Elastomers

E-beam technology enhances polymers with wear resistance, fatigue strength, and integrated sterilization, redefining medical implants and devices.

Using Moldflow analysis, researchers seek to optimize a rubber component in single-screw pumps, increasing the efficiency of oil production equipment.

Costa Rica, already a leader in medical device exports, is emerging as a key global hub for high-performance plastic components.

When two surfaces rub, static electricity builds as electrons move from one material to another during the contact and separation.

A new large-scale recycling method uses mechanochemical devulcanization to recover and reuse EPDM rubber, enabling circularity without performance loss.

Zinc Dodecyl Sulfate boosts rubber strength and stiffness while reducing zinc waste, offering a greener alternative to ZnO in Styrene-butadiene rubber vulcanization.

The diesel effect can occur in molds with insufficient venting, leading to burned parts in injection molding. However, several solutions can help prevent this defect.

The global medical elastomer market reached $9.57 billion in 2024, and analysts expect it to grow to $14.27 billion by 2029, with an 8.3% CAGR.

Sustainable alternatives to natural rubber can solve environmental and supply chain challenges.

Alice Fergerson, along with Emily Davidson’s team at Princeton University, has developed a breakthrough material: a 3D-printable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) that combines localized flexibility with controlled rigidity.

Plastics Engineering presents the Top 5 Extrusion Articles of 2024, featuring key advancements and troubleshooting insights.

Industry 6.0 represents the next evolution in manufacturing, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous decision-making robots, known as infobots. The progression of injection molding technology and its integration with advanced robotics offer greater efficiency and sustainability.