Rubber research elastomerics

Various depolymerized butyls, butyl rubber solutions or cutbacks, butyl/plasticizer blends, and highly plasticized/partially cured butyls are also available. These products are used by many adhesive companies where equipment limitations prohibit the use of the tougher, regular bale forms of butyl rubber. Principal suppliers of these type materials include Rubber Research Elastomerics, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota ADCO Products, Inc., Michigan Center, Michigan and A-Line Products, Detroit, Michigan. 

In order to produce high-performance elastomeric materials, the incorporations of different types of nanoparticles such as layered silicates, layered double hydroxides, carbon nanotubes, and nanosilica into the elastomer matrix are now growing areas of rubber research. However, the reflection of the nano effect on the properties and performance can be realized only through a uniform and homogeneous good dispersion of filler particles in the rubber matrix. 

J. B. Bonnet, Elastomeric matrix and carbon black interactions in rubber compounds, in Proceedings International Rubber Conference 1997, Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, pp. 323-327. 

Furthermore, another advantage of nanofillers is not only to reinforce the rubber matrix but also to impart a number of other properties such as barrier properties, flammability resistance, electrical/electronic and membrane properties, and polymer blend compatibility. In spite of tremendous research activities in the field of polymer nanocomposites during the last two decades, elastomeric nanocomposites... 

Natural rubber, chemically speaking poly(W.v-1,4-isoprene), is a natural polymer derived from Hevea brasiliensis and various other tropical plants like Castilloa elastica [147]. This natural polymer is mainly produced in Asia and the tropics in high, industrially relevant, amounts (e.g., 9.7 Mio mto in 2007). Apart from its usual use as an elastomeric material, some research was devoted onto the metathesis degradation (depolymerization) of natural rubber with ethylene in a CM fashion. It was believed that metathesis of natural rubber is impossible, until a pioneering... 

What is true for the container in the container-closure system is equally true for the closure alone and, essentially, for the elastomeric stoppers, generally butyl rubber, which cap the vial. Fran DeGrazio from West Pharmaceutical Services has done a lot of research in this field and studied many alternatives to their formulation trying to keep down the extractables (essentially volatile) and leachables and prevent adsorption of oils, waxes, polymers, and others on the freeze-dried plug. 

Various types of polymeric modifiers have been researched as possible candidates to impart impact resistance of epoxy resins. Sometimes, properties other than impact resistance are to be modified. For example, for adhesive applications, the main focus is usually on improving shear and peel strength. In these cases, epoxies blended with elastomeric nitrile rubbers (Hycar CTBN, B.F. Goodrich), phenolics, nylons (soluble types such as DuPont Zytel-61), and pol5nirethanes are commonly used. For impact modification, there are several approaches, as discussed below. 

Vibration is a major destmctive force in many types of machinery. Vibration can lead to wear and fatigue failure of rigid materials like alloys and plastic components. The helicopter benefits from the unique flexibility and vibration dampening characteristics of elastomeric adhesives. Elastomers are used to transfer torque to the rotor blades while providing flexibility and vibration control. Rubber tires are another example of elastomeric adhesive use. Consumers have enjoyed a steady increase in the useful life expectancy of rubber tires due to improvements in adhesion between the elastomer, tire cords, and the filler. The rubber tire industry has driven a great deal of the fundamental research on elastomeric materials in engineering design. 

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