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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260716T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260716T170000
DTSTAMP:20260530T171543
CREATED:20251120T201007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T194628Z
UID:2028-1784206800-1784221200@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Antidegradant Chemistry\, Testing & Aging
DESCRIPTION:July 16\, 2026; 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET \nCEUs: 0.38 (To receive the CEUs\, attendees must attend the course and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.) \nLocation: This course is available virtually only. It can be taken from the comfort of your home or office – remotely from any tablet\, laptop or computer. \nCourse Overview: The course addresses antidegradant use\, chemistry\, testing and types of aging used in the rubber industry today. A review of the chemistry of oxidation\, ozonolysis and UV exposure which applies to not only rubber but many engineering materials currently in use. The types of antidegradants used in rubber will be explored in relation to the different polymers available for thermosets. Most things have a shelf-life and rubber products are no different; a discussion of the persistence of antidegradants will assist in determining a rubber article’s service life. The course will finish with some antidegradant comparisons in various rubber formulas to see how these affect properties of the rubber compounds and their aging. \nTopics covered will include: \n\nAging of polymers and the test methods used in industry\nOxidation\, Ozonolysis chemistry\nTypes of anti-degradants and their uses in polymer manufacturing\nCure systems effect on aging\n\nPrice: $395 Members / $495 Non-members / $50 for Graduate Student Members / Free for Emeritus\, Life & Undergraduate Student Members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Paul Merda\, Akron Rubber Development Laboratory \nBio: Paul Merda is the Education Coordinator & Technical Advisor at ARDL. He has previous experience as a Lab Technician\, Polymer Adhesives Chemist & High School Science Teacher with 18 years in industry and 13 teaching. \nAbout ARDL: Akron Rubber Development Laboratory\, Inc. (ARDL) is an internationally recognized independent testing laboratory specializing in rubber\, plastic\, and latex materials. With over six decades of experience\, ARDL offers comprehensive services including material testing\, product development\, process optimization\, and failure analysis. Their state-of-the-art facilities and expert team provide solutions across various industries such as automotive\, aerospace\, medical\, and industrial applications. ARDL is committed to advancing innovation and ensuring quality in polymer products\, making them a trusted partner for companies seeking reliable and accurate testing services.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/course-antidegradant-chemistry-testing-aging/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260805T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260805T170000
DTSTAMP:20260530T171543
CREATED:20260528T205226Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260528T210356Z
UID:2277-1785920400-1785949200@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Sponge Rubber 101
DESCRIPTION:August 5\, 2026; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET \nCEUs: 0.66 (To receive the CEUs\, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.) \nLocation: This course is available virtually only. It can be taken from the comfort of your home or office – remotely from any tablet\, laptop or computer. \nCourse Overview: This course was developed for those who currently make flexible cellular elastomer products and wish to expand their knowledge or students wanting to gain insights into these materials and how they can be used. This course will offer an overview of cellular material’s terminology\, potential applications\, economics\, specifications\, raw materials and compound construction. Additionally\, there will be a review of the various processes used to produce cellular elastomer products\, including mixing\, various types of extrusion and molding. \nThis discussion will offer helpful tips\, the dos and the don’ts of producing cellular elastomer products that can be applied by the participants in real world applications of their own. The course will not contain content about cellular thermoplastic rubber or foamed products. The course will include opportunities for questions and answers or follow-up with the instructor. \n“The Sponge Rubber 101 course helped me gain an understanding of compounding to manufacturing of open cell elastomers for downhole tool applications. The instructor showed extensive experience and solid knowledge on this topic. I really benefitted from this course!” – Xiaohong Ren \nPrice: $745 Members / $845 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 Other Student Members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Richard D. Strong\, President\, Elastomeric Consulting Services LLC \nBio: \nRichard Strong is currently President and CEO of Elastomeric Consulting Services. He is a 1971 graduate of the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth where he received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and was awarded the Fred E. Busby award for outstanding work in Chemistry. \nStrong has over 50 years of experience in various aspects of rubber technology and has served as Chief Technical Officer for over 30 years of his career. His background includes raw material sourcing\, compound design\, processing and testing with organic elastomers and silicone\, including cellular rubber. He has broad expertise in process development\, documentation\, control and troubleshooting\, in addition to extensive experience in the review and analysis of test data from rubber compounds. \nStrong’s consulting business has been conducted both domestically and internationally. It includes development and