2024 Spring Technical Meeting Abstract Book

SPRING TECHNICAL 

MEETING 

April 29-May 2, 2024 

ABSTRACT 

BOOK

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 

*Schedule is subject to change. Refer to website for latest information. 

Tuesday, April 30 

9 a.m. KEYNOTE & CHARLES GOODYEAR MEDAL ADDRESS 

Biological and Geographical Diversification of the Natural Rubber Supply: A Cornish 

Career Crusade 

Dr. Katrina Cornish, The Ohio State University 

Supply Chain in Polymers & Additives 

10:30 a.m. National Security Risk: Critical Rubber Chemical Supply - Joe Walker, Elastomer 

Technologies 

11 a.m. Are Global Supply Chains Returning to COVID Scenarios? - Whitney Luckett, Simko 

NA 

11:30 a.m. Supply Chain from a Compounding Perspective - Amanda Peak, Peak Analytics 

12 p.m. Lunch Break & Table Top Exhibits 

1:30 p.m. Raw Materials Supply Chains for Rubber Industry and Cost Efficiency - Irene 

Yurovska, YI Global & John Dick, Rubber Chemist LLC 

ATTENTION: Concurrent Sessions 1:30 – 5 p.m. on TUESDAY (See Room Identifier) 

ROOM 1 Advanced Processing & Rheology 

2 p.m. 3D and 4D Printing of Elastomers and High Performance Polymers with AI Trends – 

Fazley Elahee, Case Western Reserve University 

2:30 p.m. About the Influence of Fine Mesh Straining upon the Rheological and Physical 

Properties of Rubber Compounds - Julia Uth, UTH GmbH 

3 p.m. Break & Table Top Exhibits 

3:30 p.m. Liquid Metal Composites for Durable, Conformable Elastomer Composites - Amanda 

Koh, University of Alabama 

4 p.m. Surface-Engineered Hybrid Carbon-Silica Composites: Unveiling Properties and 

Application - Tapas R. Mohanty, Apollo Tyres 

4:30 p.m. Using Dynamic Rheology to Characterize the Thermal Stability of Raw Elastomers and 

Effects of Antioxidants - Chris Robertson, Polymer Technology Services

RUBBER DIVISION, ACS 

ROOM 2 

Virtualization & Rubber Product Development 

1:30 p.m. Performance and Composition of Medicals Gloves – A Public Health Concern - Ashley 

Herkins, Ohio State University 

2 p.m. Essentials for New Product Development, Part 1 – An Upper-level Overview Before 

Cost Collection - Robert W. Welch, Cross Country Inc. 

2:30 p.m. Essentials for New Product Development, Part 2 – A Systematic Approach for Cost 

Collection - Robert W. Welch, Cross Country Inc. 

3 p.m. Break & Table Top Exhibits 

ROOM 2 Environmental Risk: PFAS, 6PPD and More 

Chair: Malik Al-Afyouni, Flexsys 

3:30 p.m. Concentrations of 6PPD in US and European Tyres, and Emerging Alternatives, and 

Other Contaminants of Concern - James Hobday, Emissions Analytics 

4 p.m. Reducing Zinc Oxide Leach Rate in Tire Tread with Alternative Zinc Blends - Darren 

Bowers, Baerlocher 

4:30 p.m. Syensqo and PFAS: A Responsible Innovation Journey - Gregory Poterala, Syensqo 

Enhancing Durability in Autonomous Vehicles 

Wednesday, May 1 

8:30 a.m. Comparison of Cut and Chip Testing Methods - Will V. Mars, Endurica LLC 

Sustainability and Recycling Trends 

9 a.m. Biomaterials in Elastomers - Linda Botha, Suzano Canada 

9:30 a.m. Elastomeric Materials Derived from Bio-Based Sources via RAFT-Mediated 

Miniemulsion Polymerization - Uddhab Kalita, University of Melbourne 

10 a.m. Break & Table Top Exhibits 

10:30: a.m. Hydroponic Rubber Dandelion: A Sustainable Source of Natural Rubber - Nathaniel 

King-Smith, Ohio State University 

11 a.m. Metabolic engineering studies in Parthenium argentatum (guayule) - Colleen 

McMahan, USDA Agricultural Research Service 

11:30 a.m. Evaluation of Devulcanization Technologies - Erick Sharp, Ace Laboratories 

12 p.m. Science & Technology Awards Banquet


Science & Technology Awards Symposium 

2 p.m. Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award Address – Dr. Andrew Chapman, 

TAARC 

2:30 p.m. Sparks-Thomas Award Address - Dr. Radek Stoček, Polymer Research Lab & Tomas 

Bata University in Zlin 

3 p.m. George Stafford Whitby Award Address - Dr. Namita Roy Choudhury, Royal 

Melbourne Institute of Technology 

3:30 p.m. Break & Table Top Exhibits 

4 p.m. Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award Address – Gregg Patnode, 3M 

4:30 p.m. Fernley Banbury Award Address – Dr. Andreas Limper, HF Mixing 

5 p.m. Bioelastomer Award Address - Dr. David Dierig, Bridgestone Firestone USA 

Sustainability and Recycling Trends 

Thursday, May 2 

8:30 a.m. Limits and Improvement of Thermo-chemical Devulcanization of Tire Compounds - 

Ulrich Giese, German Institute for Rubber Technology (DIK) 

9 a.m. Rheology, Structure and Performance of Ultrasonically Decrosslinked Peroxide- 

Crosslinked Flexible Tubing - Avraam I. Isayev, University of Akron 

9:30 a.m. Automobile Tire Rubber Reinforces Silicone Rubber - Michael Brook, McMaster 

University 

10 a.m. Networking Break 

10:30 a.m. NEW! Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award Discussion – Gregg Patnode, 

3M (Retired) 

11:00 a.m. Bio-based Tough Elastomeric Hydrogels: Designer Superabsorbent for Sustainability - 

Naba Dutta, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology 

11:30 a.m. Utilizing Modified Fly Ash as an Alternative Rubber Filler - Eric Devney, Ohio State 

