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PLLS 0007 - Principles of Rubber Technology

1033627
Instruction Methods Live Online
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Course Description

This course will provide a firm understanding of the essential principles of rubber and will explain its remarkable behavior. During the course, the relationship between science and engineering will be made clear. The course will explore, in detail, the principles of engineered rubber behavior and rubber chemistry. These scientific principles will be applied to the fabrication of molded rubber articles during the creation of a rubber composition suitable for a specific function.

Through this course, you’ll attain an advanced knowledge of applied rubber science, increasing customer confidence and bringing a competitive advantage to your organization.

Course Outline/Topics

The course will consist of the following:

  1. Essentials of polymer science
  2. Using polymer science to explain and predict rubber-media interactions (compatibility)
  3. Rubber crosslinking (curing/vulcanization) and importance of selection of crosslink type
  4. Engineering characteristics of rubber
  5. Differences between rubber and plastics
  6. Differences between natural rubber, bio-based rubber and synthetic rubber
  7. How rubber is classified
  8. Choosing the rubber polymer: Why choose one over the other?
  9. Designing with rubber: Precepts of “Form-Fit-Function-Safety”
  10. Essentials of rubber tooling design, taking into account the fundamentals of rubber science
  11. Essentials of creating the rubber compound: choosing the ingredients and their significance
  12. Mixing technology with the focus on mix consistency: mixer types and method development
  13. Testing and evaluating the mixed rubber compound: testing what matters vs. what’s easy
  14. Science-based rubber molding
  15. Types of rubber molding
  16. Ensuring the consistency of rubber article behavior
  17. Rubber insert molding: steel, aluminum, plastic and their surface preparations
  18. Auditing your processes: traceability

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

  • Understand why rubber behaves as it does
  • Exhibit knowledge of rubber recovery science and why it matters
  • Recognize why rubber is used as an engineering material
  • Explain the difference between different rubber polymers and what makes them unique
  • Apply knowledge to design a rubber compound for a specific function
  • Demonstrate the essential design review details for rubber molds
  • Break down the process of choosing the best mixing method for rubber compounds
  • Formulate opinions on why specific tests should be conducted to measure consistency in rubber batches
  • Analyze the differences in rubber molding methods and justify the choice of one over another
  • Develop a rubber molding process that ensures consistent performance from cavity-to-cavity and shot-to-shot
  • Create a comprehensive rubber specification based on scientific principles.
  • Evaluate the importance of rubber bonding and its connection to surface science

Who Should Attend

Professionals dealing with the principles of applied rubber who are in the areas of marketing, sales, design engineering, compounding, process development or quality control of rubber articles.

Instructors

  • Joseph Walker

Partners & Professional Credits

  • Professional Development Hours 21.0 PDHs

Applies Towards the Following Credentials

  • Elastomer Technology Certificate : Elective
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PLLS 0007 - 260505V

Expand or collapse PLLS 0007 - 260505V
May 05, 2026
Live Online
Available
$1,455.00
Section Title
Principles of Rubber Technology
Type
Live Online
Days
T, W, Th
Time
8:30AM to 4:30PM
Dates
May 05, 2026 to May 07, 2026
Schedule and Location
View Details
Contact Hours
21.0
Location
  • Online (Central Time)
Instruction Method Options
Live Online  
Course Fee(s)
Registration $1,455.00
Potential Discount(s)
  • Early Bird
CEUs
2.1 CEUs
Cancel Request Deadline
Apr 21, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
Apr 05, 2026
Instructors
  • Joseph Walker
Partners & Professional Credits
  • Professional Development Hours
Required fields are indicated by .
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Joseph Walker

Joseph Walker is owner and founder of Elastomer Technologies a firm dedicated to training in elastomer materials and process engineering, technical assessments and fit-for-function design reviews. Over the last 45+ years, Walker has conducted training for major organizations and universities. He has also consulted for various customers in the areas of composites, testing, materials and shop-floor problem solving. His focus is a heightened awareness on the science behind rubber technology and improving the overall image of the rubber industry toward one of science-bases decision making through increased educational outreach. He is also active in driving awareness to supply chain risks and threats to the US rubber industry.

