TLARGI Oktoberfest and Technical Conference (October 3)
July 5, 2023
The Los Angeles Rubber Group, Inc. (TLARGI) will be hosting its annual Technical Conference, Oktoberfest and Mini Expo on Tuesday, October 3, at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel in Buena Park, California.
Event Overview
The Technical Conference will begin at 1:30 PM and will feature new projects, materials, equipment, and general advances in the local rubber industry. Here’s a list of the current technical presenters:
- Cristina DiFranco, Engineer with Parker Lord, will discuss Rubber-to-Metal Bonding (See additional details below.)
- Ye Lyu, USC Scholarship Recipient and PhD Candidate trained in petroleum engineering
- Alexandra Rinehart, Manager of Product Steward and Regulatory for Shin-Etsu Silicones, will discuss PFAS
- Tony Ackerman, Regional Sales Engineer for DESMA USA, Inc., will discuss Innovation in Molding
- A representative from PPG Industries, Inc. will discuss Industrial Silicas
The Oktoberfest and Mini Expo will start at 5:00 PM. If you’re able to attend, be sure to swing by our table for some fun giveaways. Then, while you’re there, we’d be happy to share about the latest material advancements and technologies available from RDAbbott and its industry-leading supplier partners.
Featured Presentation: Commitment to a Green Industry: New Generation of Water-Based Chemlok®
Parker Lord, one of our valued supplier partners, will also be sending Application Engineer Cristina DiFranco to highlight its commitment to a green industry during TLARGI’s Technical Conference. Here’s a quick summary of Cristina’s abstract and bio:
Abstract: Solvent-based adhesive systems have been integral for the manufacturing of rubber-to-metal bonded components since commercialization in the 1950s. Due to government-driven regulatory volatile organic compound (VOC) restrictions and company-driven sustainability initiatives, the demand for aqueous adhesive systems with robust industrial and automotive performance has significantly increased. Recent breakthroughs in polymer film-forming technologies and the development of novel chemistries are enabling aqueous adhesive systems to meet the high standards set by solvent systems and the increasing requirements of environmental performance. At Parker Lord, our main focus is protecting the environment while providing high superior bonding performance. Chemlok® aqueous adhesives are products that reduce VOCs and carbon footprint. Parker Lord has responded to industry needs by developing a water-based, one-coat adhesive that has nearly zero VOCs and a longer shelf life—with the same level of performance as current solvent-based adhesives. This presentation will focus on aqueous adhesive developments, including a new product Chemlok® 8566 —from where it is used to
apply the material for production applications.
Cristina DiFranco is an Application Engineer for Chemlok® adhesives at Parker Lord based in Erie, PA. Her role is focused on working with customers to troubleshoot bond failures, optimize bonding processes, and select suitable adhesive products for rubber-to-substrate applications. She leads customer training sessions several times a year for the Chemlok® Academy held on-site in Erie. She graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a concentration in Polymer Science. Her passion is helping customers implement adhesive solutions to create innovative products.