University


Abstracts 

KEYNOTE & CHARLES GOODYEAR MEDAL ADDRESS 

Biological and Geographical Diversification of the Natural 

Rubber Supply – a Cornish Career Crusade 

Dr. Karina Cornish, The Ohio State University, CFAES 

ABSTRACT 

Dr. Katrina Cornish is recipient of the 2024 Charles Goodyear Medal for outstanding contributions in 

establishing critical domestic natural rubber sources and inventing new technologies for cultivating 

transgenic plants and latex and rubber extraction 

Domestic natural rubber has had a start and stop history since Hevea natural rubber became 

such an important material. I began my own rubber research in 1987 in Arizona at the end of 

the USDA/DOD $60M funding of guayule R&D in response to the Oil Embargo and other 

petroleum supply chain issues that greatly, but transiently, increased synthetic and natural 

rubber prices. Funding ended as prices dropped. However, a new project was set up and 

funded, in the nick of time, at USDA-ARS in response to lobbying by Goodyear who wanted to 

CRADA with a complementary project at ARS. In 1989, I moved to USDA to lead the program 

to identify the key enzymes and genes involved in rubber biosynthesis and then express them 

in corn or yeast to provide an emergency, rapidly scalable, biotechnological source of natural 

rubber in the event of catastrophic crop failure or other major supply chain disruption. In 1991, 

I was able to split the project in two – one part staying true to the original goal, but the other 

seizing the opportunity to commercialize guayule latex as a solution to Type I latex allergy and 

jumpstart domestic production in normal economic times. Commercial viability in normal 

economic times remains a key component of my research, development and 

commercialization efforts. Meeting unmet needs, capitalizing on unique properties of different 

rubbers, identifying and addressing high margin, small volume markets, and avoiding direct 

competition with cheap commodity Hevea rubber and latex are all essential components of my 

program. Over my career, it has been my privilege to play a key role in the founding of many of 

the alternative rubber companies and commercial programs around the world that have joined 

my natural rubber diversification crusade


NOTES


Supply Chain 

National Security Risk: Critical Rubber Chemical Supply 

Joe Walker, Elastomer Technologies 

ABSTRACT 

The supply of critical rubber chemicals, those anti-degradants and crosslinking chemicals 

that allow the chemical conversion of the polymer compound mixture to functional articles, 

is dominated by China. The current demand for these materials far exceeds the current 

domestic production capacities. This places the United States at a significant risk of not 

being able to produce rubber articles, all rubber articles. While there was some slight 

recognition of the severity of loss of domestic production during the Covid pandemic 

relative to the manufacturing of rubber latex examination gloves, leading to the Defense 

Production Act being invoked, the depth of the issue was not fully explored. While reshoring 

of rubber production has and is taking place, the details are often not identified. 

One of the most important details is the source of the chemicals the cure and protect the 

rubber article. This presentation will address this issue factually and present an 

assessment of this supply chain risk to each of us and our nation. 

NOTES


Supply Chain 

Are Global Supply Chains Returning to COVID Scenarios? 

Whitney Luckett, Simko NA 

ABSTRACT 

The global COVID pandemic threw supply chains completely out of whack starting as early 

as December 2019. We had containers of Chinese chemicals arriving looking more like 

your grandmother’s chicken soup recipe than a modern waybill. A little bit of this, a dash of 

that, 4 shakes of this, and so on. It was 4 months before North American companies truly 

believed that they needed to slow down shipments, so inventories built up to almost 

unprecedented levels in 2020. Not only did inventories grow, but freight prices 

skyrocketed. We paid as much as USD 29,000 for a single container of goods from SE 

Asia. Over the last 12-18 months, companies all along the supply chain managed to rightsize 

their inventories and were starting to return to normal. Unfortunately, we seem to be 

sliding into another critical global supply chain period brought on by war, declining natural 

rubber production in SE Asia, climate change and the coming EUDR or European Union 

Deforestation Regulations in less than 12 months. The best news is we have been here 

before and we can handle it. We just need to plan and act accordingly. 

NOTES


Supply Chain 

Supply Chain from a Compounding Perspective 

Amanda Peak, Peak Analytics 

ABSTRACT 

A manufacturing company will bring in a number of raw materials. Some of these raw 

materials will carry more weight than others, meaning keeping the business operational 

will depend on them. They can be large in volume or small but necessary for the 

production of the end product. Many manufacturing companies compound the formulas 

and also compound decisions made around material. This is due to the systemic nature of 

materials and the ways they touch all processes and departments. How companies 

internally prepare and handle material provides options during disruptions. We will view 

larger trends happening in the world and how this can affect the internal workings of 

business. Political events will shape the rules and regulations. Material availability and 

logistics will shape the toolbox. Perception will shape the customers’ acceptance. Material 

is the necessary piece for manufacturing businesses and it categorizes an industry. 

Compounding is the math that makes its existence and future possible. It is the complex 

way the pieces add together. Let us look at the way compounding can develop a 

company’s supply chain by reviewing an example of an equivalent raw material 

substitution and an example of implementing new chemistry. 

NOTES


Supply Chain 

Raw Materials Supply Chains for Rubber Industry and Cost 

Efficiency 

Irene Yurovska, YI Global 

John Dick, Rubber Chemist LLC 

ABSTRACT 

Given the recent pandemic, global political events, and ocean freight problems, global 

supply chains are experiencing the perfect storm, and more issues can be expected. 

Meanwhile, in the US alone, the chemical industry supports 25% of gross domestic product 

(GDP), making it a powerful economic force. Raw materials and their supply chains specific 

to the rubber industry will be discussed, vital materials and possible supply disruptions will 

be addressed. 