For 24 years, he was held positions at Freudenberg-NOK and then Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FNST) where he retired as global technology director for materials and laboratories. In this position, he was globally responsible for overseeing advanced materials technology and management of the FNST/FST laboratories. He was also the regional USMCA leader for Chemical Regulatory Compliance for FNST.

Prior to joining Freudenberg, Walker served as silicone rubber business team leader for Wacker Silicones Corp. There, he was responsible for research, development, and sales and marketing. He was an engineering fellow for Alliant Techsystems (formally Honeywell Defense and Marine Systems), where he focused on material design, processing and application for various U.S. Department of Defense programs.

Walker also held positions at Stauffer Chemical, Phillips Petroleum and Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. He continues to conduct numerous trainings at various industry workshops, universities and events.

He was the 2012 chairman of the American Chemical Society, Rubber Division and is past-chair and board member emeritus of the Detroit Rubber Group; a founding member of the Rubber Industry Advisory Board for Ferris State University; board member of the Association of Rubber Product Manufacturers; Technical Director for the ARPM Training Academy. Additionally, he is a member of Society of Automotive Engineers, Society of Plastics Engineers, Original Equipment Suppliers Association, Automotive Industry Action Group, and the Americas Tech Team of the American Chemistry Council. A graduate of Lawrence Institute of Technology, he holds more than 20 patents and has authored and edited various chapters in text and industry publications.

Professional Development Hours

PLLS 0007 - 260505V - Principles of Rubber Technology

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Online (Central Time)

This is a real-time, scheduled class that you attend online (like on Zoom or Canvas) at the specific dates and times listed.

Live Online

Description
Synchronous instruction delivered virtually, requiring students to participate at specific dates and times. This can involve an entirely online group or students joining a live, in-person class remotely.

Registration

Early Bird

Description
Early bird available until 14 days before start date (discount rounded to nearest $).
Discount Amount
10.00%

CEUs

The continuing education unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized means to document participation in organized non-credit continuing education. One CEU is defined as 10 contact hours of participation in organized continuing education under qualified instruction. The CEU provides a vehicle for employers, professional groups, and licensing agencies to account for participation in non-credit seminars, workshops, and courses.

Joseph Walker

Joseph Walker is owner and founder of Elastomer Technologies a firm dedicated to training in elastomer materials and process engineering, technical assessments and fit-for-function design reviews. Over the last 45+ years, Walker has conducted training for major organizations and universities. He has also consulted for various customers in the areas of composites, testing, materials and shop-floor problem solving. His focus is a heightened awareness on the science behind rubber technology and improving the overall image of the rubber industry toward one of science-bases decision making through increased educational outreach. He is also active in driving awareness to supply chain risks and threats to the US rubber industry.

For 24 years, he was held positions at Freudenberg-NOK and then Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FNST) where he retired as global technology director for materials and laboratories. In this position, he was globally responsible for overseeing advanced materials technology and management of the FNST/FST laboratories. He was also the regional USMCA leader for Chemical Regulatory Compliance for FNST.

Prior to joining Freudenberg, Walker served as silicone rubber business team leader for Wacker Silicones Corp. There, he was responsible for research, development, and sales and marketing. He was an engineering fellow for Alliant Techsystems (formally Honeywell Defense and Marine Systems), where he focused on material design, processing and application for various U.S. Department of Defense programs.

Walker also held positions at Stauffer Chemical, Phillips Petroleum and Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. He continues to conduct numerous trainings at various industry workshops, universities and events.

He was the 2012 chairman of the American Chemical Society, Rubber Division and is past-chair and board member emeritus of the Detroit Rubber Group; a founding member of the Rubber Industry Advisory Board for Ferris State University; board member of the Association of Rubber Product Manufacturers; Technical Director for the ARPM Training Academy. Additionally, he is a member of Society of Automotive Engineers, Society of Plastics Engineers, Original Equipment Suppliers Association, Automotive Industry Action Group, and the Americas Tech Team of the American Chemistry Council. A graduate of Lawrence Institute of Technology, he holds more than 20 patents and has authored and edited various chapters in text and industry publications.

Professional Development Hours

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