Tagged: Aerospace

Join us April 28 – 29, 2026, in Barberton, Ohio, for Organic Elastomers 360°, a multifaceted training event where you’ll learn how to examine the performance of organic elastomers from every angle. This hands-on event is hosted by RDAbbott in collaboration with Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL) and features expert contributions from companies across the rubber industry.

Donald Alstadt, inventor of the Chemlok® Rubber-to-Metal Adhesive System, has been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame as part of its 2026 class. Alstadt, a chemist at LORD Corporation (now Parker Lord), patented this solvent-borne adhesive technology in 1956. His former schoolmate, RDAbbott’s Carl Hoglund, helped commercialize Chemlok.

On Thursday, October 23, 2025, RDAbbott hosted a webinar about Dow SILASTIC™ HCRs. During this 53-minute presentation, Jake Steinbrecher and Dave Armstrong of Dow explore how custom SILASTIC™ HCR silicone solutions can be engineered to solve real-world challenges—enabling safer, more efficient, and longer-lasting products.

RDAbbott is hosting a free webinar featuring Dow SILASTIC™ silicone HCRs on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (ET). Jake Steinbrecher and Dave Armstrong of Dow Performance Silicones will be our presenters. Join us as we explore how custom SILASTIC™ HCR silicone solutions can be engineered to solve real-world challenges—enabling safer, more efficient, and longer-lasting products.

Join us August 26 – 28, 2025, in Barberton, Ohio, for “Manufacturing with Silicone Rubber,” a comprehensive workshop hosted by RDAbbott from a fabricator’s point-of-view. There’s also an optional training opportunity on August 29 for one-on-one discussions with instructors and deeper dives into process development.

RDAbbott recently hired Cristina DiFranco and Brittany Ploep as Account Managers. Cristina is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and serves the Northeastern United States. Brittany will be based in and serve the Southeastern United States. As RDAbbott Account Managers, they will build relationships, foster growth, provide technical support, communicate with suppliers, and provide the best overall solutions for customers in their respective regions.

Join us August 27 – 30 in Barberton, Ohio, for “Manufacturing with Silicone Rubber,” a comprehensive workshop hosted by RDAbbott from a fabricator’s point-of-view. Attendees of this four-day workshop will learn practical techniques, testing methods, and insights, plus equipment troubleshooting tips for processing silicone rubber from industry professionals through a combination of classroom instruction and interactive workshops.

Christopher Windiate, a Lead Technical Service & Development Specialist for Dow, will present “Silicones for the Emerging Space Ecosystem” at Space Tech Expo USA on Wednesday, May 15, at 10 AM (PT) in Long Beach, California.

Our company was founded on December 14, 1948, by Robert David Abbott, a Southern California entrepreneur with a passion for education and the local rubber industry. RDAbbott has evolved from a regional distributor into a multi-faceted supplier that innovates across distribution, materials science, process engineering, and product customization. In honor of our 75th anniversary, we’ve prepared a special video that encapsulates pivotal milestones in our company’s history and distinguishing hallmarks of our corporate culture.

RDAbbott is celebrating its 75th anniversary and launching a year-long campaign called 75 Acts of Kindness that will give back to its communities, industries, and employees. The company was founded on December 14, 1948, by Robert David Abbott, a Southern California entrepreneur with a passion for education and the local rubber industry. RDAbbott has evolved from a regional distributor into a multi-faceted supplier that innovates across distribution, materials science, process engineering, and product customization. Yet it remains true to its roots of putting people ahead of profit.