Despite mature applications, advanced technology, and high volume, rubber compounding has never had a book of its own. Today, emerging applications such as tire reclamation and smoke-resistant cables combine with an industry push into engineering materials to create new kinds of compounds with new quality control problems. The Mixing of Rubber has been developed over several years in conjunction with the Farrel Corp./Connecticut Rubber Group course to educate the hands-on compounder and the end user as well. It covers machinery, mixing, process control, quality control, plant operations and mixing advice for specific compounds. Like the course, the book assumes no prior knowledge of rubber compounding but leads the technologist through the process from mix procedure to test.

The book covers the major aspects of rubber compounding. For the first time, the reader will find all relevant issues, whether it is machine design, process technology, or material parameters, covered in one comprehensive volume. - Compounding (System Description) - The Mixer - Process Technology in Compounding - Correlation between Material Parameters and the Compounding Process - Correlation between Processing and Properties for Technical Parts Made from Rubber - Properties of Synthetic Polymers during Compounding - Production of Silica Compounds - Physical Phenomena in the Manufacture of Rubber Compounds

Manufacturing rubber products requires the use of many additives. Therefore, mixing of the additives with the rubber is a very important step in the processing of rubber. There has been extensive research to try to understand the relationships between the formulation and the properties of the final product. In an industry with more than 100 years' accumulated history and a number of possible combinations of ingredients in the rubber formulation, there is an enormous amount of knowledge. However, this knowledge exists in fragments scattered as in-house 'know-how' among manufacturers and in the personal experience of the individual operators. This book organises this fragmented knowledge into a coherent whole based on scientific principles. This book is written for students, teachers and those in the rubber industry, who wish to acquire a scientific viewpoint of mixing. Last but not least it is written for the researchers in this field. With the latter in mind, subjects for future research are indicated wherever appropriate. With varied readers in mind, each chapter is written in such a way that it may be read independently from others.

This report describes the current state of the art in mixing in the rubber industry from a practical and essentially technological viewpoint. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.

The production of rubber and rubber products is a large and diverse industry. The rubber product manufacturing industry is basically divided into two major sectors: tyre and non-tyre. The tyre sector produces all types of automotive and nonautomotive tyres whereas the non-tyre sector produces high technology and sophisticated products like conveyor belts , rubber seals etc. The wide range of rubber products manufactured by the rubber industry comprises all types of heavy duty earth moving tyres, auto tyres, tubes, automobile parts, footwear, beltings etc. The rubber industry has been growing tremendously over the years. The future of the rubber industry is tied to the global economy. Rapidly growing automotive sector in developing economies and increased demand for high-performance tyres are expected to contribute to the growth of the global industrial rubber market. The current scenario reveals that there is a tremendous scope for the development of rubber processing industries. The global market for industrial rubber products is projected to increase 5.8 % per year. Investment in rubber industry is expected to offer significant opportunities in the near future and realizing returns to investors willing to explore this sector. This book deals with all aspects of rubber processing; mixing, milling, extrusion and molding, reclaiming and manufacturing process of rubber products. The major contents of the book are rubbers materials and processing, mixing technology of rubber, techniques of vulcanization, rubber vulcanization, rubber compounding, rubber reclaiming, manufacture of rubber products, latex and foam rubber, silicone rubber, polybutadiene and polyisoprene, styrene butadiene rubber, rubber natural etc. The book contains addresses of plant & machinery suppliers with their Photographs. It will be a standard reference book for professionals, entrepreneurs, those studying and researching in this important area and others interested in the field of rubber processing technology. TAGS Basic compounding and processing of rubber, Best small and cottage scale industries, Business guidance for rubber processing, Business guidance for rubber compounding, Business guidance to clients, Business Plan for a Startup Business, Business plan on Rubber, Business start-up, How is rubber made?, How to Start a Rubber business?, How to Start a Rubber Production Business, How to start a successful Rubber Processing business, How to Start Rubber processing Business, How to Start Rubber Processing Industry in India, Manufacture of Rubber Products, Modern small and cottage scale industries, Most Profitable Rubber Processing Business Ideas, Natural Rubber Processing Line, Natural rubber processing method, Natural Rubber Processing, New small scale ideas in Rubber processing industry, Opportunities in Rubber industries for new business, Processing and Profiting from Rubber, Processing methods for rubber materials, Profitable Rubber Business Ideas Small Scale Manufacturing, Profitable small and cottage scale industries, Profitable Small Scale Rubber Manufacturing, Rubber and Rubber Products, Rubber based Industries processing, Rubber Based Small Scale Industries Projects, Rubber business plan, Rubber Chemistry, Rubber compounding, Rubber Compounding & Mixing, Rubber compounding ingredients, Rubber compounding method, Rubber compounding process, Rubber compounding technology, Rubber Extrusion, Rubber Materials, Rubber mixing process, Rubber Mixing, Rubber Principles, Rubber processing, Rubber Processing & Rubber Based Profitable Projects, Rubber Processing and Profiting, Rubber Processing Business, Rubber Processing Industry in India, Rubber processing methods, Rubber Processing Projects, Rubber processing technology, Rubber Products manufacturing, Rubber Products, Rubber Reclaiming, Rubber technology, Rubber Technology and Manufacturing Process of Rubber Products, Rubber Vulcanization, Rubbers: materials and processing technology, Setting up of Rubber Processing Units, Small scale manufacturing business in rubber industry, Small Scale Rubber Processing Projects, Small scale Rubber production line, Small Start-up Business Project, Start up India, Stand up India, Starting a Rubber Processing Business, Startup, Start-up Business Plan for Rubber Processing, Startup ideas, Startup Project, Startup Project for Rubber processing and compounding, Startup project plan, Steps in processing of rubber, Vulcanization of rubber, Vulcanization of rubber compounds, Vulcanized rubber properties, Rubber processing and compounding

