Bridgestone has successfully decoded the main genome sequence for Hevea brasiliensis, a euphorbiaceous plant material for producing latex – commonly known as the rubber tree – which produces latex. Latex is the natural rubber required for tyre production and a…
Category: Technology
Vredestein makes Tyre prototypes from Russian dandelions, guayule
Apollo-Vredestein Banden N.V., a subsidiary of India’s Apollo Tyres, has made prototype tyres using natural rubber sourced from Russian dandelions and guayule. The development is part of the firm’s involvement in the EU-Pearls project, which is developing two alternatives for…
Flame-retardant cables and hoses mark new level of safety
DuPont in collaboration with wire and cable makers have developed optimum formulations using Vamac to create flame-retardant cables and hoses. These products offer better performance in terms of safety, durability and ease of installation with insulation and jacketing compounds. According…
Lower temperature silicone process
Austrian machine maker Engel has widened the opportunities for multi-component technology with a new process for silicone vulcanisation at low temperatures, which it showcased at a symposium by producing wine bottle stoppers. Whereas conventional silicone rubbers require high temperatures for…
Condom made of NRL
US-based Vystar, the creator of Vytex natural rubber latex, and RitexGummiwarenfabrik, a German condom and lubricant manufacturer, have launched an ultra-thin condom made with Vytex. The latter is a patented, all-natural raw material that is said to reduce the total…
Using silicone foam to improve productivity
Perched on a cup of cappuccino or a glass of beer, foam can be pleasing. But in a manufacturing process, foam can cause vessels to overflow, increasing maintenance costs and processing time and reducing production efficiency. Hence, it is in…
New elastomer coating
US-based NuSil Technology, a specialist in silicone materials for the aerospace, aircraft and automotive industries, has launched R-2183, a low-viscosity silicone elastomer dispersed in xylene. The elastomer is said to retain elasticity at very low temperatures (down to -140°C) as…
Michelin to launch communicating tyre in Olympic games
By combining a tyre pressure monitoring system and radio frequency identification chips, the tyre maker is enabling public transport operators in London to enhance the safety of the tyres fitted on their buses
New material enables stretchy electronics
By combining a liquid metal in a porous polymer, the researchers achieved 200% stretchability in a material that does not suffer from stretch
Bridgestone to debut top tyre grade
Come October 1, Bridgestone Europa will introduce its A/A rated tyre Ecopia in the United Kingdom. The tyre has top A grades on both fuel efficiency and wet grip and is the first product in the industry to achieve the…