Disruptions of supply chains reverberate down to consumers. To manage the risks and to 

assure supply chains resilience and manufacturing flexibility, rubber industry managers are 

investing in inventories, working with multiple global suppliers, and developing backup 

production plans, while assuring manufacturing cost control. However, it is frequently 

disregarded that cost efficiency is not only a function of direct manufacturing costs but is 

also strongly affected by the quality of the final products and the reliability of manufacturing 

operations. It is necessary to consider that direct costs can be lower than the cost-efficient 

solution, which optimizes cost savings, quality, and customer service, generating long-term 

value for businesses. Substitutions of raw materials and extended storage cycles can affect 

manufacturing processes and quality of the products, increasing final costs. It is suggested 

that management of change (MOC) procedures are developed and followed meticulously to 

optimize costs and assure better competitiveness for rubber industry businesses. 

NOTES


Processing & Rheology ROOM 1 

3D and 4D Printing of Elastomers and High Performance 

Polymers with AI Trends 

Fazley Elahee, Case Western Reserve University 

ABSTRACT 

Additive manufacturing (AM) plays an important role in fabricating elastomeric parts and 

objects with high complexity and high performance. The use of nanocomposites enables 

highly improved properties even with “commodity" elastomers and polymers that do not 

need to undergo high-temperature processes or extensive reformulation. With artificial 

intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) it is possible to optimize both the formulation and 

manufacturing method. Statistical and logic-derived design, including regression analysis, 

are starting points for the design of experiment (DOE) or Weibull methods in optimization 

and analysis vs trial-and-error approaches when working with polymer materials. We 

demonstrate in this talk the approaches toward understanding nanostructuring in 

elastomers, composites and hierarchical approaches in optimization via AI/ML and other 

specific properties and applications. The introduction of more sensors in AM processes and 

automation with online monitoring allows for a feedback loop and deep learning (DL) for a 

truly autonomous fabrication. We also report on 3D and 4D printing of elastomers based on 

silicone, polyurethanes, polyvinylbutylether, and thermosets based on rubber-modified 

polybenzoxazines. 

NOTES



About the Influence of Fine Mesh Straining upon the 

Rheological and Physical Properties of Rubber 

Compounds 

Julia Uth, UTH GmbH 

ABSTRACT 

The quality requirements for rubber products have been continuously growing, while at the 

same time the demand for a sustainable and economical production process is increasing. 

An important prerequisite for meeting these requirements is a clean rubber compound that is 

not contaminated by impurities. Which have been proven to lead to defects in the end 

product or an increased waste rate in production. To prevent this, rubber and silicone 

compounds are filtered through close-meshed screens. Due to small screen sizes of 20 - 

200 mesh, this process is referred to as “fine mesh straining”. To meet these demands, gear 

pumps have been proven to be beneficial in the rubber industry. The strictly volumetric 

transportation principle of the gear pump allows a gentle material treatment. It is generally 

well known that the compound properties along the process chain although are permanently 

affected by the various influences of processing machines. In order to meet the 

specifications of the final products, it is therefore important to know exactly how the 

properties of the rubber compounds are influenced by the process steps. With regard to the 

fine mesh straining process, the specific effects on the rheological and physical properties 

and the associated influence upon the end product as well as on the production process 

have not yet been fully understood. In order to examine this topic scientifically, characteristic 

rubber compounds for tires, mechanical rubber goods and silicone applications were 

examined before and after straining. Characteristic results of the study will be discussed 

during lecture. 

NOTES



Liquid Metal Composites for Durable, Conformable 

Elastomer Composites 

Amanda Koh, University of Alabama 

ABSTRACT 

Despite the wide application space and potential for devices in the soft and 

stretchable electronics field, there is still a significant lack of materials that blend 

the appropriate mechanical and electrical properties needed. To fill this gap, the 

Koh Lab focuses on composites of the room temperature liquid metal galinstan (a 

eutectic alloy of gallium, indium, and tin) in an elastomer (polydimethylsiloxane, 

PDMS, most commonly). The creating of this composite uses overhead mixing, 

but requires deep understanding of the balance between interface creation, which 

must overcome the large surface tension of liquid metals, and the viscosity of the 

pre-cured/uncured system. In my lab we have probed the impact of PDMS prepolymer 

viscosity on droplet size kinetics, equilibrium droplet size, final modulus, 

and dielectric permittivity. Furthermore, we have studied the impact of spatial 

homogeneity of the polymer composite on mechanical, electrical, and sensing 

properties as well as developed methods of creating the polymer composite to 

remove gravity-driven inhomogeneity. Our results have shown that elastomer 

composites of galinstan are uniquely able to achieve robust, stretchable material 

behavior while maintaining the desired electrical performance. 

NOTES



Surface-Engineered Hybrid Carbon-Silica Composites: Unveiling 

Properties and Application 

Tapas R. Mohanty, Apollo Tyres 

ABSTRACT 

In this research, carbon black/silica colloidal composites have been synthesized through a 

surface adsorption methodology.The innovation lies in the utilization of a unique 

biocompatible, amphiphilic, non-ionic polysorbetol monoelate ester surfactant,specifically 

chosen to augment the surface activity and wettability of CB aggregates. The surfactant 

modification sets the stage for the subsequent introduction of a metal alkoxide i.e 

tetraethoxysilane, serving as the precursor for silica precipitation in an acid-catalyzed 

reaction.The process leads to interaction between the surfactant-modified CB aggregates 

and the precipitated silica, resulting diverse configurations of CB/silica colloidal 

composites. Materials morphology have been characterized through Field emission 

scanning electron microscopy.Silica content in these composites was measured by 

chemical extraction, and the observations were further validated through energy dispersive 

x-ray (EDX) analysis. The structural arrangement of the composites were elucidated using 

x-ray diffraction (XRD). To comprehend changes in the dispersive and polar components of 

the CB-silica composite compared to conventional filler materials, surface-free energy 

studies were undertaken via inverse gas chromatography (IGC).The significance of this 

research extends direct application in the tire manufacturing industry that focuses on 

replacing conventional Carbon Black (CB) with a hybrid carbon-silica composite material. 

Different combinations of hybrid carbon-silica materials (CB-3% Si, CB-5% Si, and CB-7% 

Si) were used in rubber composites as active filler. A marked enhancement in mechanical 

properties, wear resistance, and wet traction were observed with 5% silica hybridization 

emerging as the most promising combination. 

