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.
Join RDAbbott and Dow for an exclusive Lunch n’ Learn at RDAbbott’s Service Center in Barberton, Ohio, on March 24, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (ET). This collaborative event brings together industry-leading experts and equipment partners from Sodick, Roembke, and Nexus to showcase the latest advancements in medical-grade silicone elastomers and processing technologies.
Hallstar has developed a new line of polymeric plasticizers for fluoroelastomer (FKM) compounds, a class of high-performance materials that are challenging to plasticize because of their fluorinated backbones. Plasthall® P-920 and its dry version, Suprmix® Plasthall® P-20, act as processing aids and reduce viscosity with minimal impact on tensile properties. They enhance extrusion efficiency by lowering Mooney viscosity, which reduces torque and energy consumption.
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.
Cancarb Limited has published a Technical Bulletin that describes the advantages of incorporating Thermax® Thermal Carbon Black in various formulations of polystyrene (PS) foam. The study documents the dispersion and processing benefits of Thermax® and uses similar expansion, density, open-cell content, and compression properties as the control. Adding 4 wt.% thermal black resulted in a ~ 3% reduction in thermal conductivity and a ~ 14% reduction in thermal effusivity.
This informative webinar recording explores the regulatory and toxicological considerations impacting the use of silicone materials in today’s global market. It offers a comprehensive refresher on the European Chemicals Agency’s REACH program and its implications for liquid silicone and high consistency silicone rubber materials. It also covers upcoming global regulations that may affect silicones, from formulation to processing. As medical device applications evolve, staying ahead of these regulatory changes is essential. DuPont™ Liveo™ offers a versatile portfolio of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) and high consistency rubber (HCR) materials designed to meet the stringent demands of this industry. Discover how regulatory changes may impact your silicone material choices and learn about solutions to stay compliant and innovative.
Join us for an informative webinar where we’ll explore the regulatory and toxicological considerations impacting the use of silicone materials in today’s global market. This webinar session will offer a comprehensive refresher on the European Chemicals Agency’s REACH program and its implications for liquid silicone and high consistency silicone rubber materials. We’ll also cover upcoming global regulations that may affect silicones, from formulation to processing. As medical device applications evolve, staying ahead of these regulatory changes is essential. DuPont™ Liveo™ offers a versatile portfolio of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) and high consistency rubber (HCR) materials designed to meet the stringent demands of this industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how regulatory changes may impact your silicone material choices and learn about solutions to stay compliant and innovative.
Alpha Technologies is sponsoring an interactive quiz through Rubber News about rubber raw materials. This short seven-question quiz is available through mid-July and prompts participants to answer questions about processing, polymerization, and testing. All quiz takers will receive a free digital copy of “6 Test Methods to Reduce Raw Material Variation,” an e-book from Alpha Technologies. There will also be a drawing for a Grand Prize and Second Prize during the week of July 15, 2024.
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.
Students from various Summit County high schools in Ohio recently visited RDAbbott and NovationSi for a facilities tour and overview of careers in the rubber industry. On March 21st, RDAbbott’s Service Center in Barberton, Ohio, hosted 21 students from the Industrial Maintenance and Production for Employment program at Stow-Munroe Falls High School. David Helmick, IMPE technology instructor and transitional work experience coordinator, also participated in the field trip.