Course: Building the Rubber Compound – The Essentials
July 30 @ 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
CEUs: 0.8 (To receive the CEUs, attendees must attend the course live and promptly complete the survey evaluation after the course.)
Location: 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.
Course Overview: Attendees will be provided with details about individual ingredients used in the design of a rubber compound. The course delves into getting the voice of the customer by asking essential questions and using the answers to those essential questions in the design of the rubber composition.
The components of rubber formulation (polymer, processing aids, curing agents, vulcanization system and its components – sulfur and peroxide, filler systems – both white and black, and plasticizers) are presented in detail. We explore the unique characteristics of each component and how they are produced.
The course will highlight the importance of controlling crosslink density, its function characteristics and how it should be measured. We will examine quality control testing measures of the polymers & fillers and explore supply chain risk management of the formulation components.
Who Should Attend? rubber formulators, product engineers, process engineers and technicians, quality control engineers and technicians, and supply chain associates
This is a perfect preface to our Intermediate Rubber Compounding virtual course taught by ARDL on July 31, 2025. Take both courses for a special price! Email [email protected] for details.
Price: $595 Members / $745 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $100 for Other Student Members
Instructor: F. Joseph Walker, Elastomer Technologies
Bio: Joseph Walker is owner and founder of Elastomer Technologies, a firm dedicated to training in elastomer materials and process engineering, technical assessments, and fit-for-function design reviews. Over the last 45 years, Walker has conducted training for major organizations and universities. He has also consulted for various customers in the areas of composites, testing, materials and shop-floor problem solving. His focus is a heightened awareness of the science behind rubber technology and improving the overall image of the rubber industry toward one of science-bases decision making through increased educational outreach. Walker is also active in driving awareness to supply chain risks and threats to the US rubber industry.
For 24 years, he held positions at Freudenberg-NOK and then Freudenberg Sealing Technologies where he retired as global technology director for materials and laboratories for Freudenberg Sealing Technologies and Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies (FNST). In this position, he was globally responsible for overseeing advanced materials technology and management of the FNST/FST laboratories. He was also the regional USMCA leader for Chemical Regulatory Compliance for FNST.
Prior to joining Freudenberg, Walker served as silicone rubber business team leader for Wacker Silicones Corp. There, he was responsible for research, development, and sales and marketing. He was an engineering fellow for Alliant Techsystems (formally Honeywell Defense and Marine Systems), where he focused on material design, processing, and application for various U.S. Department of Defense programs. Walker also held positions at Stauffer Chemical, Phillips Petroleum and Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. He continues to conduct numerous trainings at various industry workshops, universities and events.
Walker was the 2012 chairman of the American Chemical Society, Rubber Division; a member of the Rubber Industry Advisory Board for Ferris State University; board member of the Association of Rubber Product Manufacturers and is past-chair and board member of the Detroit Rubber Group. Additionally, he is a member of Society of Automotive Engineers, Society of Plastics Engineers, Original Equipment Suppliers Association, Automotive Industry Action Group and the Americas Tech Team of the American Chemistry Council. A graduate of Lawrence Institute of Technology, he holds more than 20 patents and has authored and edited various chapters in text and industry publications.