Smarter Rubber Testing That Contributes to the Rubber Industry's Productivity Gains

This paper reviews the overall technological advances which have resulted in significant improvements in productivity for the rubber industry.  A general review is given on this subject.
Also specific attention is focused on how advances in rubber testing have specifically contributed to the rubber industry’s productivity gains from (1) rationalization of test methods to shorter, more sensitive, more effective methods to replace older “traditional” tests, (2) Automation of various tests, (3) Simplification of test methods in order to move them out of the laboratory and onto the factory floor, and (4) significantly improving statistical test sensitivity which has resulted in large reductions in scrap and rework which reduces total quality costs leading to  productivity gains.