NOTES



Using Dynamic Rheology to Characterize the Thermal 

Stability of Raw Elastomers and Effects of Antioxidants 

Chris Robertson, Polymer Technology Services 

ABSTRACT 

An important part of quality analysis for raw materials in the rubber industry is comparing 

the thermal stability of raw elastomers (gum polymers) from alternate sources. Thermal 

stability testing is also required for screening the efficacy of new antioxidants (AOs) / 

stabilizers for rubber compounds, which has recently grown in emphasis given the ongoing 

search for alternatives to the widely used multi-functional stabilizer, 6PPD, due to 

environmental concerns when used in tires. The Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA) is an 

effective characterization tool for these testing needs, as oscillatory shear rheology is 

sensitive to aging-induced changes in polymer macrostructure, and the sealed cavity 

design of the RPA provides a low oxygen testing environment comparable to the internal 

components of rubber products. RPA frequency sweep testing at 140 °C as a function of 

annealing time (time-resolved rheometry) reveals progressive branching / crosslinking for 

polymers such as butadiene rubber (BR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), whereas 

natural rubber (NR) displays the rheological signatures of chain scission. Ethylenepropylene-diene 

rubber (EPDM) and isobutylene-isoprene rubber (IIR; butyl rubber) – 

which are predominantly saturated polymers – show more stable behavior using the same 

testing protocol. The stabilization effects of various types and amounts of AOs on BR and 

NR at 140 °C and 180 °C will be discussed, using results from the sealed cavity RPA (low 

oxygen) and a scientific rheometer with an air environment (high oxygen). We will also 

show how dynamic rheology can detect thermal stability differences for BR samples from 

different suppliers. 

NOTES


Rubber Product Development ROOM 2 

Performance and Composition of Medicals Gloves – A 

Public Health Concern 

Ashley Herkins, Ohio State University 

ABSTRACT 

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the demand for medical 

gloves in the United States surged to unprecedented levels. Many overseas 

manufacturers took advantage of this high demand and flooded the market with 

substandard gloves that failed to meet even the minimum standards set by 

regulatory agencies such as the FDA and ASTM International. To objectively 

identify which varieties of medical gloves are substandard, a novel device termed 

the Glove Assessment Device (GAD) was used to test the durability of a wide 

selection of gloves available on the market in both dry and wet environments. 

Data collected using the GAD revealed that V-glove brand nitrile gloves were 

especially flimsy compared to other brands of nitrile gloves, which lead to a 

second investigation as to the true polymer composition of the “nitrile” gloves. 

Through FTIR and NMR analyses, V-glove brand gloves were found to be 

composed of polyvinyl chloride; not nitrile as advertised on the gloves’ packaging. 

These findings raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of medical gloves 

entering the market because inadequate protection puts healthcare workers at 

serious risk for disease exposure. 

NOTES


Rubber Product Development ROOM 2 

Essentials for New Product Development 

Part 1 – An Upper-level Overview Before Cost Collection 

Part 2 – A Systematic Approach for Cost Collection 

Robert W. Welch, Cross Country Inc. 

ABSTRACT 

This presentation is a distillation of 50 years of accumulated personal experiences with 

new product development. My experiences are almost equally divided between 

aerospace/defense and commercial products. This presentation is offered as a guideline 

and will attempt to demystify/standardize the methodology of “New Product Development”. 

The development of any new product can be a disruptive and risk-filled opportunity for any 

business and is not often accurately assessed for risk and failure, but often overshadowed 

by a focus on the upside potential and growth for the business. Part 1 of this presentation 

presents a logical and understandable approach for decision makers with concentration 

on three main areas: Preliminary screening; Risks and disruptions; Team dynamics. 1. A 

three-step screening process helps understand and define the customer’s needs, and 

produce a framework of the Quality, Cost and Schedule requirements. The end result is a 

consensus agreement shared with all project participants prior to proceeding with the cost 

collection phase of the project. 2. Discussing the risks/disruptions should be considered 

and are defined in one simple acronym (FILCO). 3. A standard, four-quadrant personality 

profiler is often useful to business management when selecting team members and 

analyzing team dynamics. The goal is to create a cohesive team that both work (and play) 

well together, are committed to the customer’s needs, and are effectively led? 

Part 2 offers a systematic approach for collecting the cost associated with developing a 

new product. A successful product development effort depends on three factors: On-time 

delivery; Satisfying quality objectives; and Cost control. Most product rollouts miss these 

targets not because of a poor estimate, but because something was missed altogether. A 

more standardized approach for cost collection is required. Accurate cost collection (or 

justifiable cost estimates) for products in the rubber manufacturing industry can be 

grouped into five different categories: Materials; Equipment; Tooling; Processes; and 

People. Using easily understood flowchart methodology, for each of the five categories, 

the user is presented with a series of known and unknown conditions that must be 

considered and satisfied before proceeding to the final goal of complete cost capture. The 

standardized approach offered in this presentation for cost collection may help reduce the 

opportunity for overlooking a cost detail, assist with the managerial review and can be 

tailored to a specific business or product.


Environmental Risk ROOM 2 

Concentrations of 6PPD in US and European Tyres, and 

Emerging Alternatives, and Other Contaminants of Concern 

James Hobday, Emissions Analytics 

ABSTRACT 

This presentation will discuss an approach to testing for 6PPD in tyres and environmental 

samples. We will present the range of concentrations observed across test programme of 

hundred tyres in the US and Europe; Potential alternatives to 6PPD following the California 

DTSC rule; Observed concentrations of these alternatives in tyres in the US and Europe; 

Other contaminants of potential concern detected, and reasons for concern. 

