University of Massachusetts Lowell Course: Processing of Elastomers (PLAS 5500)

Spring Semester 2025 (January 21 – May 8), 3 credit hours

Location: This is an asynchronous online course that is delivered in pre-recorded video lectures and supported by live online (Zoom/Blackboard collaborate) office hours with instructor Dr. Jay Park for one hour each week. The weekly lectures can be viewed remotely on your computer, tablet or mobile phone at convenient times from the comfort of your home or office.

Format: The online course takes place in weekly installments across the 15-week semester (3 credit hours). The course is delivered in pre-recorded video lectures with closed captioning and supported by live online office hours with the instructor (Zoom; one hour each week). Course activities include interactive discussion board participation, homework assignments, design project and final exam.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the principles of elastomers, processing, and its applications for both traditional and emerging areas. The focus will be on thermoset elastomers with traditional processing such as vulcanization, extrusion and molding, but there will also be discussion of 3d printing and fiber spinning. Lectures will cover the overview of elastomeric materials, curing, processing techniques and applications. There are no prerequisites for the course, but students should have sound knowledge of basic polymer physics, processing and materials science. Students are required to view recorded lectures prior to online discussions of the course materials. Students are also encouraged to share their experience and knowledge pertaining to elastomer processing.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify and relate elastomer material types and their properties
• Understand and identify rubber compounding processes and identify additives and process aids
• Understand and apply elastomer rheological measurement and its implications for processing
• Communicate effectively regarding the proper selection, processing techniques, and use of elastomers in commercial applications
• Identify relevant literature on elastomer and critically review and present them
• Discuss contemporary issues relating to elastomer processing research

Topics Covered:

• Introductions, Definitions of Elastomer and Type
• Introduction to Rubber Compounding
• Fillers and Additives
• Physical Testing of Rubber
• Processing Methods of Rubber – Part I: Mixing, Extrusion and Calendaring
• Processing Methods of Rubber – Part II: Molding
• Vulcanization of Rubber – Sulfur
• Vulcanization of Rubber – Peroxide and Testing
• Literature Review Introduction
• Tire Engineering
• General Purpose Elastomer – Grades and Processing
• Solvent-Resistant Elastomer – Material and Processing
• Temperature-Resistant Elastomer – Material and Processing
• Thermoplastic Elastomer and Rubber Recycling
• Wrap-up

Price per Course: $1,620 Member / $1,800 Non-member

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Instructor: Jay Hoon Park, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor, UMass Lowell, Plastics Engineering Dept.

Jay Park is a 5^th year Assistant Professor in the Plastics Engineering Department at UMass Lowell. His expertise is in polymer processing, extrusion, fiber processing, polymer nanocomposites and multi-scale material manufacturing. Park received his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Cornell University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University. He subsequently held postdoctoral appointments at MIT and U.S. Army Research Lab, where he has gained expertise in high-performance fiber and plastics at both fundamental and application levels. In particular, he has expertise in process optimization of various fiber spinning methods, such as electrospinning, melt spinning, wet-spinning and filament fabrication via FDM. His current research areas are polymer and composite materials which include aerospace and defense application (active funded projects with NASA, DARPA and U.S. Army), smart functional wearables in the form of woven and nonwovens, and multi-material additive manufacturing.