Natural Latex Foam

The work presented in this paper describes an alternative compounding formulation for natural rubber (NR) latex foam. This novel formula is designed to address the environmental control and health issues typically associated with NR latex products. The NR latex foam produced was shown to have ultra-low protein allergenicity (Type I) and chemical sensitivity (Type IV). The physical properties of the NR latex foam were typical of normal NR latex foams. Images obtained by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) demonstrate that the foam has an open-cell structure. Soil burial was utilised to demonstrate the biodegradability of the foam product, and the resulting degraded area of the cell wall confirmed that natural degradation was occurring.