1 , wherein the Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material comprises a branched macrostructure.
4. The polymeric article of claim 1 , wherein the Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material comprises a cis-1,4 isomer content of 95% by weight or greater.
5. The polymeric article of claim 1 , wherein the Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material comprises a cis-1,4 isomer content of about 96% to 97% by weight.
6. The polymeric article of claim 1 , wherein the Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material comprises a trans-1,4 isomer content of 1% by weight or less.
7. The polymeric article of claim 1 , wherein the Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material comprises a 3,4 isomer content of 5% by weight or less.
8. The polymeric article of claim 1 , wherein the article has a thickness in the range of from 0.030 to 0.065 mm.
9. The polymeric article of claim 1 , wherein the synthetic polyisoprene particles have a median particle diameter in the range of approximately from 0.2 to 2 micrometers.
10. The polymeric article of claim 1 , wherein the synthetic polyisoprene particles are bonded to each other through intra-polyisoprene particle crosslinks and inter-polyisoprene particle crosslinks.
11. A condom comprising:
an elastomeric layer comprising cured synthetic polyisoprene particles that are pre-vulcanized,
wherein the synthetic polyisoprene particles comprise a Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material that comprises:
a cis-1,4 isomer content of 95% by weight or greater;
a trans-1,4 isomer content of 1% by weight or less; and
a 3,4 isomer content of 5% by weight or less
wherein the elastomeric layer comprises a post-vulcanized structure having a molecular weight between crosslinks (M c ) of less than 11,000 g/mol.
12. The condom of claim 11 , wherein the elastomeric layer forms an open end, a closed end, and a tubular sheath extending from the closed end to the open end.
13. The condom of claim 11 , wherein the Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material comprises a branched macrostructure.
14. The condom of claim 11 , wherein the synthetic polyisoprene particles have a median particle diameter in the range of approximately from 0.2 to 1.5 micrometers.
15. A method for producing a polymeric article, comprising:
disposing an elastomeric coating of a Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material on a former; and
curing the elastomeric coating to form an elastomeric layer of the polymeric article wherein the elastomeric layer comprises a post-vulcanized structure having a molecular weight between crosslinks (M c ) of less than 11,000 g/mol.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the disposing of the elastomeric coating on the former comprises dipping the former into an emulsion of the Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the emulsion of the Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material is pre-vulcanized before dipping the former.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the polymeric article comprises a condom and the elastomeric layer forms an open end, a closed end, and a tubular sheath extending from the closed end to the open end.