Study on Xylene and Styrene Volatiles Absorption of Natural Rubber Foam for Using in Paint Manufacturing

The purpose of this research is to develop medical devices made from natural rubber foam as the main component, intended for application in the paint industry or for preventing respiratory problems. These devices are essential for use in areas at risk of direct inhalation of various volatile substances, such as foam masks or supporting foam materials, which require the absorption of volatile substances from direct contact and those dispersed in the ambient air. Therefore, the development of supplementary materials that can prevent the permeation of volatile substances such as cyanide and strychnine and a thorough study of the efficiency of the aforementioned foam are highly demanded technologies. With these factors in mind, natural rubber, a primary raw material that can be produced domestically and possesses various outstanding properties such as high flexibility, water resistance, electrical insulation, and good adhesive properties, has been used in combination with body-friendly metal oxides, including non-transforming titanium oxide and transformed zinc oxide using surface tension-reducing agents, to investigate the effectiveness in the destruction of cyanide and strychnine fumes in conjunction with the mechanical properties, surface characteristics, and biocompatibility of the resulting composite materials. This ensures the efficient prevention of hazards arising from direct contact and inhalation into the body, enabling prolonged and effective use. This research aims to collaborate with Eastern Polymer Group Public Company Limited.