Some established RPA ASTM Tests are ASTM D6204, Part A, for low strain processability testing; ASTM D6204, Part B, for high strain processability testing; ASTM D6204, Part C, a variable temperature analysis for better characterization of curing properties; ASTM D6601, for in-situ curing and measurements of after-cure dynamic properties; ASTM D6048, for measuring stress relaxation of raw rubber or rubber compounds; ASTM D7050, for classifying natural rubber regarding processability; ASTM D7605, for characterizing TPEs and TPVs; and ASTM D8059, for using the Payne Effect to measure the quality of mix involving carbon black and/or silica.

Each of these methods are reviewed and compared.

Since the first discovery of ways of vulcanizing rubber for improved dimensional stability, mechanical properties and chemical resistance, sulfur continued to be analyzed to elucidate its role in the crosslinking process.

This paper is focusing on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) for an in-depth analysis of the process, with an emphasis on ZnO crystallography/surface chemistry and its influence on sulfur crosslink process.

This paper will present an overview of curatives that are more eco-friendly but still appropriate and effective for various compound applications. Specifically, the area of reducing or eliminating carcinogenic nitrosamine-generating curatives will be explored.

This paper will describe the phenomenology of the interaction of tread enhancement additives with these polymer systems and characterize the magnitude of performance improvements.

Conveyor belts are commonly used for transporting a wide variety of materials. However, market drivers are progressively demanding larger size, higher strength and total length up to several kilometers, to increase transport volume and enhance
transport efficiency.

This report summarizes new Nordel EPDM product developments for dense weatherstrip applications; an efficient Design of Experiment-based formulation approach for developing compounds with balanced processability and physical properties; and Nordel EPDM technical solutions for automotive dense weatherstrip applications.

It is a challenging task for many of the thermoset EPDM rubber product manufacturers to meet the continuing increase in CUTR requirements and other more stringent design criteria for auto parts, such as under-the-hood coolant hose, wire and cable, and others

For the rubber industry, there currently are 346 ASTM International standards and 441 ISO standards in use globally. This paper will review the scope of these ASTM International and ISO standards used throughout the rubber world, briefly comparing them by categories such as rubber processing tests, chemical tests, physical tests of vulcanizates, specifications for compounding materials and a variety of product tests including automotive products, hose and latex, among others.

Rubber dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) produces natural rubber (cis-1,4,-polyisoprene), almost identical to rubber from the tropical rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), in root latex vessels (laticifers). Cost-effective field production is not yet possible because of low rubber content, slow growth rates, poor competition with weeds and short season when crops are established by economical direct seeding instead of expensive transplants.