Today’s News
Global isoprene rubber market forecast at $1.9 billion by 2026
The global isoprene rubber market is estimated to be valued at $1.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $1.9 billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 3.5 percent, according to the latest report from Global Market Estimates. Isoprene rubber is a necessary component in a wide spectrum of application domains to meet the consistent demand protrusions in the end-use industries. Rubber, both natural and synthetic, is extensively used in a variety of industrial applications for improved machinery and device longevity, in addition to serving as a protective liner for numerous corrosive environment and abrasive wear susceptible components. The item is a high-end industry constituent that has been powering a variety of commercial implementations. Such rubber is analogous to natural rubber and can be produced inevitably as well as synthetically.
Nokian Tyres officially expands to 24/7 production at Dayton, Tennessee, factory
Nokian Tyres has added a fourth production shift at its North American factory in Dayton, TN, and is now producing tires around the clock at the state-of-the-art facility it opened in 2019. The production milestone coincides with another major achievement at the Dayton factory: ISO 14001 certification, which validates Nokian Tyres’ strict environmental standards at the facility. “ISO 14001 certification is another testament to the fact that we are one of the most sustainable tire manufacturers in the world,” said Dayton factory environmental, health and safety manager, Darren Bakkestuen. “It’s pretty rare that we got through the assessment without any major findings.”
USTMA and University of Missouri release findings on use of rubber modified asphalt
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), in partnership with the University of Missouri and The Ray, a nonprofit proving ground for sustainable transportation technologies, published a state of knowledge report that assessed existing research on the economic, performance and environmental benefits of using ground tire rubber (GTR) in asphalt. The report finds that rubber modified asphalt is a resilient pavement solution to rebuild America’s roadways and a promising sustainable and circular end-of-life market for scrap tires. The report also provides recommendations for additional research to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the technology’s impact.
3D Printing composites will be a $2 billion industry within the next decade
3D printing of fiber-reinforced polymers is rapidly approaching a commercial tipping point. This is quickly becoming one of the most exciting and impactful areas of 3D printing; over the next decade the market will grow to $2 billion, the installed base and applications will expand, and technology will continue to mature, according to IDTechEx. This growth will not be without challenges; there are barriers to adoption to be overcome in multiple sectors, supply chains and digital infrastructures to be established, and an inevitable consolidation in the number of manufacturers.
Global medical tubing market forecast at $13.7 billion by 2026
The global medical tubing market was valued at $8,418 million in 2019 and is expected to reach $1,3770 million by the end of 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.2 percent during 2021-2026, according to Valuates Reports.
Roemheld Group to present coordinated concept for die and mold handling at Fakuma 2021
The Roemheld Group will present a coordinated concept for the efficient change and handling of dies or molds throughout the entire process chain for the first time at the Fakuma 2021. Dies or molds can be handled easily, quickly and safely from removal to transport up to positioning and clamping on the machine.
Bridgestone announces Movin’On Challenge Design theme: “Delivered”
One of the premier global mobility design competitions has announced its theme for 2022. Entering its 22nd year, Movin’On Challenge Design, formerly Michelin Challenge Design, is a competition driven by Movin’On, the leading co-innovation ecosystem for sustainable mobility.
Featured Articles
Medical rubber tubing process and die optimization: Die redesign and fine tuning
Part 1 of this contribution, published in the May 2021 edition of Rubber World, investigated a real manufacturer’s process that was set to produce medical tubing. It was found (through trials at the extruder, then through simulations) that the equipment available to the manufacturer was too large for the relatively low output that was required for this project, and consequently the polymer was degrading on the screw surface. It was ultimately determined through simulation that a smaller extruder, with a screw optimized for the low rate, would work better.
Mixing
Keltan 2470E EPDM Grade for Excellent Electrical Performance in Wire and Cable
Ethylene propylene diene polymers (EPDM) are the most widely used rubbers in the range of available synthetic rubbers for non-tire applications. Due to the unsaturated backbone, EPDM can be employed in various applications in which characteristics such as resistance to ozone, heat and moisture, flexibility at low temperatures, a wide range of tensile strength and hardness levels, and excellent electrical insulating properties are important
Extrusion
Medical rubber tubing process and die optimization: Die redesign and fine tuning
Part 1 of this contribution, published in the May 2021 edition of Rubber World, investigated a real manufacturer’s process that was set to produce medical tubing. It was found (through trials at the extruder, then through simulations) that the equipment available to the manufacturer was too large for the relatively low output that was required for this project, and consequently the polymer was degrading on the screw surface. It was ultimately determined through simulation that a smaller extruder, with a screw optimized for the low rate, would work better.
Silicone
Silicone and epoxy hybrid resins exhibit wide range of mechanical properties
The largest range of silicone and epoxy hybrid resins for the 3D printing of wearable devices, biomedical equipment and soft robotics has been developed by researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). In a study published in Applied Materials Today, the range of tunable functionally graded materials, which displayed over five orders of magnitude of elastic modulus, demonstrated excellent interfacial toughness, higher precision in complex structures and better fabrication control for the integration of mechatronic components.
Oil, Gas & Energy
Seals prevent bearing damage in EVs
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies’ new generation electrically conductive seals prevent bearing damage caused by electrically induced corrosion, and also increase electromagnetic compatibility. Electric cars with drive systems that operate at 800 volts instead of the usual 400 can recharge in just 15 minutes, and produce enough power to drive several hundred kilometers. The power semiconductors in the inverter ensure that the direct current stored in the battery is converted into the alternating current required by the electric motor while driving. These power electronics are often positioned directly above the electric motor, and are also known as electric engine injection systems.
Testing & Instruments
Smithers adds high load universal testing machine to Akron testing laboratory
Smithers announces the addition of an Instron 5985 universal testing system to its materials physical testing laboratory in Akron, OH.
The machine offers expanded testing capabilities and parameters for tensile, compression, bend, peel, shear, tear and cyclic tests. Its high-force load frame has a load capacity up to 250 kN and vertical test space of 1,430 millimeters (56.3 inches).
Molding
SmartFlow analysis optimizes silicone and rubber tooling design
Mold design processes today benefit from sophisticated
design software that creates 3D models easily exported to
manufacturing, CAM programming and metal cutting
Thermoplastic Elastomers & Urethanes
HeatBoss EPDM: High heat resistant EPDM promising for SAE J200 applications
In modern cars, the space for the engine compartment is continuously shrinking for both functional and aesthetic reasons. Increasing vehicle compactness by reducing the space available for design engineers results in hotter engine components which restrict the rubber materials that can be used. This has boosted a fast growing demand in the rubber industry for elastomer parts with durability and increased resistance to temperature extremes. Among elastomers, silicone elastomers and fluoroelastomers show very effective heat resistance resulting from the strong Si-O and C-F bonds present in their chemical structure. However, the main drawbacks are their high price and high processing cost that make compounding, molding and final production very expensive
Latex and Natural Rubber
Selection and use of water based dispersions in latex
ack and take a broader view of that industry, it can be viewed as a three-legged stool with three key elements: process/machinery, latex and chemical dispersions. These elements work in concert to provide a baseline for eventual success. This article will discuss the third element: dispersions.
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