COURSE OVERVIEW

•  The introduction to the course includes the history of rubber and rubber applications

• Various polymers are discussed including:

  • Natural Rubber, Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), Polyisoprene, Polybutadiene, Nitrile (NBR), Hydrogenated Nitrile (HNBR), Polyacrylate (PA), Epichlorohydrin (ECO), Hypalon (CSM), Vamac (AEM), Neoprene (CR), EPDM, Butyl, Fluoroelastomer (FKM), Urethane, Silicone (VMQ), and Thermoplastic Elastomers.

• Additional topics include:

  • Ingredients necessary for formulating a rubber compound such as antioxidants, antiozonants, black and non-black fillers, plasticizers, softeners, oils, accelerators and curing agents

  • The mixing process and equipment

  • Methods of handling a variety of compounds

  • Methods of forming a rubber part including molding, extrusion and calendering

  • Rubber to metal bonding

  • Test methods, test instruments, quality control and rubber specifications

  • Tours of

    • Compounding and mixing facilities

    • Physical testing laboratory

    • Analytical testing laboratory

  • Students will receive hard copies of presentations, digital media copies (Data CD or Flash Drive) and two books about rubber technology.

    • "Basic Elastomer Technology" by Krishna Baranwal & Howard Stephens

    • The Vanderbilt Handbook

    • Any literature from the speakers

• Continental breakfast and lunch is provided for all registrants as part of the registration fee.  However, on Wednesday, March, 21st, after our first day of lectures, the CRG Education Committee will sponsor a Social Get-Together.  This is new for the 2012 course, and will give everyone attending a chance to meet the other students, speakers, and Education Committee members outside of the classroom setting.  Food and refreshments will be included at this function, but all other evening meals during the course are the responsibility of the individual, and are not included with the registration fee.

REGISTRATION

The class will be limited to a maximum of 35. There must be a minimum of 20 attendees in order to hold the class. If there are not enough people that signup by the deadline date (Typically Mid-February of the Course year), the course will be cancelled. In the event of cancellation, your registration fee will be promptly returned.