| abstract |
Shaped elastomeric articles such as gloves, condoms and breather bags, are prepared from a polymer blend composition comprising about 10 to about 90 parts by weight of a chloroprene polymer and about 10 to about 90 parts by weight of a nitrile polymer, based on 100 parts by weight of total polymer. The cured article has a thickness of 0.05 to 50 mils, a tensile strength of at least 9 MPA and an elongation of at least 300 %. The article, when stretched to fit over a human body member such as a hand, exerts an initial pressure, but thereafter relaxes to exert a reduced pressure which is no less than 50 % of the initial pressure. This invention provides a blend of a polychloroprene and a nitrile polymer that yields products of equivalent or similar feel and functionality compared to the common natural rubber latex glove. These products provide equal or better feel than nitrile or vinyl gloves currently available. |