Ziegler-Natta Catalyzed Polyisoprene Articles

Abstract

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.