NOTES



Reducing Zinc Oxide Leach Rate in Tire Tread with 

Alternative Zinc Blends 

Darren Bowers, Baerlocher 

ABSTRACT 

With zinc oxide being classified as “dangerous for the environment” and “very toxic to 

aquatic organisms” by the EC Council Directive 2004/73/EC ZnO, there is a desire to lower 

the environmental impact of tire-sourced zinc oxide by reducing leachability. Baerlocher has 

been developing proprietary composite zinc oxide and stearic acid blends aimed at 

lowering the leach rate of zinc into water from sources such as tire wear particles. This 

study compares commonly used French process zinc oxide and rubber grade stearic acid 

to two specialized and proprietary Baerlocher blends: Baeropol SRA 2313 R - a 1:3 stearic 

acid to zinc oxide blend; and Baeropol SRA 2311 R - a 1:1 stearic acid to zinc oxide blend. 

The blends were evaluated in a silica filled tire tread compound and, in addition to zinc 

leachability, properties such as cure characteristics, Payne effect, tire performance 

indicators from DMA testing, and physical properties such as tensile, elongation, modulus 

and tear strength were evaluated. Loading levels of the Baeropol blends were varied to 

explore the optimum loading level for the minimum zinc leaching with minimal effect on the 

compound’s physical performance. 

NOTES



Syensqo and PFAS: A Responsible Innovation Journey 

Gregory Poterala, Syensqo 

ABSTRACT 

The EU is working on a very broad PFAS restriction proposal, which is subject to a review 

process over the next two years. Among the long list of 9,000 PFAS substances under OECD 

definition, they have included fluoropolymers, even though these meet the OECD criteria of 

Polymers of Low Concern. Fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers play a critical role in a more 

sustainable future due to their unique chemical and temperature resistant properties. 

Fluoropolymers are chemically inert, solid materials. They are non-toxic, not bioavailable, 

non-water soluble and non-mobile molecules and are deemed as such to have no significant 

environmental and human health impacts. Hence, they should not be treated the same as 

some other PFAS substances such as fluorosurfactants , like PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, or others. 

Syensqo has been innovating to find alternatives for the PFAS substances that may trigger 

concern, which is why our focus has been on phasing out the use of fluorosurfactants. This 

presentation will highlight key applications that benefit from the use of fluoroelastomers. We 

will also present our strategy for phasing out the use of fluorosurfactants in our production 

processes. 

NOTES


Durability in Autonomous Vehicles 

Comparison of Cut and Chip Testing Methods - Will V. Mars, Endurica LLC 

Comparison of Cut and Chip Testing Methods 

Will V. Mars, Endurica LLC 

ABSTRACT 

Achieving correlation between lab test and application requires a suitable matching of test 

conditions with application conditions, and it requires corresponding control and 

measurement. In the case of cut and chip phenomena, the equivalence between test and 

application arises from the details (geometry, timing, frictional properties) of the repeated 

impacts that drive surface damage and material removal. We undertake in this work to 

compare two procedures for studying cut and chip behavior: 1) a widely practiced, 

traditional procedure originated by researchers at BF Goodrich, and 2) a relatively new 

procedure introduced by Coesfeld Gmbh. A series of rubber compounds with varying 

stiffnesses were tested using both procedures. The results illustrate an inherent problem 

with the BF Goodrich procedure: that the conditions of impact depend on sample stiffness in 

a way that prevents sufficient control, and that results in unknown and highly variable 

normal and shear forces. The Coesfeld procedure addresses these deficiencies, allowing 

control and measurement of the following conditions: normal and shear loads, overall 

impact cycle rate, and contact time. 

NOTES


Sustainability 

Biomaterials in Elastomers 

Linda Botha, Suzano Canada 

ABSTRACT 

Sustainability remains a challenge throughout the whole lifecycle of elastomeric 

compounds, including the sourcing of raw materials, environmental emissions, 

toxicity during use and disposing of end-of life materials. Significant advances 

have been made in the areas of reduced CO2 emissions and recovery of carbon 

from end-of-life tires. Toxic effects from tire road wear particles however remain a 

concern and it is challenging to match the performance of the full range of virgin 

carbon blacks with recovered carbon or reduced energy alternatives. Natural 

fillers and additives provide some benefits e.g. being renewable, abundant and 

non-toxic, and they typically don’t have the same upstream energy requirements 

as the aforementioned options. One of their major challenges, however, relates to 

their technical performance, due to their larger particle size and chemical 

incompatibility with most elastomers, resulting in dispersion limitations. We 

present here the evaluation of Suzano’s bioproducts, including lignin and microfibrillated 

cellulose (MFC), as renewable by-products from kraft pulping, in a 

variety of rubber matrices and formulations. We also focused on the optimization 

of their introduction and dispersion in rubber and identified some areas where 

these natural materials provided unique performance benefits, thus enhancing 

the potential for sustainability without compromised performance. 

NOTES



Elastomeric Materials Derived from Bio-Based Sources via 

RAFT-Mediated Miniemulsion Polymerization 

Uddhab Kalita, University of Melbourne 

ABSTRACT 

Elastomers and materials with elastomeric properties play pivotal roles across diverse 

fields, including automotive, construction, flexible electronics, footwear, adhesives, and 

biomedical applications. The predominant use of synthetic elastomeric products, however, 

relies heavily on petroleum-based resources. In light of the depletion of such resources, 

there is a growing interest in harnessing bio-based alternatives for the production of 

elastomers and elastomeric materials. This study presents the development of bio-based 

elastomeric materials using terpene monomers. The copolymerization involved a terpene 

monomer and a Glyco-based or bio-based acrylate monomer through RAFT-mediated 

miniemulsion polymerization. The resulting copolymers exhibited well-controlled molecular 

weight and a narrow polydispersity index (Đ). The elastomeric property was attributed to 

the terpene component, while the glyco/acrylate component contributed to the material's 

strength. This bio-based elastomeric material demonstrated commendable mechanical 

properties and recyclability. Moreover, it displayed excellent film-forming capability and 

transparency. The biocompatibility of the elastomeric material was confirmed through MTT 

assays, indicating its suitability for potential biomedical applications such as the production 

of patches and catheter pipes. 