Since the discovery of vulcanization in the 19th century, rubber has been a major industrial product. Despite the commercial importance of the process, no comprehensive analysis of rubber mixing is currently available. This monograph is designed to fill that gap in the arsenal available for problem solving by the production engineer or the machine designer.

This report describes the current state-of-the-art in mixing from a practical viewpoint. It begins by offering historical background against which the latest developments are set. It considers both batch and continuous systems, containing details of key developments by equipment manufacturers, with the different concepts discussed in layman's terms. This report also summarises the range of mixing techniques applied in the industry as well as methods for monitoring mixing quality both off- and on-line are also covered. Recent academic research in rubber mixing is briefly considered, providing an indication of possible future practical advances in this field. This review of rubber mixing is supported by an indexed section containing several hundred key references and abstracts selected from the Rapra Abstracts database.

1 Overview of Rubber Processing p. 1 1.1 Introduction p. 1 1.2 Testing p. 2 1.2.1 Raw Materials Quality Assurance p. 2 1.2.2 Processability Testing of Mixed Compounds p. 2 1.2.3 End Product Testing p. 3 1.3 Conclusion p. 3 References p. 4 2 Raw Materials Acceptance and Specifications p. 5 2.1 Introduction p. 5 2.2 Raw Materials Specifications p. 5 2.2.1 Elastomers p. 6 2.2.2 Fillers p. 7 3 Mixing of Rubber Compounds p. 9 3.1 Introduction p. 9 3.2 Material Flow to the Mixer p. 10 3.2.1 Receipt and Storage of Raw Materials p. 11 3.2.2 Feeding, Weighing, and Charging Raw Materials p. 12 3.2.2.1 Weighing Major Ingredients p. 14 3.2.2.2 Small Component Weighing p. 14 3.3 The Mixing Process p. 15 3.3.1 Incorporation p. 16 3.3.2 Dispersion p. 17 3.3.3 Distribution p. 19 3.3.4 Plasticization p. 20 3.3.5 Natural Rubber Mastication p. 20 3.3.6 Flow Visualization and Modeling of the Mixing Process p. 20 3.3.6.1 Flow Visualization p. 21 3.3.6.2 Modeling p. 21 3.3.7 Flow Behavior on Mills p. 24 3.4 Internal Mixers p. 26 3.4.1 Developments in Internal Mixers p. 29 3.4.1.1 Farrel Mixers p. 29 3.4.1.2 Kobelco Stewart Bolling Mixers p. 30 3.4.1.3 Krupp-Midwest Werner und Pfleiderer Mixers p. 31 3.4.1.4. Pomini Mixers p. 31 3.4.2 Choosing a Mixer p. 32 3.4.3 Inspection and Preventative Maintenance of Mixers p. 32 3.4.4 Internal Mixer Operation p. 33 3.4.4.1 Mixing Procedures p. 33 3.4.4.2 Temperature Control in Internal Mixers p. 37 3.4.4.3 Rotor Speed p. 37 3.4.4.4 Ram Pressure p. 38 3.4.4.5 Batch Size p. 38 3.4.4.6 Dump Criteria p. 40 3.4.5 Control of the Mixing Process p. 41 3.4.6 Scale-Up p. 41 3.5 Take-Off Systems p. 43 3.5.1 Dump Mills p. 43 3.5.2 Packaging p. 44 3.5.3 Single Pass Mixing p. 45 3.6 Other Mixing Equipment p. 45 3.6.1 Mill Mixing p. 45 3.6.2 Continuous Mixing p. 47 3.7 Custom Compounding p. 47 3.8 Troubleshooting the Mixing Process p. 48 3.8.1 Inadequate Dispersion or Distribution p. 49 3.8.2 Scorchy Compound p. 49 3.8.3 Contamination p. 49 3.8.4 Poor Handling on Dump Mill p. 49 3.8.5 Batch-to-Batch Variation p. 49 3.9 Concluding Comments p. 50 References p. 50 4 Flow Behavior of Compounds p. 53 4.1 Introduction p. 53 4.2 Fundamentals of Rheology p. 53 4.3 Effect of Compounding Ingredients on Processing Behavior p. 58 4.3.1 Elastomers p. 58 4.3.2 Fillers p. 59 4.3.2.1 Carbon Blacks p. 59 4.3.3 Plasticizers and Processing Aids p. 60 4.3.3.1 Plasticizers p. 61 4.3.3.2 Processing Aids p. 62 4.3.4 Elasticity p. 63 4.3.5 Conclusion p. 64 References p. 64 5 Testing of Compounds After Mixing p. 65 5.1 Introduction p. 65 5.2 Processability Test Instruments p. 68 5.2.1 The Mooney Viscometer p. 68 5.2.1.1 Delta Mooney p. 69 5.2.1.2 TMS Rheometer p. 70 5.2.2 Capillary Rheometers p. 80 5.2.3 Oscillating Disk Curemeters p. 73 5.2.4 Rotorless Curemeters p. 75 5.2.5 Dynamic Mechanical Rheological Testers p. 75 5.2.6 Stress Relaxation Instruments p. 75 5.2.7 ODR Cure Times Correlation with MDR p. 77 5.3 Comparison of Alpha Technologies Processability Test Instruments p. 78 5.4 Conclusion p. 80 References p. 80 6 The Curing Process p. 83 6.1 Introduction p. 84 6.2 Scorch or Premature Vulcanization p. 84 References p. 85 7 Calendering of Rubber p. 87 7.1 Introduction p. 87 7.2 Equipment p. 87 7.3 Processes p. 88 7.3.1 Feeding p. 88 7.3.2 Sheeting p. 88 7.3.3 Frictioning p. 88 7.3.4 Coating p. 89 7.3.5 Roller Dies p. 89 7.3.6 Downstream Processes p. 90 7.4 Modeling the Calendering Process p. 90 7.5 Troubleshooting Problems in Calendering p. 91 7.5.1 Scorch p. 91 7.5.2 Blistering p. 91 7.5.3 Rough or Holed Sheet p. 91 7.5.4 Tack p. 91 7.5.5 Bloom p. 91 7.6 Conclusions p. 91 References p. 92 8 Extrusion of Rubber p. 93 8.1 Introduction p. 93 8.2 Feeding p. 93 8.2.1 Cold-Feed versus Hot-Feed Extruders p. 94 8.3 Mass Transfer, Conveying, or Pumping p. 96 8.3.1 Flow Mechanism p. 97 8.3.2 Extruder Designs p. 98 8.3.2.1 The Maillefer Screw p. 99 8.3.2.2 The Iddon Screw p. 100 8.3.2.3 The Transfermix p. 101 8.3.2.4 The EVK Screw p. 101 8.3.2.5 The Pin Barrel Extruder p. 101 8.3.2.6 The Cavity Transfer Mixer p. 102 8.3.2.7 Vented Extruders p. 104 8.3.2.8 Dump Extruders p. 104 8.3.2.9 Strainers p. 105 8.3.2.10 Extruder Barrels p. 105 8.4 Extruder Operation and Control p. 105 8.5 Shaping p. 108 8.5.1 Extruder Heads p. 108 8.5.1.1 Coextrusion p. 109 8.5.1.2 Crossheading p. 109 8.5.1.3 Shear Heads p. 109 8.5.2 Dies p. 111 8.5.2.1 Pressure Drop p. 111 8.5.2.2 Die Swell p. 111 8.6 Take-Off and Curing p. 112 8.6.1 Continuous Vulcanization Systems p. 113 8.6.1.1 Pressurized Steam Systems p. 113 8.6.1.2 Hot Air Curing Systems p. 113 8.6.1.3 Hot Air Fluidized Bed Systems p. 114 8.6.1.4 Liquid Salt Bath Systems p. 114 8.6.1.5 Microwave Systems p. 114 8.6.1.6 Shear Head Systems p. 115 8.6.1.7 Electron Beam Systems p. 115 8.6.1.8 Steel Belt Presses p. 116 8.6.1.9 Ultrasonic Vulcanization p. 116 8.7 Troubleshooting the Extrusion Process p. 116 8.7.1 Low Output Rate p. 116 8.7.2 Poor Dimensional Stability of Extrudate p. 117 8.7.3 Excessive Heat Buildup in Compound p. 117 8.7.4 Rough Surface on Extrudate p. 117 8.7.5 Contamination p. 117 8.7.6 Porosity in Extrudate p. 117 8.7.7 Strip Difficult to Feed p. 117 8.7.8 Surging Output p. 118 8.8 Concluding Comments p. 118 References p. 118 9 Molding of Rubber p. 119 9.1 Introduction p. 119 9.2 Compression and Transfer Molding p. 120 9.3 Injection Molding of Rubber p. 122 9.3.1 Injection Molding Equipment p. 125 9.3.1.1 Delivery Systems p. 125 9.3.1.2 Nozzles, Runners, and Gates p. 127 9.3.1.3 Molds p. 128 9.3.1.4 Automatic Ejection p. 129 9.3.1.5 Deflashing p. 129 9.3.2 The Injection Molding Process p. 130 9.3.2.1 Injection Temperature p. 130 9.3.2.2 Screw Speed p. 131 9.3.2.3 Back Pressure p. 131 9.3.2.4 Injection Pressure p. 131 9.3.2.5 Summary p. 131 9.3.3 Monitoring and Modeling the Injection Molding Process p. 131 9.3.4 Control of the Injection Molding Process p. 132 9.3.5 Compounds for Injection Molding p. 133 9.3.6 Problems in Injection Molding of Rubber p. 133 References p. 136 10 Finished Product Testing p. 137 10.1 Introduction p. 137 10.2 Test of Filler Distribution and Dispersion p. 138 10.2.1 Microscopy p. 138 10.2.2 Surface Roughness p. 138 10.3 Tests on Cured Specimens p. 138 10.3.1 Tensile Tests p. 139 10.3.2 Hardness p. 139 10.3.3 Compression Set p. 139 10.3.4 Solvent Resistance p. 140 10.3.5 Aging p. 140 10.3.6 Ozone Cracking p. 140 References p. 140 Index p. 143.