Sciencemadness Discussion Board

What happens when latex rubber reacts with oil?

wackyvorlon - 9-2-2009 at 13:16

It's commonly mentioned that latex rubber is attacked by oil, including skin oils. I was wondering, what is the specific chemistry that is going on when this happens?

PHILOU Zrealone - 10-2-2009 at 03:55

It simply dissoves!;)
No chemical reaction

DrP - 10-2-2009 at 06:37

I guess it depends on the level of cross linking in the rubber though. If highly cross-linked then rather than disolving it will soften as the oil molecules work their way into the rubber structure. Old hard cracked rubber can be re-vitalised a bit by rubbing in some oil.