The Rubber Division announces May Learning Opportunities
Akron, OH – The Rubber Division ACS announces the following Learning Opportunities for May.
Register is now open for all upcoming trainings. Members receive $100 off of each course and free registration for all webinars.
May 8 – Webinar: Global Rubber Technology – Processes, Current Status & Future Trends
May 15 – Course: An Introduction to Continuous Vulcanization
May 21 – Webinar: Case Studies in Failure Analysis
June 2 – Course: Compounding Fluoroelastomers
June 4 – Course: Thermoplastic Elastomers – From Fundamentals to Novel Applications
June 5 – Course: Mastering Elastomer Molding – Reduce Costs & Improve Production Efficiency with Simulation
June 9 – Webinar: Strength & Endurance in Rubber
June 11 – Course: Carbon Black & Non-black Fillers
June 12 – Course: Sustainability in the Rubber Industry
June 4 – Course: Thermoplastic Elastomers – From Fundamentals to Novel Applications – Instructor: Richard J. Spontak, North Carolina State University
This course is available virtually only.
With growing global concern regarding the increasing level of solid waste due to polymeric materials and interest in material recycling, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) provide an attractive alternative to conventional elastomers. This course will introduce participants to different types and contemporary uses of TPEs, in addition to the molecular design, synthesis and characteristics of TPEs derived from block copolymers. Thermodynamic considerations regarding network formation and bridging metrics in TPEs will be addressed by experimental observations, theoretical predictions and computer simulations. Blends of TPEs and their uses in conventional and emerging applications will be described, as will the chemical functionalization of TPEs for specialized technologies (e.g., designer additives, organic photovoltaics, soft actuators, separation membranes and antimicrobial materials).
June 5 – Course: Mastering Elastomer Molding – Reduce Costs & Improve Production Efficiency with Simulation – Instructors: Paul Merda from Akron Rubber Development Laboratory, Deepika Gaddam and Eric Gerber from SIGMA Plastic Services, Inc.
This course is in-person at Akron Rubber Development Laboratory in Barberton, OH. Tour and lunch included.
Elastomer molding presents unique challenges – curing time estimation, material waste, uneven cavity filling, flash, weld lines and non-fills – all of which contribute to costly delays and inefficiencies. Traditionally, these issues are addressed through trial and error or mold redesign, increasing expenses and impacting production timelines. This session will explore how simulation technology can optimize the molding process, reduce costs and improve efficiency. Led by industry experts, this session will provide practical insights and real-world applications to help you move beyond guesswork and towards a more efficient, cost-effective, elastomer molding process.
June 12 – Course: Sustainability in the Rubber Industry – Instructor: Erick Sharp, ACE Laboratories
This course is in-person at ACE Laboratories in Ravenna, OH. A BBQ lunch and a tour of ACE Laboratories is included.
It is a technical review of sustainable raw materials for the rubber industry. This will include recycled polymers, carbon blacks, oils and green fillers. We will review where they come from, how they are produced and how you can use them. This course includes case studies analyzing many of these sustainable materials into application compounds.
Course Content: Devulcanized and Reclaim Rubber 
Devulcanized Methods Ground Tire Rubber Compounding with Devulcanized Rubber Recycled Carbon Black Processes Sustainable Carbon Black Processes Compounding with RCB Recycled & Sustainable Fillers Plant based polymers & Oils.
For more information visit https://www.rubber.org/training