January

ArticlesFeaturedTesting & Instruments

Using tensile strength distribution to detect undispersed filler and other crack precursors in rubber

The tensile test is one of the most common physical measurements in the rubber laboratory. Evaluating the average or median stress-strain behavior for five replicate specimens gives a quick and broad assessment of rubber mechanical properties. Tensile testing can provide even more insights into rubber formulation effects, quality of mixing, and their impact on product durability by testing more replicates to characterize the tensile strength distribution or statistical failure population. It is the aim of this article to highlight this simple and useful testing approach.

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ArticlesFeaturedTesting & Instruments

A primer on material testing rubber

The purpose of performing material testing is to ensure the
properties of the materials will meet specific requirements.
Proper testing on a material testing/force stand ensures that the
material will respond appropriately when placed under the expected
usage conditions, or meet the standards required for
product development. For rubber materials, the properties are
often found by testing the raw component before it is made into
the final product.

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ArticlesFeaturedSilicone & Medical

Tubing die reconfigures internal chambers

Guill Tool has achieved a series of successes in the areas of multi-layer dies and, most recently, a reciprocal tubing die for wound draining that reconfigures the internal chambers of the tubing to accommodate drainage. Drain tubes can be inserted prophylactically to prevent or remove the accumulation of fluid in a wound. Alternatively, such tubing can also be therapeutically inserted to evacuate an existing collection of fluid in a wound.

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