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Medical rubber tubing process and die optimization: Die redesign and fine tuning

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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.

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ArticlesFeaturedMachinery & Equipment

Improving profitability through innovative technologies and processes

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Performance material usage is increasing in the manufacture of tires. These materials are composed of various additives with different properties that require a high level of expertise to maintain their properties throughout the production process and to deliver the desired, consistently high level of required quality. This is just one aspect that increases complexity in the manufacturing process. Market demands for more cost-effective products are also constantly increasing. Operating costs eserve special attention because process optimization is paramount on every manufacturer՚s agenda. Specialty chemicals group Evonik Industries and plant automation supplier Zeppelin Systems are working closely together to show how the use of innovative products and processes can both improve the performance properties of tires, while making their manufacture even more economical.

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ArticlesFeaturedSilicone & Medical

Silicone and epoxy hybrid resins exhibit wide range of mechanical properties

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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.

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Progress in bio-based itaconate butadiene rubber

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Bio-based itaconate butadiene rubber has been introduced by the Beijing University of Chemical Technology. This project was researched by professor Liqun Zhang’s team at the university. They started the research in 2008. After 13 years of hard work, a new generation of high performance and bio-based itaconate butadiene rubber has been successfully developed. Epoxy group functionalized poly(dibutyl itaconate-co-butadiene- glycidyl methacrylate) (PDBIBG) is the first class of macromolecular chain structures based on an itaconic acid resource which can realize the high value-added utilization of biomass resources and promote green and sustainable development within the rubber industry.

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ArticlesFeaturedThermoplastic Elastomers & Urethanes

HeatBoss EPDM: High heat resistant EPDM promising for SAE J200 applications

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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

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ArticlesFeaturedSilicone & Medical

Part design simulations for silicone rubber components

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The successful design of medical device components is increasingly dependent on simulations based on finite element analysis (FEA). Simulations provide a rapid and cost-effective way to determine optimal construction of multi-component systems, as well as information on how components interact with each other during use. Investing in accurate, early design simulations can provide significant resource savings by decreasing the amount of iterative loops necessary in the prototype process to validate the overall device design for FDA or other governing body approvals.

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ArticlesAutomotive Elastomers & PartFeaturedOil, Gas & Energy

Seals prevent bearing damage in EVs

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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.

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