NOTES



Hydroponic Rubber Dandelion: A Sustainable Source of 

Natural Rubber 

Nathaniel King-Smith, Ohio State University 

ABSTRACT 

Global rubber demand is increasing whilst there is a lack of available space to increase 

rubber tree acreage without massive deforestation. Therefore, domestication and cultivation 

of alternative rubber-producing plants is becoming a necessity. Rubber dandelion, 

Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TK), produces natural rubber in its roots. TK is a leading alternative 

rubber-producing plant species that can be grown in hydroponics in a controlled 

environment, eliminating issues this plant faces in the field such as weed pressure, soil 

contamination of the roots, and short growing seasons. Another unique attribute of the 

hydroponic system compared to field production is the ability to repeatedly harvest roots 

from the same plants, greatly increasing potential annual yield. This presentation describes 

comparisons of two techniques which were used for hydroponic production of rubber 

dandelion roots. TK roots were grown in a custom-built ebb and flood/aeroponic hybrid 

research system as well as a commercial aeroponic Tower Garden hydroponic system. Root 

size, rubber contents, and rosette sizes were compared across repeated harvests of the 

same plants in each system. The hydroponic production system may produce seven 

harvests/year of roots, yielding much more root biomass that a single field crop grown in 

Ohio soils, and so can produce much more rubber than one field harvest per year. 

NOTES



Metabolic engineering studies in Parthenium argentatum 

(guayule) 

Colleen McMahan, USDA Agricultural Research Service 

ABSTRACT 

The United States, and most industrial countries, remain dependent on imported natural 

rubber (cis-1, 4 polyisoprene) from Hevea brasiliensis to meet transportation, medicine, and 

defense needs. In response to biological and geopolitical risks associated with imported 

supply from a single species, public and private research and development continue to 

focus on other rubber producing plants including guayule (Parthenium argentatum). 

Metabolic engineering of the isoprenoid pathway is at the commercial stage for microbial 

systems and shows potential for natural rubber yield improvements in plants. We will share 

results from engineering of natural rubber and terpene resins in guayule, in laboratory and 

field experiments. Abiotic stress (cold, wounding, drought) consistently enhanced rubber 

biosynthesis but results to date do not support global transcriptional control mechanisms. 

Still, biosynthesis of different terpene ‘resin’ compounds/classes is at times associated with 

environmentally induced transcriptional control of pathway genes. Insights from a 

collaborative JGI-supported examination of genomic structure and the molecular response 

to stress in guayule will be shared. 

NOTES



Evaluation of Devulcanization Technologies 

Erick Sharp, Ace Laboratories 

ABSTRACT 

This study evaluates many of the top devulcanized technologies for ground tire rubber. 

Evaluation factors include percentage of devulcanization, viscosity stability, rate of 

relinking, performance in application, scalability, and commercialization. 

NOTES


Awards Symposium 

Mevin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award Address 

Dr. Andrew Chapman, TAARC 

Comparison of the Chemistry of Sulfur Vulcanization of 

Different Rubber 

ABSTRACT 

The chemistry of sulfur vulcanization, and the role of zinc, was compared in natural and 

several synthetic rubbers. The zinc oxide content in sulfur-vulcanized compounds of NR, 

EPDM and emulsion SBR can be reduced to about 2 phr. However, in the case of solution 

SBRs and the high-vinyl solution SBR/cis-BR blends used in passenger tyre treads, much 

larger reductions of zinc oxide level, from 3 phr down to 0.5 phr, or even removing zinc oxide 

completely, are feasible. Parallel studies indicated that the crosslinking chemistry in the 

solution SBR is quite different from that found in NR, with negligible monosulfidic crosslinking 

and much carbon-carbon crosslinking. It is proposed that the radically different crosslinking 

chemistry occurring in the solution SBRs, and also in BR, is the cause of the markedly 

different sensitivity to zinc oxide. In sulfur crosslinking of NR, zinc oxide is consumed and 

zinc sulfide is produced, with zinc-accelerator complexes thought to play a key role in 

inserting the crosslinks. In BR and solution SBR, radical processes are more likely and the 

complexes are less involved. It is believed that the carbon-carbon crosslinks in solution SBR 

are forming by radical addition to the vinyl groups 

NOTES



Sparks-Thomas Award Address 

Dr. Radek Stoček, Polymer Research Lab & Tomas Bata 

University in Zlin 

Predicting Tire Degradation Behaviour in Service Based 

on Laboratory Rubber Analysis 

ABSTRACT 

Tire wear behaviour and service life are mainly influenced by the rubber composition. There 

are expectations regarding noise, grip, rolling resistance and comfort, stability, safety as well 

as environmental friendliness. Furthermore, the biggest challenge in tire development is to 

extend tire life by increasing resistance to degradation that leads to increased tire wear so 

as to reduce overall costs and pollution and increase sustainability in order to save material 

and energy resources. The challenge, however, is to simulate the real behaviour of tire 

rubber in the field on test samples under laboratory conditions as well as to establish 

correlations between available laboratory tests and actual tire behaviour in the 

field. Therefore, this presentation first provides a brief introduction to the theory of rubber 

fracture mechanics leading to wear and shows why traditional analyses predict different 

behaviour of rubber in laboratory conditions than for a tire in service. The mainstay of the 

presentation is the introduction of unique novel methods, and advanced measurement 

equipment, which can be used to obtain very reliable experimental results that match the 

theory of fracture mechanics very well and correlate much better the rubber behaviour under 

lab oratory conditions with the actual behaviour of tires in service. Finally, it will be shown 

how powerful these advanced laboratory methods are and how the behaviour of tires in 

service can be effectively predicted based on experimental analysis and data. 

NOTES



George Stafford Whitby Award Address 

Dr. Namita Roy Choudhury, Royal Melbourne Institute of 

Technology 

Advanced Biomimetic Elastomer Platform 

ABSTRACT 

Elastomeric proteins are widely distributed in vertebrates (e.g, human arterial wall, skin, 

heart valve and uterine tissues) and invertebrates (e.g. insect hindleg). They possess 

exceptional elasticity and fatigue life as well as unique mechanical properties. However, 

only a few of them have been structurally investigated. Biomimetic elastomers based on 

intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), such as elastin-mimics, resilin-mimics and 

flagelliform spider silk have recently gained significant interest to understand the molecular 

basis of their elasticity and reproducing superior functional materialsm This talk will cover a 

wide spectrum of elastomers ranging from conventional to bio-elastomer to biomimetic 

elastomers and focus specifically on our recent research on biomimetic elastomers. We 

have demonstrated that these IDPs could be toughened to obtain the required elasticity 

and used as 3D gels, nanoparticles, fibres and injectable gels. The biological properties of 

these biomaterials can also be tuned by protein engineering or by fusion with other protein 

and bioactive domains to control cell response for a wide range of tissue engineering 

applications (e.g. spinal disc, and cartilage). In our work, we have also demonstrated that 

photodynamic crosslinking provides a unique platform for processing them with many 

features. These elastomeric soft materials have significant potential in biomedical 

applications for their responsiveness, remarkable self-assembly behaviour, high resilience 

(elasticity), fatigue lifetime (durability), high water uptake, excellent biocompatibility and 

biological activity. 

NOTES



Fernley Banbury Award Address 

Dr. Andreas Limper, HF Mixing 

Making Rubber Compounding more Efficient and 

Sustainable 

ABSTRACT 

The production of rubber compounds is an energy-intensive process. Mixers have drive 

powers of up to 3,000 KW and the downstream equipment is also powerful. From the early 

days of rubber processing to the present day, the efficiency of compound production has 

improved by at least a factor of 5. However, new technologies will ensure that further 

significant reductions in specific energy consumption are achieved. The starting points for 

this are, on the one hand, mechanical developments such as tandem mixing. This 

technology was introduced just after the turn of the millennium and is now used on a large 

scale in the tire industry. The presentation will evaluate the efficiency of this mixing process 

in comparison to conventional production; the tasks of the tire industry in particular will be 

discussed. In a final balance of an entire mixing line, great saving potentials can be shown. 

In addition to these developments in mechanical engineering, the use of artificial 

intelligence will also lead to significant improvements in mixing processes. The paper will 

show approaches for their optimization by ai. The application of evolutionary process 

optimization will specially be demonstrated using the example of final mixing. Finally, 

perspectives for modeling the mixing process can also be presented in the area of the 

production of masterbatches. A holistic view of a real mixing line also shows potential 

savings of up to 20% in terms of specific energy consumption. 

NOTES



Bioelastomer Award Address 

Dr. David Dierig, Bridgestone Firestone USA 

A Path to Establishing Guayule as a Domestic Source of 

Natural Rubber 

ABSTRACT 

There have been many attempts to develop guayule as a source of natural rubber (NR) in 

the U.S since the early 1900’s. Government and private companies in the past have made 

efforts that, although have added to the body of knowledge, have been unsuccessful. The 

challenges have been: 1) lack of progress to improve rubber yield due to asexual-like 

(apomixis) reproduction; 2) economical large-scale establishment of production fields; 3) 

construction expense of an extraction facility; and 4) off-take agreements for 

coproducts. Bridgestone Americas has heavily invested since 2012 and overcome or made 

significant progress on these challenges and demonstrated a model of public and private 

partnerships to achieve the goal of domestic production of NR. The ability to establish 

production fields with growers at a low cost on hundreds of acres has been demonstrated 

and other agronomic practices improved. A demonstration-scale rubber extraction facility 

has been operating in Arizona since 2014. A breeding strategy is implemented for rubber 

yield improvement. Samples of coproducts are being distributed to interested 

partners. Research and Development has been enhanced by University and USDA 

participation and Federal grants. 

NOTES


NOTES


Sustainability (Day 2) 

Limits and Improvement of Thermo-chemical 

Devulcanization of Tire Compounds 

Ulrich Giese, German Institute for Rubber Technology (DIK) 

ABSTRACT 

Over the world even over 13.5 million tons of used tires are generated . Regarding to realize 

the circular economy, feedstock recycling of sulfur-crosslinked elastomers in new rubber 

compounds is particularly desirable. EU Directive 2000/53 also requires that at least 80% of 

"End of Life Tires" (ELT) be recycled. The challenge heret is he fact that the elastomers 

used consist of chemically cross-linked polymers (rubbers). These cannot be melted and 

formed like thermoplastics or metal and the incorporation of waste rubber as rubber crumb 

or powder into new elastomer compounds is associated with a high loss of material 

properties. Under these conditions, improved chemical, mechanical and physical recycling 

methods are necessary. Especially chemical recycling by improved devulcanizaition process 

is of high interest and was objective of the study performed. Devulcanization was carried out 

on NR- and SBR-based tread compounds using various chemical degradation aids. The 

devulcanization agents were optimally distributed in the rubber matrix by means of a new 

process and the materials were subsequently devulcanized thermo-chemically. The 

devulcanization success was quantified and evaluated by means of sol/gel analysis. The 

devulcanization process used was found to be highly selective with respect to the 

degradation of crosslinking sites. 

NOTES



Rheology, Structure and Performance of Ultrasonically 

Decrosslinked Peroxide-Crosslinked Flexible Tubing 

Avraam I. Isayev, University of Akron 

ABSTRACT 

Ultrasonic decrosslinking of peroxide-crosslinked flexible LDPE tubing (PEX-A) in TSE at 

different processing temperatures, flow rates and ultrasonic amplitudes was investigated. 

Structure, tensile, thermal and dynamic properties were studied. Tensile and thermal 

properties of decrosslinked PEX-A were insignificantly affected by flow rate, but strongly 

affected by amplitude. Higher temperature resulted in lower crystallinity and higher 

crosslink density. Increase of amplitude led to decrease of crosslink density and gel 

fraction. These findings were supported by SEM. Cole-Cole plots revealed that at highest 

amplitude of 13 µm decrosslinked PEX-A becomes more decrosslinked with its molecular 

structure becoming closer to that of virgin LDPE regardless of temperature. Extracted sol 

showed resemblance to virgin LDPE due to some chains being originally uncrosslinked. 