presentation of educational programs for individual companies and for professional organizations\, colleges and universities. He also does hands on work with production companies to achieve improvements in their compounds and production processes. In addition\, he works with raw material suppliers to teach them how their products might be used in the rubber industry. \nIn March 2019\, his book Sponge Rubber\, An Introduction to Cellular Rubber was published by TechnoBiz as a companion reference for the course he also presents of the same name for the Rubber Division\, ACS and Akron Polymer Technical Services. He has also developed and presented two other courses\, An Introduction to Continuous Vulcanization and Rubber Extrusion Technology for these organizations. Strong developed a course on Sponge Rubber in cooperation with the University of Akron and the High Institute for Elastomer Industries to be presented in Saudi Arabia. He has recorded a four-segment video course on cellular rubber for Techno Biz. \nStrong is married (Roberta) and resides in Northeast Ohio. He has a daughter and a stepson and stepdaughter\, plus 3 grandchildren. In his spare time\, he enjoys walking\, reading\, working with his wife in their flower beds/gardens and fostering senior rescue dogs.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/course-sponge-rubber-101-2/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260915T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260915T140000
DTSTAMP:20260530T171543
CREATED:20260323T130902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T130902Z
UID:2237-1789462800-1789480800@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Processing & Testing of Rubber
DESCRIPTION:September 15\, 2026; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET including a tour of Akron Rubber Development Laboratory \nCEUs: 0.38 (To receive the CEUs\, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.) \nLocation:  This course is in-person at Akron Rubber Development Laboratory – 75 E. Robinson Ave.\, Barberton\, OH 44203. \nThis course is being held in conjunction with the Ohio Rubber Group Technical Meeting and is FREE for Ohio Rubber Group members. You can become an ORG member\, learn about and purchase the Ohio Rubber Group Technical Meeting separately here: https://www.ohiorubbergroup.org/event/fall-technical-meeting-2026/ \nCourse Overview: This half-day course will give an in-depth look at mixing\, testing and vulcanizing of rubber. \nTopics Covered: \n\nIncoming raw material inspection\nKey characteristics for certain raw materials\nMixing rubber: rotor types\, batch sizing\, 1-pass vs. 2-pass\, conventional vs. upside down mixing\, raw materials that require special attention during mixing\, common mixing and milling problems\, and batch take-off.\nTesting for quality control: rheology\, Mooney\, durometer\, unaged physical properties\, specific gravity\, and dispersion testing.\nVulcanization of rubber: molding\, extrusion\, steam cure.\n\nAll registration fees will be used to sponsor students to attend the 2026 Global Polymer Summit in Louisville\, KY. \nPrice: $495 Member / $595 Non-member / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 for Other Student Members\n*Ohio Rubber Group members receive this course for FREE. \nAlready a member? Ohio Rubber Group will provide you with a discount code.  \nNot a member? Email hmaimone@rubber.org to join. \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Paul Merda\, ARDL \nBio: Paul Merda is the Education Coordinator & Technical Advisor at ARDL. He has previous experience as a Lab Technician\, Polymer Adhesives Chemist & High School Science Teacher with 18 years in industry and 13 teaching. \nAbout ARDL: Akron Rubber Development Laboratory\, Inc. (ARDL) is an internationally recognized independent testing laboratory specializing in rubber\, plastic\, and latex materials. With over six decades of experience\, ARDL offers comprehensive services including material testing\, product development\, process optimization\, and failure analysis. Their state-of-the-art facilities and expert team provide solutions across various industries such as automotive\, aerospace\, medical\, and industrial applications. ARDL is committed to advancing innovation and ensuring quality in polymer products\, making them a trusted partner for companies seeking reliable and accurate testing services.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/course-processing-testing-of-rubber/
LOCATION:Akron Rubber Development Laboratory\, 75 E. Robinson Ave.\, Barberton\, OH\, 44203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261028T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261028T170000
DTSTAMP:20260530T171543
CREATED:20260528T205449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260528T210428Z
UID:2278-1793178000-1793206800@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: An Introduction to Continuous Vulcanization
DESCRIPTION:October 28\, 2026; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET \nCEUs: 0.66 (To receive the CEUs\, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.) \nLocation: This course is available virtually only. It can be taken from the comfort of your home or office – remotely from any tablet\, laptop or computer. \nCourse Overview: This course was developed for rubber industry employees who currently use Continuous Vulcanization (CV) processes and wish to expand their knowledge or those who wish to gain insights into these processes and how they can be used. \nThis course will offer an overview of the variety of commercially viable Continuous Vulcanization processes and their strengths and weaknesses. Following that\, it will take the participants into a more in-depth study of the three most common forms of CV\, Liquid Curing Media (LCM)\, better known as the Salt Bath process\, Hot Air Vulcanization (HAV) and Microwave/Hot Air Vulcanization. The emphasis will be on practical knowledge that can be utilized in production along with safety concerns that always need