Rubber World’s April Perspective feature Ben Chouchaoui discussing some of the more recent trends in scrap tire disposal and recycling, as well as some of the opportunities new practices are bringing to the industry.
Read Moreby Boontham Nithi-Uthai, consultant Latex foam was industrially created in 1929 by Dunlop Rubber. The latex was foamed with fatty
Read MoreA wide range of polymer materials with excellent performance and functionality has been developed in recent years to address diverse and complex material applications. Adhesives are one such example of these polymer materials. In general, adhesives are composed of a liquid substance (prepolymer) that is first used to fill in the rough surface of one substrate, and then the adhesive on the substrate is sandwiched by another substrate. Polymerization and crosslinking of the prepolymer in the adhesives are induced by heat or other external stimuli, leading to curing of the adhesives between substrates.
Read MorePatents as compiled by the editors of Rubber World Magazine for April 2025
Read MoreUnlike traditional latex gloves, the new Syntex™ gloves offer high elasticity, strong puncture and chemical resistance, and a natural-latex-like feel, all while avoiding the allergy risks associated with natural latex. Developed with an exclusive innovative formula that increases average breaking elongation through a 650% stretch, meeting the ASTM D6319 medical glove standard and offering exceptional durability and comfort.
Read MoreUnlike traditional automation that relies on predefined instructions, AI-driven systems learn, adapt and make real-time decisions through machine learning and data analysis. This shift enables businesses to handle complex, dynamic environments with greater flexibility and precision, continually improving and optimizing based on real-world conditions. AI-powered automation predicts needs, identifies inefficiencies and evolves with each interaction, facilitating faster and smarter decision-making, without human intervention.
Read MoreThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers introduce a sulfur diimide reagent that enables the installation of amine groups at specific locations in the polymer chains. This step is crucial because it sets the stage for the subsequent backbone rearrangement. This chemical reaction reorganizes the polymer backbone, breaking down the rubber into soluble amine-functionalized materials that can be used to produce epoxy resins.
The researchers showed that their two-step process works very well. In a test with a model polymer, they broke it down significantly, reducing its molecular weight from 58,100 g/mol to about 400 g/mol. When they applied the method to used rubber, it broke down completely in just six hours, turning it into a soluble material with amine groups that could be used to manufacture broadly useful materials like epoxy resins.
Read MoreHainan, China – In a groundbreaking move to tackle labor shortages in the natural rubber industry, the Chinese Academy of
Read MoreOne of the key advantages of the newly developed silicone gels from WEVO-CHEMIE GmbH is their viscosity, which is up to 50% lower than standard products available in the market. Additionally, these gels offer a range of adaptable material properties suitable for both large and relatively small volumes, tailored to meet specific component and customer requirements. Examples include the pot life and curing time necessary for efficient production, as well as the penetration hardness for optimal protection against challenging ambient conditions. For instance, the room-temperature-vulcanizing (RTV-2) silicones provide reliable moisture protection for electronic components.
Read MoreBy using magnesium oxide (MgO) as a
reinforcing filler, it is possible to
significantly reduce the curing time of
light colored silica filled compounds.
