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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270729T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270729T120000
DTSTAMP:20261020T154343Z
CREATED:20261020T154343Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T154343Z
UID:2508-1816858800-1816862400@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Devulcanization - Science & Methods
DESCRIPTION:July 29\, 2027; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET \nWebinar Overview: This webinar provides a solid foundation in the science of devulcanization and examines the current methods used to break sulfur crosslinks in cured rubber. Participants will gain an understanding of the principles behind each major approach\, along with the performance characteristics and commercial considerations relevant to modern recycling efforts. \nWebinar Content: \n\nThe drivers behind devulcanization and its role in circular rubber technologies\nChemical approaches and reaction mechanisms\nMechanical processing methods and their effects on structure\nThermal processes and operating conditions\nHybrid techniques that combine multiple pathways\nKey properties of devulcanized materials\nCurrent applications and commercial activity\n\nThis webinar equips participants with a practical scientific overview that supports informed decision making in materials selection\, processing strategies\, and sustainability planning. \nCategory: Sustainability & Regulatory; Materials & Chemistry \nWho Should Attend: Tire compounders\, chemists\, technical sales and engineers working on tread performance\, fuel efficiency and EV tires. Some technical background is helpful. \nPrice: Free for Members / $99 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Critt Ohlemacher\, PhD\, Smithers Senior Materials Scientist – Akron Labs \nBio: As the Senior Materials Scientist of the Smithers rubber and polymer testing laboratory in Akron\, Ohio\, Critt works with the chemical analysis and physical & mechanical properties testing teams on projects related to mixing and compounding\, reconstruction and reverse engineering\, and development of analytical techniques. Critt has over thirty years of experience in physical testing and chemical analysis of rubber and polymer materials. He has special expertise in reverse engineering of elastomers and plastics\, bloom and inclusion identification\, additive identification and quantitation\, headspace analysis and compounding. Critt holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Ohio University and a Doctor of Philosophy in polymer science from the University of Akron.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/webinar-devulcanization-science-methods/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270728T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270728T130000
DTSTAMP:20261020T154202Z
CREATED:20261020T154202Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T154202Z
UID:2506-1816765200-1816779600@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Antidegradant Chemistry\, Testing & Aging
DESCRIPTION:July 28\, 2027; 9 a.m. – 1 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\nCategory: Materials & Chemistry; Durability & Failure Analysis; Testing & Quality; Sustainability & Regulatory \nWho Should Attend: Compounders\, chemists and quality professionals responsible for aging performance and service life\, including those evaluating 6PPD alternatives. Best suited to those with a technical background. \nPrice: $445 Members / $545 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:20270722T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270722T120000
DTSTAMP:20261020T154024Z
CREATED:20261020T154024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T154024Z
UID:2504-1816250400-1816257600@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: The Fatigue Limit of Rubber
DESCRIPTION:July 22\, 2027; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET \nWebinar Description: This webinar will introduce industry professionals to the concept of fatigue threshold in elastomers and how to use this material parameter to develop highly durable rubber products. A technical background is recommended. This webinar will cover: \nGeneral fatigue crack growth behavior of elastomers\n– Power law response\n– Tear strength\n– Fatigue threshold (limit) / intrinsic strength \nHow to measure fatigue limit\n– Lengthy fatigue crack growth measurements\n– Tear strength of swollen samples or at high temperature\n– Cutting method \nInsights into developing a product to operate below the fatigue limit\n– Interplay of part geometry\, loading conditions\, and material properties\n– Importance of crack precursor size\, as influenced by raw materials selection and mixing quality \nCategory: Durability & Failure Analysis; Testing & Quality \nWho Should Attend: Engineers\, compounders and product developers designing durable rubber products. A technical background is recommended. \nPrice: Free for Members / $199 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER.  \nInstructor: Dr. Tom Ebbott\, Endurica LLC \nBio: Tom received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin with a research topic of fracture and crack growth in polymers. He is a tire industry veteran known for his leadership in driving advances in modeling\, simulation and workflows across a global organization.  He joined Endurica in 2022 after a 35-year career at Goodyear. While at Goodyear\, he held various technical and leadership positions with experience in product development\, technology development\, modeling and simulation\, and materials characterization. He was a major contributor to multiple technical partnerships. He also enjoyed a two-year assignment at Goodyear’s technical center in Luxembourg as the Manager of Computational Mechanics. He has published many technical papers and received numerous awards for his technical achievements.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/webinar-the-fatigue-limit-of-rubber-2/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270721T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270721T120000
DTSTAMP:20261020T153846Z
CREATED:20261020T153846Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T153846Z
UID:2502-1816164000-1816171200@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Strength & Endurance in Rubber
DESCRIPTION:July 21\, 2027; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET \nWebinar Description: This webinar is designed for industry professionals wanting an “on-ramp” to the vast subject of managing the strength and durability of elastomeric materials and products. A technical background is helpful but not required. This course will cover: \nWhat does failure really cost? \nFactors that limit rubber’s strength and endurance:\n– molecular and mesoscale origins\n– energy principles governing crack growth\n– special effects: strain crystallization\, rate and temperature dependence\, ageing \nWhat can be done to avoid failure?\n– experimental methods: crack growth\, crack nucleation\, ageing\n– analysis methods for understanding real-world durability: FEA\, multi-channel load inputs\, block cycle schedules\, lengthy load signals\n– design strategies \nCategory: Durability & Failure Analysis; Testing & Quality \nWho Should Attend: Engineers\, compounders and product developers wanting an “on-ramp” to rubber strength and durability. A technical background is helpful but not required. \nPrice: Free for Members / $199 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER.  \nInstructor: Dr. William V. Mars\, P.E.\, President of Endurica LLC \nBio: Dr. Will Mars is an international leader in the failure mechanics of rubber. He founded Endurica LLC in 2008 and\, as president\, leads the firms’ software\, testing\, consulting\, and training services. Dr. Mars is the author of the Endurica fatigue life solver\, the world’s most accurate\, complete and scalable fatigue life simulation system for elastomers. His career focuses on applying experimental and computational mechanics in pursuit of better-performing rubber products. He has established several industry best practices during his three decades of experience in the rubber industry. Dr. Mars earned his Honors BSME with Polymer Specialization at the University of Akron\, and his MS and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Toledo. He has received several awards for his scientific contributions and innovations including the 2022 Herzlich Medal for outstanding impact and innovation in the tire industry\, the 2020 Tibbett’s Award from the Small Business Administration of the United States for excellence in commercialization of cutting-edge technologies\, the 2017 Rubber Division\, ACS Arnold Smith Special Service Award\, the 2007 Sparks Thomas Award of Rubber Division\, ACS and the 1999 Henry Fuchs Award of the SAE Fatigue Design & Evaluation committee. Dr. Mars served as the chief editor of Rubber Chemistry and Technology for 10 years and is a former editor of Tire Science and Technology as well. He has over 60 peer-reviewed scientific publications and four patents in the area of elastomer durability.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/webinar-strength-endurance-in-rubber-2/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270624T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270624T150000
DTSTAMP:20261020T153718Z
CREATED:20261020T153718Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T153718Z
UID:2500-1813827600-1813849200@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: An Introduction to Continuous Vulcanization
DESCRIPTION:June 24\, 2027; 9 a.m. – 3 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. \nCategory: Process & Manufacturing \nWho Should Attend: Plant employees\, engineers and supervisors who use continuous vulcanization (salt bath\, hot air\, microwave)\, and anyone wanting practical insight into CV processes. A technical background is recommended. \nPrice: $695 Members / $795 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: Mr. 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. \nHe 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.  He also has extensive experience in the review and analysis of test data from rubber compounds. \nHis 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. Lastly\, 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 ACS Rubber Division 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. He has also 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 4-segment video course on cellular rubber for Techno Biz. \nMr. Strong is married (Roberta) and resides in Northeast Ohio.  He has a daughter and a stepson and stepdaughter + 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-2/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270608T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270608T170000
DTSTAMP:20261020T153542Z
CREATED:20261020T153542Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T153542Z
UID:2498-1812459600-1812474000@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Carbon Black & Non-black Fillers
DESCRIPTION:June 8\, 2027; 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET \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 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 will review types of fillers commonly used in rubber compounds and how they affect rubber properties such as durometer\, tensile\, modulus\, compression set\, etc. \nTopics covered will include: \n\nEffect of filler particle size and shape on rubber\nTypes & chemistry of mineral fillers\nCarbon black tests and classification\nFiller comparisons in rubber compounds\nRubber mixing with carbon black and other fillers\n\nCategory: Materials & Chemistry \nWho Should Attend: Compounders\, chemists and engineers who choose and use reinforcing fillers. Some technical background is helpful. \nPrice: $445 Members / $545 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $50 Other Student Members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Paul Merda\, ARDL\nPaul 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-carbon-black-non-black-fillers/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270602T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270602T120000
DTSTAMP:20261020T153417Z
CREATED:20261020T153417Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T153417Z
UID:2496-1811930400-1811937600@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Advanced Reinforcements & Fillers
DESCRIPTION:June 2\, 2027; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET \nWebinar Overview: This webinar explores the science\, structure and performance impact of key reinforcement and filler systems used in rubber compounding. Participants will gain insight into how morphology\, surface chemistry and treatment technologies influence processing behavior and final material properties across a wide range of applications. \nWebinar Content: \n\nSilica morphology\, structure and performance considerations\nSilane chemistry and application methods for effective coupling\nTreatment technologies used to optimize silica interaction with rubber\nKaolin clay technology with emerging opportunities for formulation development\nTalc technology and its potential roles in property modification\nCalcium carbonate systems with evolving application possibilities\nGraphene technology and its expanding performance landscape\n\nThis webinar equips participants with a deeper understanding of reinforcement mechanisms and filler selection strategies that support innovation in compound design. \nCategory: Materials & Chemistry; Compounding & Formulations \nWho Should Attend: Compounders\, chemists and R&D staff looking to go deeper on silica\, silanes\, clays\, talc\, calcium carbonate and graphene. Best suited to those with a technical background. \nPrice: Free for Members / $199 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Josh Guilliams\, Vice President of Consultancy \nBio: Josh Guilliams\, Vice President of Consultancy leads\, Smithers’ technical consulting team based in Akron\, Ohio. Josh manages client relationships and works with other Smithers experts on complex projects. He also conducts in-depth investigations of a wide variety of rubber materials and final products on behalf of clients. Guilliams has a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and engineering from Baldwin Wallace University and a Master of Polymer Science from the University of Akron. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/webinar-advanced-reinforcements-fillers/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270526T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270526T150000
DTSTAMP:20261020T153236Z
CREATED:20261020T153236Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T153236Z
UID:2494-1811322000-1811343600@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Sponge Rubber 101
DESCRIPTION:May 26\, 2027; 9 a.m. – 3 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 \nCategory: Process & Manufacturing; Materials & Chemistry \nWho Should Attend: People who make flexible cellular (sponge) rubber products and students who want to understand these materials\, from compound to production. A technical background is recommended. \nPrice: $695 Members / $795 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: Mr. 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. \nHe 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.  He also has extensive experience in the review and analysis of test data from rubber compounds. \nHis 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. Lastly\, 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 ACS Rubber Division 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. He has also 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 4-segment video course on cellular rubber for Techno Biz. \nMr. Strong is married (Roberta) and resides in Northeast Ohio.  He has a daughter and a stepson and stepdaughter + 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:20270519T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270521T170000
DTSTAMP:20261020T153103Z
CREATED:20261020T153103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T153103Z
UID:2492-1810717200-1810918800@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Advanced Rubber Compounding
DESCRIPTION:Wednesday\, May 19 – Friday\, May 21\, 2027; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET daily \nCEUs: 1.2 (To receive the CEUs\, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.) \nLocation: This course is available both virtually and in-person at the Rubber Division\, ACS office – 306 N. Cleveland Massillon Rd.\, Akron\, OH 44333. Friday will conclude with a tour of Akron Rubber Development Laboratory – 75 E. Robinson Ave.\, Barberton\, OH 44203. \nCourse Overview: This course provides in-depth coverage of rubber compounding and testing. It will include classroom\, laboratory and factory experiences. This course is a natural follow-up course to our “Intermediate Rubber Compounding” course and will go into more detail on all the topics covered in that course. Classroom subjects include elastomers\, fillers/reinforcement\, plasticizers/process aids\, antidegradants\, cure systems\, adhesion\, foaming agents\, and flame retardants\, compound design\, warehouse storage and useful references. Testing laboratory subjects will include process testing\, physical properties\, abrasion\, aged physical properties\, low temperature properties\, dynamic testing\, adhesion\, ozone/weathering testing\, chemical analytics and microscopy. Processing subjects will include mixing\, milling\, calendering\, extrusion and molding. There will be tours of the testing labs\, as well as a demonstration of mixing\, milling\, extrusion and molding. \nRecommended Pre-requisite Course(s): \n\nProcessing and Testing of Rubber (4 hour) and/or Essentials of Rubber Technology (4 hours) or Intermediate Rubber Compounding (8 hour)\n\nTopics Covered: \n\nPolymer overview\n\npolymerization methods\, polymer terms\, viscoelastic properties and glass transition temperature\n\n\nCommon elastomers and comparisons of their properties\nCarbon black and non-black fillers\n\nfiller properties and their role in rubber\n\n\nProcess oils\, plasticizers and process aids\n\nchemistries\, compatibilities and the effects on rubber compounds\n\n\nAntidegradants\n\nOzonolysis\, oxidation and the role antidegradants play in mitigating degradation\n\n\nVulcanization (Curing)\n\nThe various chemistries of curing are discussed including sulfur donors\, accelerators and activators. Includes an examination of rubber properties related to the type of cure\n\n\nAdhesion\, Foam Agents and Flame Retardants\n\nA brief overview of the types of chemicals used and the relationship with rubber\n\n\nMixing and Processing of Rubber\n\nA review of mixing\, milling and processing including curing into final rubber article\n\n\nTesting of Rubber\n\nphysical properties\, analytical measurements\, plastics\, engineering and microscopy.\n\n\n\nCategory: Compounding & Formulation \nWho Should Attend: Experienced compounders\, chemists and engineers ready for in-depth classroom\, laboratory and factory training. Best suited to those with a technical background. Recommended: Intermediate Rubber Compounding\, Processing & Testing of Rubber\, or Essentials of Rubber Technology first. \nIn-Person Price: $1\,600 Members / $1\,850 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 for Other Student Members (Breakfast\, Lunch and Coffee included) \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER for IN- PERSON. \nVirtual Price: $1\,500 Members / $1\,750 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 for Other Student Members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER for VIRTUAL. \nInstructors: Paul Merda and Nicki Hershberger\, Akron Rubber Development Laboratory \nPaul 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. \nNicki Hershberger\n– Currently: Compound Development Manager / Sr. Technical Advisor at ARDL\n– Previously: Polymerics Inc. and Sid Richardson Carbon and Energy\n– Education: B.A. degree Kent State University\n– Experience: 24 years rubber experience in custom mixing and compound development for extrusion\, molding\, and auto-claved applications
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/course-advanced-rubber-compounding/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270513T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270513T130000
DTSTAMP:20261020T152743Z
CREATED:20261020T152743Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T152743Z
UID:2490-1810198800-1810213200@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Non-tire Specialty Elastomers
DESCRIPTION:May 13\, 2027; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET \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 provides a focused overview of major elastomer families used across industrial\, automotive\, consumer and specialty applications. Participants will examine the fundamental chemistry\, performance characteristics and processing considerations that define each material\, along with the environments where they deliver the greatest value. \nCourse Content: \n\nEPDM structure\, key properties and common sealing and weathering applications\nNitrile performance in oil-resistant formulations and fuel-system environments\nSilicone rubber behavior\, thermal stability and high-purity applications\nNeoprene versatility and resistance profiles\nFluorosilicone elastomers and their use in harsh chemical and temperature conditions\nFluorocarbon elastomers with a focus on chemical resistance and high-performance sealing\n\nThis course gives participants a clear scientific foundation for selecting and applying these elastomers in real-world product design and compound development. \nCategory: Materials & Chemistry \nWho Should Attend: Product designers\, compounders\, engineers and technical sales staff who select or specify EPDM\, nitrile\, silicone\, neoprene\, fluorosilicone or fluorocarbon elastomers. Some technical background is helpful. \nPrice: $445 Members / $545 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $50 for Other Student Members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Brad Sellers and Joshua Guilliams\, Smithers \nBios: Brad Sellers joined the Smithers consulting team in 2014. He specializes in tire and rubber product evaluations and data analysis\, focused on developing action plans and helping clients implement solutions that address their development\, quality\, and performance challenges. He has significant experience providing technical support for testing and research studies along with proven skills in failure analysis\, project planning\, patent research\, and secondary technical research. Bradley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Ohio University. \nJosh Guilliams\, Vice President of Consultancy leads\, Smithers’ technical consulting team based in Akron\, Ohio. Josh manages client relationships and works with other Smithers experts on complex projects. He also conducts in-depth investigations of a wide variety of rubber materials and final products on behalf of clients. Guilliams has a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and engineering from Baldwin Wallace University and a Master of Polymer Science from the University of Akron. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/course-non-tire-specialty-elastomers/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20270503
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270508
DTSTAMP:20240514T184213Z
CREATED:20240514T184213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240514T184213Z
UID:1590-1809302400-1809734399@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:NPE 2027 - The Plastics Show
DESCRIPTION:May 3-7\, 2027\nOrlando\, FL
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/npe-2027-the-plastics-show/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270401T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270401T170000
DTSTAMP:20261020T152423Z
CREATED:20261020T152423Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T152423Z
UID:2488-1806584400-1806598800@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Processing & Testing of Rubber
DESCRIPTION:April 1\, 2027; 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET \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 available virtually only and can be taken from the comfort of your home or office – remotely from any tablet\, laptop or computer. \nCourse Overview: Mixing\, extrusion\, molding and testing is the focus of this course. Different mixer types and rotors types will be reviewed. Extrusion\, salt batch and other processing will be discussed along with how to troubleshoot processing problems. Compression\, injection\, transfer molding and other molding will be covered. The testing section includes quality control and more details on most rubber tests. \nCategory: Testing & Quality; Materials & Chemistry \nWho Should Attend: Lab and quality technicians\, process engineers and newer technical staff who want to understand mixing\, extrusion\, molding and the most common rubber tests. Some technical background is helpful. \nPrice: $445 Members / $545 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $50 for Other Student Members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Paul Merda\, ARDL\nPaul 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/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270324T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270324T150000
DTSTAMP:20261020T152259Z
CREATED:20261020T152259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T152259Z
UID:2486-1805878800-1805900400@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Rubber Extrusion Technology
DESCRIPTION:March 24\, 2027; 9 a.m. – 3 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. \nCategory: Process & Manufacturing \nWho Should Attend: Plant employees\, engineers and supervisors who currently extrude rubber\, and anyone wanting practical insight into extrusion processes. A technical background is recommended. \nPrice: $695 Members / $795 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: Mr. 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. \nHe 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.  He also has extensive experience in the review and analysis of test data from rubber compounds. \nHis 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. Lastly\, 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 ACS Rubber Division 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. He has also 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 4-segment video course on cellular rubber for Techno Biz. \nMr. Strong is married (Roberta) and resides in Northeast Ohio. He has a daughter and a stepson and stepdaughter + 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-2/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270317T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270317T120000
DTSTAMP:20261020T152121Z
