# Synergistic Effects of Nitrosamine-Safe Accelerators for Enhanced Natural Rubber Latex Balloon in Sulfur Conventional Vulcanizing System

## TL;DR

This paper explores a safe and effective vulcanization system for natural rubber latex using accelerators that avoid harmful nitrosamines while improving performance.

## Contribution

A synergistic nitrosamine-safe accelerator system is proposed for natural rubber latex vulcanization, achieving high performance and safety.

## Key findings

- A combination of ZBEC, TBzTD, and ZDEC achieved superior tensile strength and thermal stability.
- The formulation met safety standards by staying below detectable levels of harmful nitrosamines.
- The system offers an environmentally responsible alternative for natural rubber latex products.

## Abstract

The vulcanization of natural rubber latex (NRL) relies on accelerators to achieve effective crosslinking by a sulfur conventional vulcanizing system and desirable properties such as tensile strength and elasticity. This study investigates the synergistic effects of carcinogenic nitrosamine-safe accelerators to develop a high-performance and safe NRL vulcanization system. A synergistic combination of 0.36 phr Zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate (ZBEC), 0.36 phr Tetrabenzylthiuram disulfide (TBzTD), and a trace amount of Zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), 0.03 phr, demonstrated optimal performance, yielding superior tensile strength (22.13 MPa), elongation at break (1153%), and thermal stability (Tmax 384.15 °C). Notably, this formulation exhibited below the detectable level limits of hazardous nitrosamines (N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA)). The synergistic nitrosamine-safe accelerator system offers a promising strategy for producing environmentally responsible and consumer-safe NRL products with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties.