Chinese lab launches projects on rubber durability, simulation and acoustics

Anhui, China — The Anhui provincial key laboratory of high-performance rubber materials and products has issued a call for proposals for its 2025 open research projects.

The laboratory, supported by Anhui Zhongding Sealing Co., is seeking to address core technical challenges in rubber materials, simulation modelling, and acoustic performance, said a 14 May release by Zhongding  Group.

Three research topics identified for 2025 include simulation of stress relaxation of rubber seals under variable temperature conditions.

The project aims at building a mechanical model to accurately predict seal stress performance across the –40? to 150? temperature range. The goal is to achieve simulation accuracy greater than 90%.

Another project on durability simulation based on “EN Curve” aims to improve life prediction of rubber bushings and shock-absorbing pads.

The project seeks to balance contributions from strain amplitude and extreme values, with simulation accuracy to exceed 85% for at least three product types.

The ‘design and simulation of acoustic package products’ research will focus on electric compressor insulation systems.

Researchers will develop methods to predict the sound insulation and noise reduction performance of material combinations such as PU foam and EPDM rubber, targeting a prediction accuracy greater than 80%.

Anhui Zhongding Sealing Co. is part of the Zhongding Group, an industrial group with strong capabilities in rubber sealing technology.

The group provides rubber-based sealing and vibration control solutions for automotive, industrial, and aerospace applications.