CREATED:20261020T152121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T152121Z
UID:2484-1805277600-1805284800@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Basics of Polymer Testing & Processing
DESCRIPTION:March 17\, 2027; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET \nWebinar Overview: This webinar is designed to be an introduction to the rubber industry for employees who have very little or no understanding of how rubber or plastic parts are manufactured and tested. It introduces some basic terminology used in the rubber and plastic industries. Several types of testing will be introduced\, and practical examples will be shared to illustrate why parts/products are tested. Lastly\, this webinar provides an overview of the rubber mixing process\, as well as a few processing and curing methods commonly used in this industry. \nThis webinar will give new employees a big picture view of the different departments within ARDL\, will illustrate how those departments work together in the big picture of the rubber industry and will emphasize why each aspect of our company is so important to rubber and plastic products that we use every day. \nCategory: Foundations; Testing & Quality; Process & Manufacturing \nWho Should Attend: New employees and non-technical staff (sales\, customer service\, purchasing\, administration) who want a big-picture view of how rubber and plastic parts are made and tested. No technical background needed. \nPrice: Free for Members / $199 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Paul Merda\, ARDL\nPaul 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/webinar-basics-of-polymer-testing-processing/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20270314
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270318
DTSTAMP:20260629T151320Z
CREATED:20260629T151320Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T151320Z
UID:2319-1804982400-1805327999@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Southern Rubber Group Winter Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Greenville\, SC \nDetails Forthcoming \nwww.southernrubbergroup.org
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/southern-rubber-group-winter-meeting/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270304T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270305T130000
DTSTAMP:20261020T151946Z
CREATED:20261020T151834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T151946Z
UID:2480-1804150800-1804251600@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Intermediate Rubber Compounding
DESCRIPTION:March 4 & 5\, 2027; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET both days (8 hours total) \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. \nCourse Overview: This course is an overview of rubber compounding and testing. Compounding subjects include elastomers\, fillers/reinforcement\, plasticizers/process aids\, anti-degradants and cure systems. Testing laboratory subjects will include process testing\, physical properties testing\, dynamic properties testing and aging. Processing subjects will include mixing\, milling\, molding\, extrusion and calendaring. This course could be useful for chemists\, engineers and technical sales staff who may be relatively new to the rubber industry and want a better understanding of how different ingredients affect a rubber compound. \nCategory: Compounding & Formulation \nWho Should Attend: Chemists\, engineers and technical sales staff relatively new to the rubber industry who want to understand how different ingredients affect a rubber compound. Some technical background is helpful. \nPrice: $795 Members / $895 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 for Other Student Members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructors: Paul Merda and Nicki Hershberger\, Akron Rubber Development Laboratory \nPaul 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. \nNicki Hershberger is the Vice President Technical & Sales at Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL). She has been in the rubber industry for around 25 years and has experience working in custom mixing and compound development for extrusion\, molding\, and autoclaved applications. In Nicki’s current role\, she works with customers on challenging compound development projects\, helps them evaluate new materials in various rubber applications\, and also manages ARDL’s technical advisor/compound development group. \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-intermediate-rubber-compounding-3/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270216T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270216T120000
DTSTAMP:20261020T151618Z
CREATED:20261020T151618Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T151618Z
UID:2478-1802775600-1802779200@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Green Tire Chemistry - Optimizing the Tire Magic Triangle through Tread Chemistry
DESCRIPTION:February 16\, 2027; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET \nWebinar Overview: Dating back nearly 40 years\, the demand to improve fuel efficiency while maintaining tire traction and reducing treadwear continues to be a trend for tire manufacturers. This has become even more critical as electric vehicles have rapidly entered the market. \nNew\, performance-enhancing materials have impacted tire tread performance\, including elastomers (rubbers)\, process oils\, performance resins\, precipitated silica and organosilanes. The objective of this webinar is to review and explain the use of passenger car tire tread materials that successfully expand the magic triangle of tire performance. The following topics will be covered: \n\nUsage of green materials in tire compounding\nConsiderations for mixing techniques\nCommon material properties tests used to correlate to tire performance\nTrends\, applications and what to consider when using performance-enhancing materials\n\nCategory: Materials & Chemistry; Compounding & Formulations \nWho Should Attend: Tire compounders\, chemists\, technical sales and engineers working on tread performance\, fuel efficiency and EV tires. Some technical background is helpful. \nPrice: Free for Members / $99 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER.  \nInstructor: Critt Ohlemacher\, PhD\, Smithers Senior Materials Scientist – Akron Labs \nBio: As the Senior Materials Scientist of the Smithers rubber and polymer testing laboratory in Akron\, Ohio\, Critt works with the chemical analysis and physical & mechanical properties testing teams on projects related to mixing and compounding\, reconstruction and reverse engineering\, and development of analytical techniques. Critt has over thirty years of experience in physical testing and chemical analysis of rubber and polymer materials. He has special expertise in reverse engineering of elastomers and plastics\, bloom and inclusion identification\, additive identification and quantitation\, headspace analysis and compounding. Critt holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Ohio University and a Doctor of Philosophy in polymer science from the University of Akron.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/webinar-green-tire-chemistry-optimizing-the-tire-magic-triangle-through-tread-chemistry/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270211T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270211T130000
