Strain-induced crystallization of natural rubber: Effect of proteins and phospholipids

The effects of proteins and phospholipids in natural rubber (NR) on the strain-induced crystallization behavior during uniaxial deformation were studied by in-situ synchrotron wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) technique and simultaneous measurements of stress-strain relation. The influences of proteins and phospholipids in NR were evaluated separately by decomposition methods using deproteinization and lipase treatment, respectively. It was found that both components form a naturally occurring network, which is responsible for the strain-induced crystallizability of unvulcanized NR and the corresponding high mechanical property. This network also plays a significant role in strain-induced crystallization of vulcanized natural rubber.