Sustainable rubber compounds

The combination of natural or synthetic rubber with additives such as fillers, plasticizers or vulcanizing agents enables very versatile material properties and thus the use of rubber compounds for the production of tires, seals or hoses, for example.

The goal is always to maintain and improve the unique properties of rubber compounds, such as elasticity, abrasion resistance, temperature resistance, chemical resistance, and the possibility of processing by injection molding, extrusion, or vulcanization, even when using sustainable raw materials. Crucial to this is a precise understanding of the interplay between the manufacturing process, material structure, and material properties. For example, the use of innovative image analysis methods enables a comprehensive evaluation of the multiscale filler dispersion in rubber compounds. The institute also possesses outstanding expertise in quantifying strain-induced crystallization and permeation properties of rubbers and rubber compounds.

With these competencies, technical equipment up to pilot plant scale, and the use of digital methods, customized solutions for industrial applications become possible.