DTSTAMP:20261020T151426Z
CREATED:20261020T151426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T151426Z
UID:2476-1802336400-1802350800@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Dynamic Viscoelastic Properties
DESCRIPTION:February 11\, 2027; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET \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 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 starts with a very brief introduction to viscoelastic theories and models but then shifts to an explanation of the viscoelastic properties of elastomers and how those properties can be measured. Attendees will learn about how tire performance can be predicted using dynamic mechanical analysis and how these testing methods can be applied to other non-tire applications as well. This course will also discuss how compounding ingredients such as the polymer\, fillers\, plasticizers and cure systems can each affect the viscoelastic properties of a rubber compound. \nCategory: Testing & Quality; Materials & Chemistry \nWho Should Attend: Compounders\, testing professionals and engineers who measure or use dynamic properties\, including tire performance prediction. Best suited to those with a technical background. \nPrice: $445 Members / $545 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $50 for Other Student Members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Paul Merda\, ARDL\nPaul 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-dynamic-viscoelastic-properties/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270114T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270114T120000
DTSTAMP:20261019T152812Z
CREATED:20260602T190446Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T152812Z
UID:2286-1799920800-1799928000@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: The Fatigue Limit of Rubber
DESCRIPTION:January 14\, 2027; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET  \nWebinar Description: This two-hour webinar will introduce industry professionals to the concept of fatigue threshold in elastomers and how to use this material parameter to develop highly durable rubber products. A technical background is recommended. This webinar will cover: \nGeneral fatigue crack growth behavior of elastomers\n– Power law response\n– Tear strength\n– Fatigue threshold (limit) / intrinsic strength \nHow to measure fatigue limit\n– Lengthy fatigue crack growth measurements\n– Tear strength of swollen samples or at high temperature\n– Cutting method \nInsights into developing a product to operate below the fatigue limit\n– Interplay of part geometry\, loading conditions\, and material properties\n– Importance of crack precursor size\, as influenced by raw materials selection and mixing quality \nPrice: Free for Members / $149 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Dr. Tom Ebbott\, Endurica LLC \nBio: Tom received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin with a research topic of fracture and crack growth in polymers. He is a tire industry veteran known for his leadership in driving advances in modeling\, simulation and workflows across a global organization.  He joined Endurica in 2022 after a 35-year career at Goodyear. While at Goodyear\, he held various technical and leadership positions with experience in product development\, technology development\, modeling and simulation\, and materials characterization. He was a major contributor to multiple technical partnerships. He also enjoyed a two-year assignment at Goodyear’s technical center in Luxembourg as the Manager of Computational Mechanics. He has published many technical papers and received numerous awards for his technical achievements.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/webinar-the-fatigue-limit-of-rubber/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270113T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270113T120000
DTSTAMP:20260602T191033Z
CREATED:20260602T185351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T191033Z
UID:2281-1799834400-1799841600@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Strength & Endurance in Rubber
DESCRIPTION:January 13\, 2027; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET \nWebinar Description: This webinar is designed for industry professionals wanting an “on-ramp” to the vast subject of managing the strength and durability of elastomeric materials and products. A technical background is helpful but not required. This course will cover: \nWhat does failure really cost? \nFactors that limit rubber’s strength and endurance:\n– molecular and mesoscale origins\n– energy principles governing crack growth\n– special effects: strain crystallization\, rate and temperature dependence\, ageing \nWhat can be done to avoid failure?\n– experimental methods: crack growth\, crack nucleation\, ageing\n– analysis methods for understanding real-world durability: FEA\, multi-channel load inputs\, block cycle schedules\, lengthy load signals\n– design strategies \nPrice: Free for Members / $149 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER.  \nInstructor: Dr. William V. Mars\, P.E.\, President of Endurica LLC \nBio: Dr. Will Mars is an international leader in the failure mechanics of rubber. He founded Endurica LLC in 2008 and\, as president\, leads the firms’ software\, testing\, consulting\, and training services. Dr. Mars is the author of the Endurica fatigue life solver\, the world’s most accurate\, complete and scalable fatigue life simulation system for elastomers. His career focuses on applying experimental and computational mechanics in pursuit of better-performing rubber products. He has established several industry best practices during his three decades of experience in the rubber industry. Dr. Mars earned his Honors BSME with Polymer Specialization at the University of Akron\, and his MS and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Toledo. He has received several awards for his scientific contributions and innovations including the 2022 Herzlich Medal for outstanding impact and innovation in the tire industry\, the 2020 Tibbett’s Award from the Small Business Administration of the United States for excellence in commercialization of cutting-edge technologies\, the 2017 Rubber Division\, ACS Arnold Smith Special Service Award\, the 2007 Sparks Thomas Award of Rubber Division\, ACS and the 1999 Henry Fuchs Award of the SAE Fatigue Design & Evaluation committee. Dr. Mars served as the chief editor of Rubber Chemistry and Technology for 10 years and is a former editor of Tire Science and Technology as well. He has over 60 peer-reviewed scientific publications and four patents in the area of elastomer durability.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/webinar-strength-endurance-in-rubber/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261215T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261215T120000
