January

ArticlesFeatured

Takeaways from a half century in the latex industry

I retired recently, but still feel contributive and expect to be so for quite a while. The expression, “If you enjoy what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” sums up what I believe. It helps to have a positive attitude, as well. This attitude provides resilience and sustainability in the face of uncertain outcomes. After more than 50 years in the latex industry, I would like to share a few of my takeaways from those years.

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ArticlesFeaturedTesting & Instruments

How to increase throughput when testing elastomers

When elastomers are being used in a manufacturing process, it is important to verify their physical properties by performing testing
at all stages of production. When researching and developing new elastomers, such as those used in tires, extensive testing is required to verify and validate each elastomeric compound. Research and development facilities for elastomeric materials will sometimes go through hundreds or thousands of specimens before moving on toward production. During production, testing is typically performed for quality control purposes

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ArticlesFeaturedTesting & Instruments

Application of advanced gel permeation chromatography to the characterization of styrenic copolymers

Products produced by anionic polymerization of nonpolar monomers, such as polybutadienes (BR), polyisoprenes (IR), solution styrene butadiene rubbers (SSBR) and styrenic block copolymers (SBC), already dominate important positions in industries. Examples include thermoplastic elastomers, adhesives, impact modifiers, lubricant modifiers, vulcanized compounds, asphalt modification and others. SBCs combine the properties of a thermoplastic resin, polystyrene and those of an elastomer, polybutadiene, polyisoprene or poly(ethylene-co-butylene). SBCs derive their useful properties from their ability to form distinct styrene (hard phase) and diene (rubber phase) domains

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