What’s New

Alpha Technologies is offering an extension for its Premier™ Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA) that can increase safety and reduce costs. Known as “Sub-Zero Technology,” this enhancement can test compounds at temperatures as low as -25°C without the use of liquid nitrogen.

NovationSi, the manufacturing subsidiary for RDAbbott, has named Steve Hersey Plant Manager. Prior to joining NovationSi, Hersey was the General Manager for HEXPOL Compounding in Akron, Ohio. While at HEXPOL, he managed substantial volume growth over four years and sales revenue experienced exponential growth during his tenure. Hersey brings a veteran approach to silicone manufacturing as he began his HEXPOL career as a Lead Operator and later served as a Production Supervisor. He has also owned a construction business and worked as an Operations Lead for Portage Precision Polymers before it was acquired by HEXPOL.

Alpha Technologies has published a study about rubber process analyzers (RPA), viscoelastic properties, and mix quality in a recent Technical Notebook for Rubber News. Authors John Dick and Richard Hanzlik compare the relative advantages of various viscoelastic properties that an RPA can measure. This article is the first in a two-part series by the authors.

The mobility industry is rapidly transforming, driven by the accelerating adoption rate of electric vehicles and the need for more sustainable material science solutions. This 1-hour presentation introduces a new series of selective adhesion liquid silicone rubber from Dow that is targeted to improve efficiency in designing and fabricating various automotive seals.

Dow discusses the future of mobility in its “Seek Together” Podcast. Host Eva Saha is joined by Tim Boven, Dow’s Global MobilityScience™ Director, and James Barclay of the Jaguar TCS Racing Team. Barclay provides an under-the-hood look at materials science innovations from Dow that helped the racing team make history during the 2020/2021 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Alpha Technologies has published a study about measuring the quality of mixes that contain recycled rubber powders (RRP). The authors compared ASTM test standards that are designed for use with rubber process analyzers and determined which tests are most and least effective with RRPs.

RDAbbott recently hosted a webinar titled “The ABCs of RDC: Rubber Dispersion Chemicals.” This 25-minute presentation about leading products and new solutions from RDC S.r.l. was livestreamed on March 30, 2023.

Dow has published a case study that explains how its award-winning SILASTIC™ MS-4007 Moldable Silicone enabled award-winning emergency vehicle lighting. Dow’s two-part, heat-cured silicone resin is lighter than glass, resists yellowing better than plastic, and can withstand high heat and moisture while providing excellent light transmittance for optical clarity.

Dow has shared a technical presentation about how its optical silicones are advancing new LED applications in automotive lighting, sports stadium lighting, and UV drinking water purification systems. This information-rich resource examines the benefits of using SILASTIC™ Moldable Optical Silicones.

Hallstar is sharing a technical presentation about replacing phthalates with polymeric esters in vinyl foams. Researchers determined that high-quality vinyl foam can be produced using a polymeric ester plasticizer as either a partial replacement or a full replacement for DIDP, a monomeric phthalate plasticizer.