DTSTAMP:20261020T200322Z
CREATED:20260723T211716Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T200322Z
UID:2362-1797332400-1797336000@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Fundamentals of Machine Vision for the Inspection of Rubber Seals
DESCRIPTION:Webinar Description: In this webinar\, you’ll be introduced to essential machine vision concepts\, including principles of optics\, lighting and digital image acquisition. You’ll then discover how to optimally image rubber seals to robustly detect dimensional\, cosmetic and structural defects. \nThis webinar is ideal for manufacturing and quality assurance professionals who are fairly new to machine vision and are interested in implementing automated inspection solutions in their production process. \nObjectives \n\nLearn the basic principles of optics\, lighting and digital imaging applied to real use cases in the rubber industry\nDiscover best machine vision practices to successfully inspect rubber seals\nUnderstand what key features to look for when evaluating an investment in automatic vision inspection equipment\n\nPrice: Free for Members / $99 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Luca Palleschi\, UTP Vision \nLuca Palleschi is the CEO of UTPVision USA\, the North American division of UTPVision. Headquartered in Italy\, UTPVision is the leading manufacturer of automated vision inspection equipment for O-rings\, gaskets\, seals and many other rubber products\, with over 1\,000 machines successfully deployed worldwide. Previously\, he held the position of GM at Opto Engineering USA\, a machine vision company specializing in precision optics\, industrial LED lighting\, high resolution cameras and imaging software. Luca has over 15 years of combined experience in machine vision technologies and has collaborated with hundreds of companies in solving challenging vision inspection applications. Through UTPVision\, he is thrilled to share how specialized machine vision tools can help manufacturers in the rubber industry improve production quality\, increase productivity and reduce inspection-related costs.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/webinar-fundamentals-of-machine-vision-for-the-inspection-of-rubber-seals/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261210T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261210T120000
DTSTAMP:20260612T174629Z
CREATED:20260602T190106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260612T174629Z
UID:2284-1796896800-1796904000@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Case Studies in Failure Analysis
DESCRIPTION:December 10\, 2026; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET \nWebinar Overview: This webinar will discuss reasons items fail such as misapplication\, lack of maintenance\, manufacturing or design defects\, etc. Also to be discussed is how to apply the scientific method during failure analysis and a few real-world examples will be used to demonstrate the principles that are presented. \nPrice: Free for Members / $149 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Paul Merda\, ARDL\nPaul 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/webinar-case-studies-in-failure-analysis/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261209T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261209T170000
DTSTAMP:20260817T184957Z
CREATED:20260528T205449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T184957Z
UID:2278-1796806800-1796835600@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: An Introduction to Continuous Vulcanization
DESCRIPTION:December 9\, 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:20261205T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261205T230000
DTSTAMP:20251212T162515Z
CREATED:20251212T162515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251212T162515Z
UID:2076-1796493600-1796511600@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Los Angeles Rubber Group Christmas Party
DESCRIPTION:Click here for details.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/los-angeles-rubber-group-christmas-party/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261205T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261205T140000
DTSTAMP:20251203T185814Z
CREATED:20251203T185814Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251203T185814Z
UID:2058-1796470200-1796479200@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Mexico Rubber Group End of the Year Luncheon
DESCRIPTION:Location: El Caballo Bayo Restaurant \nMore Information:\nMiguel Bernal miguelbernals@cnih.org.mx\nJose Gazano antogua@prodigy.net.mx
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/mexico-rubber-group-end-of-the-year-luncheon-3/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261203T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261203T210000
DTSTAMP:20260717T141345Z
CREATED:20260717T141345Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T141345Z
UID:2350-1796317200-1796331600@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Quebec Rubber Group Christmas Dinner
DESCRIPTION:Visit www.aeq-qeg.info for details.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/quebec-rubber-group-christmas-dinner/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261127
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261128
DTSTAMP:20251222T171344Z
CREATED:20251203T185649Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251222T171344Z
UID:2057-1795737600-1795823999@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Mexico Rubber Group Course: How to Improve Rubber Compounds Part III
DESCRIPTION:Course: How to Improve Rubber Compounds Part III \nInstructor: Jose Gazano \nRubber Chamber Facilities Location:\nHegel 153-101 Col. Polanco CP 11560\nMiguel Hidalgo\, CDMX \nMore Information:\nMiguel Bernal miguelbernals@cnih.org.mx\nJose Gazano antogua@prodigy.net.mx
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/mexico-rubber-group-course-how-to-improve-rubber-compounds-part-iii-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261119T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261119T170000
