Transmission electron microscopy
provided direct evidence of
the morphology of sulphur- and
peroxide-prevulcanised natural rubber
latex particles. A mesh structure
of all cross-linked rubber particles
containing polystyrene, prepared
using the phase-transfer/bulk polymerisation
process, was found. Each
peroxide-prevulcanised particle had
a nonuniform network structure,
whereas the rubber network in
sulphur-prevulcanised particles was
homogeneous, irrespective of size.
The effects of maturation and sodium
dodecyl sulphate on the swelling
ratio of the sulphur-prevulcanised
latex film were investigated.