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

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 (<i>N</i>-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and <i>N</i>-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.