Storage modulus and complex viscosity of sol were lower than those of original LDPE. 

Temperature dependence of storage and loss moduli, tan δ of crosslinked and 

decrosslinked PEX-A was measured. Storage and loss moduli at 25℃ showed increasing 

trend with amplitude. Minimum and maximum of tan δ and corresponding temperatures 

increased with amplitude. Virgin LDPE and ultrasonically decrosslinked PEX-A processed 

at 200°C, at amplitude of 13 µm and flow rate of 2 lb/hr were, respectively, shown modulus 

of 311 MPa and 156 MPa, yield stress of 7.1 MPa and 8.6 MPa, stress at break of 14.5 

MPa and 11.6 MPa, yield strain of 0.13 and 0.24, strain at break of 3.9 and 3.9 

NOTES



Automobile Tire Rubber Reinforces Silicone Rubber 

Michael Brook, McMaster University 

ABSTRACT 

Tire automobile rubber is typically something in need of reinforcement, rather than a 

reinforcing agent in its own right. We demonstrate the crumb from used automobile tires is 

readily surface modified with silicones (TCR-Si). The crumb is highly reinforcing in silicone 

elastomers cured using moisture (RTV), but inhibits cure by radicals or Pt-catalyzed 

hydrosilylation. The organic rubber provides significant cost benefit but surprisingly few 

detriments to silicone elastomer and foam performance. Elongation at break drops by a 

small margin when 40wt% of crumb is utilized; durometer increases, as the tire crumb is 

typically much harder than silicone rubber, so it is easy to independently tune hardness and 

extension. The combustion of tire crumb in flame tests is much lower when doped in the 

silicone that, shortly after exposure to flame, develops a protective silica layer. Organic 

rubber and especially silicone have significant carbon footprints. The re-use of the tire 

shrinks that footprint with each utilization and we demonstrate that crumb is readily 

recovered for reuse when the silicone undergoes depolymerization to give oils that can be 

reused in place of virgin silicones. The high quality of automobile tire rubber can be reused 

multiple times when ‘upvalued’ in a silicone elastomer that exhibits enhanced circularity. 

NOTES



Bio-based Tough Elastomeric Hydrogels: Designer 

Superabsorbent for Sustainability 

Naba Dutta, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology 

ABSTRACT 

Elastomeric hydrogels are unique polymer materials that can absorb and retain extremely 

large amounts of water/liquid relative to their mass (>>100 times), while remaining tough 

and elastic. They have revolutionized modern life and are utilised in every sector, more 

specifically in hygiene, medicine and electronics [1-3]. For example, superabsorbent 

hydrogels (SAHs) have completely changed the personal care market. SAHs are designed 

to hold large quantities of fluids safely, such as in baby diapers/nappies, incontinence 

products, and feminine hygiene pads and liners. Sodium polyacrylate, which is largely 

obtained from non-renewable resources and is not biodegradable, makes up the majority of 

SAHs. An estimated 12 billion sanitary pads are thrown away annually in the US alone [4]. 

They contribute to environmental damage and contaminating water. In this talk, I will cover 

our latest research on elastomeric hydrogels based on bio-polymers, biomimetic proteinpolymers 

[2,5] and plant-protein-based polymers [6-8]. They are derived from renewable 

resources. We will also demonstrate that plant-derived biopolymers and proteins and their 

functionalized product have the potential to offer a new platform for the development of 

sustainable, eco-friendly and biodegradable SAHs [8-10]. Overall, the study has 

demonstrated that the use of biomimicry can yield new avenues for the quick development 

of innovative functional elastomeric hydrogels. 

NOTES



Utilizing Modified Fly Ash as an Alternative Rubber Filler 

Eric Devney, Ohio State University 

ABSTRACT 

Carbon fly ash is a byproduct of the coal burning process, and it has shown 

great promise as a rubber filler material as a partial replacement of 

conventional carbon black. A surface modification coating has been 

developed to increase the hydrophobicity of fly ash, as its normally 

hydrophilic surface leads to poor polymer-filler interactions. Carbon black 

N234 and modified fly ash were tested in combination to determine if the 

physical properties of cured rubber compound would be significantly 

changed. It was discovered that compounds created with lower amounts fly 

ash have similar mechanical properties to control samples made only with 

carbon black, while higher loadings lead to softer, more viscous compounds. 

The surface modifications of fly ash led to a stronger material than when 

unmodified fly ash was used. Thus, modified fly ash can be used to replace 

up to 10-20% of carbon black, while higher replacements lead to poorer 

performance of the cured composites. 

NOTES


NOTES


CALL FOR ABSTRACTS 

2024 International Elastomer Conference 

Fall Technical Meeting & Student Symposium 

The Technical Meeting will be organized 

into the following topics: 

• Life Cycle Assessment 

• Sustainable Materials & Processes 

• Environmental Risk: PFAS, 6PPD & Other 

Materials of Concern 

• Elastomers in Electric Vehicles: Tires, 

Batteries & Other Applications 

• Responsive Elastomers: Smart, Selfhealing 

& Electro Responsive Materials 

• Rubber Reinforcement 

• Polymer Degradation & Stabilization 

• Characterization & Testing of Rubber 

Compounds & Constituents 

• Chemical Modeling 

• Finite Element Analysis & Modeling 

• OTR, Military & Heavy Tires 

• Advances in Materials & Processes for 

Tires 

• Elastomers in Sporting Goods 

• Silicone Elastomers & Compounds 

• New Commercial Developments 

Submit Your Abstract 

htps://iec2024.events.rubber.org 

Abstract Deadline: May 19, 2024 

Student Symposium - Open to Undergraduate and Graduate students in 

Rubber/Polymer chemistry and engineering programs. 

• Oral Presentations: Student participants give oral presentations in the Technical Meting sessions listed above. 

• Poster Session: Separate poster session held on EXPO floor and near Technical Meying sessions. 

• Financial prizes for Best Poster and Best Oral Presentation.

2024 Spring Technical Meeting Abstract Book

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