to be addressed. \nWe will begin by looking at the common elements to all three processes\, namely the extruder and its auxiliary components\, plus downstream equipment for cooling and pulling. The course then will look at each of the three CV processes individually\, giving useful ideas for process improvements that the participants can apply in their own manufacturing. The course will conclude with a brief look at rubber compound development for these CV processes and will conclude with a question and answer session. \nPrice: $745 Members / $845 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 Other Student Members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Richard D. Strong\, President\, Elastomeric Consulting Services LLC \nBio: \nRichard Strong is currently President and CEO of Elastomeric Consulting Services. He is a 1971 graduate of the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth where he received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and was awarded the Fred E. Busby award for outstanding work in Chemistry. \nStrong has over 50 years of experience in various aspects of rubber technology and has served as Chief Technical Officer for over 30 years of his career. His background includes raw material sourcing\, compound design\, processing and testing with organic elastomers and silicone\, including cellular rubber. He has broad expertise in process development\, documentation\, control and troubleshooting\, in addition to extensive experience in the review and analysis of test data from rubber compounds. \nStrong’s consulting business has been conducted both domestically and internationally. It includes development and presentation of educational programs for individual companies and for professional organizations\, colleges and universities. He also does hands on work with production companies to achieve improvements in their compounds and production processes. In addition\, he works with raw material suppliers to teach them how their products might be used in the rubber industry. \nIn March 2019\, his book Sponge Rubber\, An Introduction to Cellular Rubber was published by TechnoBiz as a companion reference for the course he also presents of the same name for the Rubber Division\, ACS and Akron Polymer Technical Services. He has also developed and presented two other courses\, An Introduction to Continuous Vulcanization and Rubber Extrusion Technology for these organizations. Strong developed a course on Sponge Rubber in cooperation with the University of Akron and the High Institute for Elastomer Industries to be presented in Saudi Arabia. He has recorded a four-segment video course on cellular rubber for Techno Biz. \nStrong is married (Roberta) and resides in Northeast Ohio. He has a daughter and a stepson and stepdaughter\, plus 3 grandchildren. In his spare time\, he enjoys walking\, reading\, working with his wife in their flower beds/gardens and fostering senior rescue dogs.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/course-an-introduction-to-continuous-vulcanization/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261105T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261105T150000
DTSTAMP:20260530T171543
CREATED:20260211T204303Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T204303Z
UID:2212-1793883600-1793890800@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Rubber Industry Supply Chains
DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, November 5\, 2026; 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET \nWebinar Overview: Traditionally\, rubber industry supply chain actions are conducted by purchasing\, whereas RD\, engineering and customer service functions do not participate.  Meanwhile\, modern complexity of the rubber industry and its entangled global supply chains make our products vulnerable to the current volatility of political situations and economics. Disruptions of supply chains reverberate all the way down to rubber manufacturing and to customers\, and it could bring major national industries to standstill. \nWebinar Objective: The objective of this course is to promote awareness of supply chains effects on rubber processes\, quality of products and final costs. Based on her personal experience as a chemist\, plant engineer\, manager and global consultant working for the rubber industry and in academia in the USA\, Europe and Asia\, the instructor will review risks and pathways to ensure supply chains resilience\, manufacturing flexibility and cost control. \nWebinar Content: \n\nSupply chains components and functions\nSignificance of rubber products for the national economy\nRubber industry raw materials: types\, functions and sources\nSupply chain management:\n\nRisk management\nRaw materials multi-sourcing\nInventories resilience\nManagement of change: objectives\, layout and costs\n\n\n\nTo achieve production cost efficiency and rubber product quality\, the supply chain management team must include purchasing\, engineering and technical departments of committed and educated professionals. \nWho should attend:  Purchasing agents\, chemists\, product and process engineers\, quality professionals and managers will find this course useful. Participation of teams\, including purchasing\, engineering\, chemical\, processing\, quality and marketing/sales functions is encouraged. \nPrice: Free for Members / $149 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Dr. Irene Yurovska \nIrene Yurovska was born and raised in Moscow\, Russia. After completing her BS in Chemistry\, MS in Chemical Engineering (Rubber Technology) and PhD in Physical Chemistry of Polymers\, she worked as a scientist for the Rubber Industry Institute and for the Institute of Aircraft Technology in Moscow. \nIrene moved with her family to the US in 1991. For ten years\, she lived in Rhode Island\, working as a plant rubber chemist for Teknor Apex and completing her MBA in Bryant University. Irene moved to Massachusetts to be employed for 14 years as a scientist\, technical service and