Parameter

Parameters are essential for ensuring the quality, efficiency and reliability of materials and products:

• Quality control: monitoring and compliance with specifications during production.

• Process optimisation: adjusting machines and processes based on the measured parameters.

• Material development: analysing and improving material properties through targeted control of parameters.

• Failure analysis: identifying the causes of deviations or defects.

In the rubber and plastics industry, there are numerous parameters, which are divided into different categories depending on the application:

Material parameters

• Hardness: resistance of a material to deformation (e.g. Shore A for elastomers).

• Elasticity: ability of a material to return to its original shape after stretching.

• Viscosity: flow behaviour of a material, e.g. Mooney viscosity.

• Density: mass per unit volume of the material.

Process parameters

• Temperature: required for processes such as extrusion, vulcanisation or injection moulding.

• Pressure: affects shaping and material quality.

• Speed: control of machines such as extruders or rollers.

• Mixing time: time during which components are homogenised.

Production parameters

• Tolerances: deviations from nominal values, e.g. in dimensions or roughness.

• Surface quality: description of the roughness and smoothness of a product.

• Wall thickness: uniformity of thin-walled components such as hoses.

Parameters are monitored and controlled using specialised equipment and methods:

Mechanical measuring methods

• Hardness testers: determination of Shore hardness.

• Callipers: checking dimensions such as diameters or wall thicknesses.

Optical measuring methods

• Laser scanners: checking shape and geometry.

• Surface measuring instruments: analysis of roughness and smoothness.

Temperature and pressure sensors

• Thermocouples: real-time temperature measurement.

• Pressure sensors: monitoring pressure in extruders or vulcanising presses.

Viscosity measurement

• Rheometers: analysis of the flow behaviour of rubber and plastic compounds.

• Mooney viscometers: determination of the viscosity of uncrosslinked elastomers.

In the rubber and plastics industry, parameters are of central importance at every stage of production:

Mixing

• Parameters: mixing time, temperature, viscosity.

• Objective: homogeneous distribution of components and optimum material properties.

Extrusion

• Parameters: temperature, pressure, speed.

• Objective: precise shaping and even material output.

Vulcanisation

• Parameters: temperature, time, pressure.

• Objective: complete crosslinking and improved mechanical properties.

Quality control

• Parameters: hardness, roughness, dimensional accuracy.

• Objective: ensuring compliance with product specifications.

Despite the importance of parameters, monitoring and controlling them involves challenges:

• Process complexity: interactions between different parameters make optimisation more difficult.

• Measuring accuracy: inaccurate measurements can lead to incorrect analyses.

• Material fluctuations: differences between raw material batches affect the parameters.

• Environmental conditions: temperature and humidity in production can change parameter values.

• Why are parameters important in production? Parameters ensure the quality, consistency and efficiency of materials and processes.

• How are parameters defined? They are set on the basis of product specifications and process requirements.

• Can parameters be adjusted afterwards? Yes, through process optimisation or by changing the material composition.

• Which parameters are most important? That depends on the application: in mixing, for example, viscosity; in vulcanisation, temperature.

Parameters are an indispensable tool for ensuring the quality and consistency of products and processes in the rubber and plastics industry. Through precise definition, measurement and monitoring, companies can optimise their processes, minimise material losses and manufacture high-quality products. Controlling parameters correctly is therefore a key to efficiency and competitiveness.