Course: Rubber Technology – An Introduction to the Science of Rubber & Rubber Molding
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 and can be taken from the comfort of your home or office – remotely from any tablet, laptop or computer.
Course Overview: This course offers a practical and engaging introduction to rubber technology, designed for those new to the industry or seeking to strengthen their foundational knowledge. Led by renowned rubber expert Joe Walker, participants will gain a clear understanding of what rubber is, how various rubber polymers differ and why those differences matter in real-world applications.
Through a balance of scientific principles and hands-on insights, this course will cover:
Rubber Chemistry Essentials: Understand the core principles behind rubber materials, including what defines a rubber and the unique properties of common rubber polymers.
Formulation Fundamentals: Explore how rubber compounds are created by breaking down the role and function of key ingredients such as:
- Antidegradants
- Fillers
- Cure systems
- Plasticizers
Mixing & Processing: Learn how rubber is mixed and tested, with an emphasis on maintaining batch-to-batch consistency for quality assurance.
Molding Mechanics: Dive into rubber molding techniques, with a focus on how to control the process through:
- State of cure and crosslink density
- Rubber-to-metal bonding principles
Who Should Take This Course: This course is ideal for engineers, technicians, sales professionals and anyone involved in the rubber industry who wants to better understand how rubber products are formulated, processed and molded. Participants will gain a solid foundation that can be immediately applied on the job or used as a launchpad for deeper technical learning.
Price: $595 Members / $745 Non-members / Free for Undergraduate Student Members / $50 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-based decision making through increased educational outreach. He is also active in driving awareness of supply chain risks and threats to the US rubber industry.
For 24 years, Walker 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, Walker holds more than 20 patents and has authored and edited various chapters in text and industry publications.