applications specialist by Cabot Corporation in Billerica\, MA. In 2016-2017\, Dr. Yurovska worked as a Global Innovation Market Development Manager for Addivant Corporation (now SI Group) in CT. \nCurrently\, after completing the long and successful career as a global rubber industry professional; having hands-on experience with rubber compounding\, processing and technical service\, and with carbon black and antioxidants manufacturing and properties\, Dr. Irene Yurovska lives in TX\, recently being employed in India as VP of Himadri Specialty Chemicals (technical service in carbon black for rubbers) and currently developing a private consulting business for the global rubber industry. \nHer scientific interests include relationships between individual characteristics of ingredients and application properties of rubber products. Dr. Yurovska is the author and co-author of several patents and numerous articles in peer-reviewed and industrial publications. \nDr. Yurovska is an active member of the US rubber industry community\, being on several Rubber Division\, ACS committees\, she served as a Chair of the New England Rubber and Plastics Group and she is on the Board of NERPG and is also a member of the Energy Polymer Group. \nIrene has two children and one grandchild. She enjoys spending time with her family\, world travel\, swimming\, and classic opera.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/webinar-rubber-industry-supply-chains/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261119T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261119T170000
DTSTAMP:20260530T171543
CREATED:20260528T210236Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260528T210236Z
UID:2279-1795078800-1795107600@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Rubber Extrusion Technology
DESCRIPTION:November 19\, 2026; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET \nCEUs: 0.76 (To receive the CEUs\, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.) \nLocation: This course is available virtually only and can be taken from the comfort of your home or office – remotely from any tablet\, laptop or computer. \nDescription: This course was designed for rubber industry employees who currently extrude rubber and wish to expand their knowledge of the process or those wishing to gain insights into these processes and how they can be used. \nOverview: The course will offer an overview of the variety of commercially viable rubber extrusion processes and examine their strengths and weaknesses. Next\, we will go into a more in-depth look at the three most common rubber extrusion processes i.e. Liquid Curing Media (LCM)\, better known as the Salt Bath process\, Hot Air Vulcanization (HAV) and Microwave/Hot Air Vulcanization. The emphasis will be on practical knowledge that can be utilized in production. In all areas\, specific safety concerns will be highlighted and addressed. \nFirst\, the common elements to all extrusion processes\, namely the extruder and its components\, plus dies and other tooling will be reviewed. The course then will look at each of the three most common and important extrusion processes in more depth\, giving useful ideas for process improvements that the participants can apply in their own manufacturing. The course will conclude with a brief look at rubber compound development for the extrusion processes emphasizing important compound design features. \nPrice: $745 Members / $845 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 Other Student Members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Richard D. Strong\, President\, Elastomeric Consulting Services LLC \nBio: Richard Strong is currently President and CEO of Elastomeric Consulting Services. He is a 1971 graduate of the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth where he received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and was awarded the Fred E. Busby award for outstanding work in Chemistry. \nStrong has over 50 years of experience in various aspects of rubber technology and has served as Chief Technical Officer for over 30 years of his career. His background includes raw material sourcing\, compound design\, processing and testing with organic elastomers and silicone\, including cellular rubber. He has broad expertise in process development\, documentation\, control and troubleshooting\, in addition to extensive experience in the review and analysis of test data from rubber compounds. \nStrong’s consulting business has been conducted both domestically and internationally. It includes development and presentation of educational programs for individual companies and for professional organizations\, colleges and universities. He also does hands on work with production companies to achieve improvements in their compounds and production processes. In addition\, he works with raw material suppliers to teach them how their products might be used in the rubber industry. \nIn March 2019\, his book Sponge Rubber\, An Introduction to Cellular Rubber was published by TechnoBiz as a companion reference for the course he also presents of the same name for the Rubber Division\, ACS and Akron Polymer Technical Services. He has also developed and presented two other courses\, An Introduction to Continuous Vulcanization and Rubber Extrusion Technology for these organizations. Strong developed a course on Sponge Rubber in cooperation with the University of Akron and the High Institute for Elastomer Industries to be presented in Saudi Arabia. He has recorded a four-segment video course on cellular rubber for Techno Biz. \nStrong is married (Roberta) and resides in Northeast Ohio. He has a daughter and a stepson and stepdaughter\, plus 3 grandchildren. In his spare time\, he enjoys walking\, reading\, working with his wife in their flower beds/gardens and fostering senior rescue dogs.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/course-rubber-extrusion-technology/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
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