DTSTAMP:20261007T204918Z
CREATED:20260618T154636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261007T204918Z
UID:2302-1795078800-1795107600@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Course: Intermediate Rubber Compounding
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. \nCourse Overview: This course is an overview of rubber compounding and testing. Compounding subjects include elastomers\, fillers/reinforcement\, plasticizers/process aids\, anti-degradants and cure systems. Testing laboratory subjects will include process testing\, physical properties testing\, dynamic properties testing and aging. Processing subjects will include mixing\, milling\, molding\, extrusion and calendaring. This course could be useful for chemists\, engineers and technical sales staff who may be relatively new to the rubber industry and want a better understanding of how different ingredients affect a rubber compound. \nPrice: $745 Members / $845 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 for Other Student Members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER.  \nInstructors: Paul Merda\, Nicki Hershberger and Paul Pavka\, Akron Rubber Development Laboratory \nPaul Merda\nPaul 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. \nNicki Hershberger\nNicki Hershberger is the Vice President Technical & Sales at Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL). She has been in the rubber industry for around 25 years and has experience working in custom mixing and compound development for extrusion\, molding\, and autoclaved applications. In Nicki’s current role\, she works with customers on challenging compound development projects\, helps them evaluate new materials in various rubber applications\, and also manages ARDL’s technical advisor/compound development group. \nPaul Pavka\nCurrently: Technical Advisor / Rubber Compounder at ARDL\nPreviously: Technical Service at Franklin International\nEducation: B.S. Materials Science & Engineering\, Ohio State; M.S. Polymer Science\, University of Akron\nExperience: Seven years in the rubber/plastics/adhesives industries; has taught college chemistry and materials science \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. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/course-intermediate-rubber-compounding-2/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261118T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261118T120000
DTSTAMP:20260602T190950Z
CREATED:20260602T190254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T190950Z
UID:2285-1794999600-1795003200@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: U.S. Regulatory Compliance in the Rubber Industry
DESCRIPTION:November 18\, 2026; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET \n  \nWebinar Overview: This webinar is designed for professionals who are responsible for understanding\, implementing or supporting regulatory compliance within the U.S. rubber industry. It is well suited for managers\, engineers\, chemists\, quality professionals\, EHS staff and others who need a practical working knowledge of U.S. regulations that impact rubber materials\, compounds and finished products. \nThe webinar provides a structured overview of key federal and state regulatory requirements that rubber manufacturers are expected to understand and\, where applicable\, certify compliance against. Emphasis will be placed on how these regulations apply in real manufacturing and product stewardship contexts\, including customer inquiries\, audits\, documentation and internal decision making. Both technical and nontechnical attendees will benefit from the clear explanations and practical framing of each topic. \nTopics Covered: \n\nToxic Substances Control Act TSCA\nFood contact regulations\nGlobally Harmonized System GHS\nTransportation requirements\nConflict minerals\nSARA Title III\nCalifornia Proposition 65\nState right to know laws\nPFAS\n\nPrice: Free for Members / $99 Non-members \nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nInstructor: Denise Kotz\, Strategic Realm Consulting\, LLC \nBio: Denise Kotz is founder and principal consultant at Strategic Realm Consulting\, LLC\, a consulting company providing guidance in product regulatory and product stewardship. She is a subject matter expert (SME) on a wide range of global product regulatory requirements and product stewardship processes / management systems. She uses a risk-based approach to regulatory compliance with team collaboration\, customer focus\, and strong attention to detail. \nDenise worked for DuPont for 31 years. She started as Technical Services and Development Engineer\, supporting the Elastomers businesses. During this time\, she was active with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)\, and in 2001 received the Distinguished Service Award. She later moved into various product regulatory and product stewardship roles\, supporting all the DuPont businesses globally. In these roles\, she implemented Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals in all regions for over 10K products and streamlined global HazCom processes through risk-based approaches. Denise coordinated and streamlined the processes for product stewardship reviews for the Polymers business. She acted as SME for regulations\, such as REACH\, RoHS\, IMDS\, Conflict Minerals\, food contact\, global chemical inventories\, and customer regulatory lists\, providing daily advice to internal and external customers. \nDenise has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from The University of Akron. She also has a Green Belt Certification in Six Sigma. Denise is active with the Ohio Rubber Group and serves as the Executive Manager and Web Master. She also serves as Treasurer for Akron Council of Engineering and Scientific Societies (ACESS).  Denise is also a member of Rubber Division\, ACS and the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication (SCHC). \nDenise is married with two grown sons. Her hobbies include reading\, golf and bowling. She also enjoys spoiling her dog Lily and cat Linus\, both rescues.
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/webinar-u-s-regulatory-compliance-in-the-rubber-industry/
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261118
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261119
DTSTAMP:20260217T141359Z
CREATED:20260217T141359Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T141359Z
UID:2218-1794960000-1795046399@www.rubber.org
SUMMARY:Michigan Rubber Group Technical Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Grand Rapids\, MI \nDetails: www.michiganrubbergroup.com
URL:https://www.rubber.org/event/michigan-rubber-group-technical-meeting-4/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR