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 comprising:
a cis-1,4 isomer content of greater than or equal to 95% by weight to less than or equal to 97% by weight;
a trans-1,4 isomer content of 1% by weight or less; and
a 3,4 isomer content of 5% by weight or less.
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 cis-1,4 isomer content of about 96% to 97% by weight.
4 . The polymeric article of claim 1 , wherein the article has a thickness in the range of from 0.030 to 0.065 mm.
5 . The polymeric article of claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric layer comprises a post-vulcanized structure having a molecular weight between crosslinks (M c ) of less than 11,000 g/mol.
6 . 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.
7 . 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.
8 . The polymeric article of claim 7 , wherein the intra-polyisoprene particle crosslinks and inter-polyisoprene particle crosslinks comprise sulfur-crosslinks.
9 . The polymeric article of claim 1 in the form of a condom, a finger cot, or a glove.
10 . A prophylactic device 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 greater than or equal to 95% by weight to less than or equal to 97% by weight;
a trans-1,4 isomer content of 1% by weight or less; and
a 3,4 isomer content of 5% by weight or less.
11 . The prophylactic device of claim 10 in the form of a condom, wherein the elastomeric layer forms an open end, a closed end, and a tubular sheath extending from the closed end to the open end.
12 . The prophylactic device of claim 10 , wherein the elastomeric layer comprises a post-vulcanized structure having a molecular weight between crosslinks (M c ) of less than 11,000 g/mol.
13 . The prophylactic device of claim 10 , wherein the synthetic polyisoprene particles have a median particle diameter in the range of approximately from 0.2 to 1.5 micrometers.
14 . The prophylactic device of claim 10 , wherein the elastomeric layer further comprises intra-polyisoprene particle sulfur-crosslinks, and inter-polyisoprene particle sulfur-crosslinks.
15 . A method for producing a polymeric article, comprising:
disposing an elastomeric coating of a Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material comprising: a cis-1,4 isomer content of greater than or equal to 95% by weight to less than or equal to 97% by weight; a trans-1,4 isomer content of 1% by weight or less; and a 3,4 isomer content of 5% by weight or less on a former; and
curing the elastomeric coating to form an elastomeric layer of the polymeric article.
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 15 , wherein the Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material is pre-vulcanized in the presence of a pre-vulcanization composition before dipping the former, wherein the pre-vulcanization composition comprises: soluble sulfur, a dithiocarbamate accelerator, and a surfactant.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the polymeric article comprises a prophylactic device.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the elastomeric layer comprises a post-vulcanized structure having a molecular weight between crosslinks (M c ) of less than 11,000 g/mol.
20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising adding a post-vulcanization composition to the emulsion after the Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyisoprene material is pre-vulcanized, wherein the post-vulcanization composition comprises amorphous sulfur or polysulfur and an accelerator.