Rubber group news.

The Akron Rubber Group will hold its Beer Tasting Social Event at the Carovillese Lodge & Club in Akron, OH, on March 22. Further information is available from Cheryl Schnuth [phone]. The ARG will hold its spring technical meeting May 8 at the Martin Center in Akron. OH. The topic of the meeting will be "Performance polymers." Details are available from Dave Frantz [phone]. The ARG celetrated its 75th Anniversary on February 28 with a technical meeting focusing on "Testing and statistics." According to Ben Kastein, ARG historian, the most revered highlight of the 75 years was the introduction of a new synthetic rubber (Duprene/Neoprene) by DuPont chemists on November 2, 1931. At that time. Duprene/Neoprene was priced at $1.05/lb. and natural rubber sold for $.03/lb. Fellowship generated by meetings of the ARG carried over to the close cooperation of area chemists and engineers who produced synthetic rubber to replace natural rubber during World War II, according to Kastein. That achievement was recognized in 1998 with a National Historic Landmark sign dedicated at the Polymer Science Building at the University of Akron. The ARG's 75th Anniversary celebration will continue through 2003.

The Blue Ridge Rubber Group will hold a technical meeting and golf outing May 22 at the Lexington Golf and Country Club in Lexington, VA. Further information is available from Len Orr [phone].

The Chicago Rubber Group and the Wisconsin Rubber Group are sponsoring a course on "The basics of rubber technology," to be held March 3-5 at Chicago Rawhide in Elgin, IL. The course introduction will include the history of rubber and rubber applications. Polymers discussed will include natural rubber. SBR, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, nitrile, polyacrylate, epichlorohydrin, Hypalon, Vamac, polychloroprene, EPDM, butyl, fluoro-elastomers, urethane, silicone and thermoplastic elastomers. Ingredients necessary for formulating a rubber compound will be discussed, including antioxidants, antiozonants, black and non-black fillers, plasticizers, softeners, oils, accelerators and curing agents. Also discussed will be the mixing process and equipment, methods of handling a variety of compounds, methods of forming a rubber part, including molding, extrusion and calendering, rubber-to-metal bonding, test methods, testing instruments, quality control and rubber specifications. Class size will be limited to 50. Further information is available from Bill Gaspar [phone].

The Fort Wayne Rubber & Plastics Group will hold a technical meeting April 17 at Ceruti's in Fort Wayne. IN. Details are available from Karol Johnston [phone].

The Northeast Ohio Rubber Group and the Akron Rubber Group will hold a dinner dance April 5 at the Embassy Suites in Beachwood. OH. Further information is available from Chuck Henry [phone]. The NORG will hold its spring technical and board meeting April 22 at the Casa di Borally in Richmond Heights, OH. Further information is available from Tom McGee [phone].

The Southern Rubber Group will hold a technical meeting and compounder's course at the Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC, March 3-5. Details are available from Robert Gaines [phone].

The Western New York Rubber Group will hold a technical meeting May 20 at the Holiday Inn in Amherst, NY. Further information is available from Jerry Fasolino (716) 691-21411. The WNYRG elected the following officers for 2003: James V. Lipinski, Harwick Standard Distribution, chair; Jerry A. Fasolino, Alternative Rubber & Plastics, vice chair and area director; Allan Starr, Starspec Services, treasurer and secretary; Lou Mattina, Garlock Sealing Technologies, programs director; Curl Mercer, Dunlop Tire, at-large director; Glen Hoffman, Econo Products, at-large director; and Marvin Myhre, CRTD, at-large director.