Studies into how heat, oxygen, ozone, water, and some organic solvents affect the physico-mechanical properties of vulcanizates prepared from blends of natural rubber (NR) and low molecular weight natural rubber (LMWNR) were investigated. Various ratios of NR and LMWNR (100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 80:20, 50:50, 25:75 10:90, 5:95, and 0:100 w/w) were mixed and labeled as mixes A to I. The physico-mechanical properties of all the vulcanizates before and after ageing in oven, oxygen, ozone, and water were measured and compared while the resistance of the vulcanizate in toluene, carbon tetrachloride, acetone, ethanol, cyclohexane, mineral oil, and brake fluid were determined in terms of swelling and solubility measurements. From the unaged results, mix A with 100% NR has the best physico-mechanical properties. After degradation, mix C with 10% LMWNR showed the best ageing resistant. Similarly, mix D with 20% LMWNR showed more resistance in most of the solvents used, and this was closely followed by mix C. The results generally have proven that LMWNR is capable of improving the ageing properties and solvent resistance of NR. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121:78-85, 2011