Top rubber industry innovations - January

ELASTOMER/RUBBER PROCESSING

Multi-component bonding advance

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has developed a technology to improve the bonding of thermoplastics materials to thermosetting elastomers in the production of multi-component parts. The technology involves a “one-step process bond" between plastics and thermosetting elastomer materials "without pre-treatment, adhesives, surface preparation or any other additional steps.” TSS has, so far, validated nearly 50 different material combinations, for example those involving fluororubbers, and aims to build an extensive database of combinations linked to customer requirements. Read more

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Taking LSR micromoulding down to size

Wittmann Battenfeld’s latest moulding technology developments include equipment that harnesses its expertise in liquid silicone processing and the production of micro parts. In a recent release, the Austrian company highlighted an application for the technology in a 2C process for the manufacture of a micro support ring used in industrial metrology. With a diameter of about 6mm, a height of 1.8mm and a total part weight of just 23mg, a stand-out feature of the moulding is the silicone membrane – only 20µm thick and weighing no more than 120µg.  Read more

 
MATERIALS

Nanomaterials for anti-static rubber

Sealing systems supplier Roxtec has tapped nanomaterials to develop anti-static rubber which can help control electrical charges. The company said it had ‘optimally blended’ nanomaterials such as nanotubes and graphene with rubber to create anti-static rubber for applications including cable and pipe items. Read more

RUBBER PRODUCTS
 

Circular TPUs for ‘ethical’ smartphones

Covestro AG is supplying circular thermoplastic polyurethanes to Fairphone, a Dutch social enterprise building a market for ethical smartphones. The fully and partly recycled TPUs are use in the protective case of the devices. The materials are certified according to RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) - an international standard for the traceability of recycled raw materials within supply chains.  Read more

TIRE TECHNOLOGY

All natural rubber tire

Nokian Tyres has unveiled a sustainable concept tire that is made with 93% recycled or renewable materials. All rubber used in the Green Step is natural while renewable oils such as canola oil is used for the processing of the rubber, said Nokian in a 26 Jan statement. The one-year project to design and manufacture the winter tire involved further research into alternatives to Hevea rubber, including guayule.  Read more