Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association's activities.

Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association

(IRMRA), an autonomous body recognised by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, aims to make available facilities for research and training in various fields of rubber technology. The IRMRA is located at Thane and is equipped with the most sophisticated instruments.

The Association has capabilities of evaluation, characterization, reverse engineering, and the development of rubber and allied materials. It conducts physical tests, chemical tests, speciality tests, and product tests of rubber related materials.

Some of the machines used for these tests include:

1) Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA)- This machine is used to determine the quality of the product under dynamic conditions. These include resistance to dumping, rolling, stress relaxation, and vibration-isolation of the rubber materials.

2) Brabender Plastic order-
The mixing behaviour of rubber compounds in an internal mixer can be monitered with this machine. The parameters like mixing cycle, energy consumption, and extrusion behaviour can also be deternined.

3) GCMS- Organic compounds can be identified and quantified by using this machine . It is useful for reverse engineering.

4) Thermal Analyzer- Rubber compound composition, material purity, and reaction kinetics is tested by this machine.

5) Weather-O-Meter/ Ozone resistence chamber- It is used to study the behaviour of the material under different conditions.

Beside these, IRMRA conducts research and development work on the ozone resistance of unsaturated rubber, high temperature reversion resistance, the improvement of oil and chemical resistance, improvements of various properties like tensile ageing resistence/ compression set/ abrasion resistance/ tear resistance, waste utilization, and the recycling of rubber.

IRMRA also conducts training and technical services for companies like Rites, ONGC, RCF, and Bajaj Auto. The IRMRA has developed products like micro cellular seals made of hypalon rubber, vibration isolators, and shock absorption pads. Product testing is conducted for adhesive, hospital sheets, rubber mounts, cycle tubes and tyre, rubber surgical gloves, hot water bags, seals and diaphragms, safety shoes and foot wear, belts (conveyer/ V type/transmission), and pressure gaskets.

Address: Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association- B-88, Road No-24/U-2, Wagle Ind. Estate, Thane- 400 604, Phone: 581 1348
e-mail- rubberin@bom7.vsnl.net.in
web site- www.irma.org

By :Mahagyany