Today's News
NovationSi to supply custom colorant for Arburg Cell at MD&M West
Barberton, OH – NovationSi, RDAbbott’s manufacturing subsidiary, will supply the custom colorant for ARBURG’s injection molding cell at MD&M West
Petlas unveils the Ptx Terminal tire
Petlas Tire Corporation announces the launch of its latest innovation, the Ptx Terminal, a tire specifically engineered for port vehicles and trailers. Designed to excel under heavy loads and demanding conditions, the Ptx Terminal sets a new standard for durability, safety, and performance in port environments.
LCY earns ISCC PLUS certification
LCY Chemical Corp. has announced that its thermoplastic elastomers, polypropylene, and electronic-grade isopropyl alcohol solutions, produced at its facilities in Taiwan and Huizhou, China, have successfully achieved the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certification. This achievement underscores LCY’s commitment to meeting the demands of the global supply chain while excelling in environmental responsibility and product innovation, contributing to sustainable environmental and economic development. The company’s certified solutions offer innovative support for customers and partners while driving the development of a circular economy within the green supply chain.
American Performance Polymers heads to foreclosure
American Performance Polymers recently faced foreclosure after struggling to compete with cheaper imports of personal protective equipment (PPE) from Asia. Despite receiving $35 million in federal aid to expand production of medical gloves, the company laid off most of its 180 employees in late 2022. The company’s CEO, Rich Renehan, cited the inability to compete with lower-priced imports as a significant factor in the company’s financial difficulties.
Rubber Conversion award EcoVadis Gold Sustainability rating
Rubber Conversion announced a significant milestone in its sustainability journey—receiving the prestigious Gold Medal in the EcoVadis Sustainability Rating. This achievement places the company in the top 5% of businesses globally, surpassing 95% of companies worldwide assessed by EcoVadis in the last year.
Goodyear to pivot Danville plant to aviation tire production
Goodyear has announced a significant shift in the focus of its Danville, Virginia tire plant, as part of its global transformation plan. The company will refocus the facility on mixing and the aviation sector, moving the majority of its commercial tire production to other locations. This strategic move aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Danville plant and align it with Goodyear’s broader business objectives.
Featured Articles
Maximizing mold utilization: The case for semi-permanent release agents
By varying the microstructure of a mold coating, it is possible to influence the surface appearance of a rubber part.
Mixing
Utilization of AI driven solutions for rubber compound formulation: A practical approach
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various industrial sectors has spurred remarkable progress in the field of manufacturing process development. This concept has been extended to polymer compound formulations, where AI techniques have been used to optimize rubber formulations as well. Furthermore, it is conceivable that mixtures of other polymers, such as TPEs, thermoplastic materials or polyurethane compounds, could be similarly treated. Advantages of employing AI driven tools include reduced development time, enhanced efficiency and increased accuracy.
Chemicals and Materials
University of Virginia researchers solve a nearly 200-year-old challenge in polymers
Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new design that appears to rewrite the textbook on polymer engineering.
“We are addressing a fundamental challenge that has been thought to be impossible to solve since the invention of vulcanized rubber in 1839,” said Liheng Cai, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, and chemical engineering.
That’s when Charles Goodyear accidentally discovered that heating natural rubber with sulfur created chemical crosslinks between the strand-like rubber molecules. This crosslinking process creates a polymer network, transforming the sticky rubber, which melts and flows in the heat, into a durable, elastic material.
Ever since, it’s been believed that if you want to make a polymer network material stiff, you have to sacrifice some stretchability.
Extrusion
Enhancing extruded automotive door seals
Friction induced noise in automotive door seals is mitigated with highly durable water-based coatings having a low coefficient of friction.
Silicone & Medical
Carbice and Dow partner to enhance thermal management of electronics
Dow and Carbice have a groundbreaking partnership to offer advanced thermal interface materials for various industries, including mobility, industrial, consumer electronics, and semiconductors. Unveiled at The Battery Show North America in 2024, this partnershipopens in a new tab combines decades of Dow’s silicone expertise with aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) technology from Carbice. The collaboration supports innovation for diverse applications through thermal management solutions that are reliable, affordable, and customizable.
Oil, Gas & Energy
Advanced perfluoroelastomers: The preferred sealing solution for oil and gas
The technology for sealing has considerably advanced since it was first developed in the late 1800s. It is crucial to
Testing & Instruments
Smithers invests in simulated on-vehicle acceleration testing machine in Suzhou laboratory
Smithers has announced that it has invested in a state-of-the-art simulated on-vehicle acceleration testing (SOVAT) machine. This new testing capability was recently launched at the Smithers Suzhou, China laboratory with full machine demonstrations and tire testing training for attendees.
The SOVAT machine is the result of working with vehicle and tire manufacturers to understand their tire testing pain points. On-vehicle tire testing can be time-consuming and inconsistent, driving the need for faster, more repeatable methods for treadwear, chip and chunk, road hazard endurance, and break-in testing. With the SOVAT machine, clients now have an indoor, repeatable option to conduct this testing, providing results in a fraction of the time.
Molding
Maximizing mold utilization: The case for semi-permanent release agents
By varying the microstructure of a mold coating, it is possible to influence the surface appearance of a rubber part.
Thermoplastic Elastomers & Urethanes
Unique features of plasticizer-free soft TPU made with bio-based polyol from 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol and sebacic acid
by Shun Okura, Kunio Mayahara and Hoan Tran, Kuraray Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a multiblock copolymer that consists of a
Latex and Natural Rubber
RPI researchers named to TARDISS team studying rubber production in the U.S.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) researchers are part of a multi-institution team working to bring rubber production to the United States and better secure the supply chain for this critical material.
The team is supported through the “Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security” (TARDISS) Engineering Research Center (ERC) through the U.S. National Science Foundation. Headquartered at Ohio State University, TARDISS will receive $26 million over five years with the ability to renew for the same amount over another five years.
The December Issue of Rubber World
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This issue focuses on
Molding
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