# Synthetic Lattices for Costume Film: When NR Is Not the Answer

Human page: https://retifist.com/literature-reviews/synthetic-lattices-nbr-cr-sbr-costume

> **Chemistry literacy.** Synthetic lattices change oil/solvent/ozone behavior and compounding rules—not a blanket “hypoallergenic NR” substitute. Allergy: no NRL proteins in synthetics; Type IV chemistry may still apply (#03).

## Executive summary

Natural rubber latex dominates hobby discourse, but **industrial costume-relevant films** also use **polychloroprene (CR)**, **nitrile (NBR)**, and **SBR** latices for oil, ozone, solvent, or modulus targets NR does not meet [^2]. **Liquid latex work** compounders choose polymer before accelerators: CR needs **≥5 phr ZnO and 2 phr antioxidant**; NBR carboxylated grades target wet-gel strength for dipped goods [^3]. Use this when a project needs oil resistance, outdoor ozone, or when NR allergy literacy pushes you toward synthetics.

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## Why synthetics enter costume film

**CR.** Polychloroprene latex combines sunlight, ozone, heat-aging, **solvent**, abrasion, flame, and barrier resistance [^4]. First major CR latex use: **oil/grease/solvent industrial gloves** [^5].

**CR compounding.** CR films require **≥5 phr ZnO and 2 phr antioxidant** fully dispersed; raise ZnO toward 15 phr for long sun/heat exposure [^6].

**NBR dipped.** Carboxylated NBR household-glove formulations prefer carboxylated latex for **wet-gel strength**; compound age causes **prevulcanization** and **mud-cracking** on dry [^7].

**Polarity.** Adhesive/substrate polarity guide: **high** = NBR, XNBR; **medium** = CR; **low** = NR, SBR [^8].

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## Sheet-based vs liquid latex synthetic note

Buying **CR/NBR sheet** (sheet-based work) requires vendor polymer disclosure. **Liquid latex work** casting from CR/NBR latices is industrial territory with factory-grade TDS.

**Allergy literacy:** synthetics lack NRL **proteins** in the Type I sense [^9]; Type IV accelerator chemistry may still apply — [Allergy and Skin Contact](/literature-reviews/allergy-and-skin-contact).

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<details>
<summary>Deep dive: CR dipped compound example (Table 2)</summary>

Vanderbilt Table 2 (Neoprene 571 dipped film): ZnO 5, antioxidant 2; coagulant-dipped, leached, dried, cured [^13]. CR is **photosensitive**; dark pigments age best outdoors [^14].

</details>

<details>
<summary>Deep dive: NBR wet-gel aging / mud-cracking</summary>

Wet-gel strength declines with compound age; mud-cracking on dry if aged [^7].

</details>

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## Endnotes

[^2]: Vanderbilt Latex Handbook, Pages 50–57.
[^3]: Polymer Latices Vol 3 — Application of Latices, Pages 211–222.
[^4]: Vanderbilt Latex Handbook, Pages 50–51.
[^5]: Vanderbilt Latex Handbook, Page 51.
[^6]: Vanderbilt Latex Handbook, Pages 51, 53.
[^7]: Polymer Latices Vol 3 — Application of Latices, Pages 221–222.
[^8]: Vanderbilt Latex Handbook, Page 226.
[^9]: NIOSH Pub. 97-135 (1997).
[^13]: Vanderbilt Latex Handbook, Pages 56–57.
[^14]: Vanderbilt Latex Handbook, Pages 53, 58.